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Tubbo walks along the trail that leads through the forest and to the other side of town. Earlier he really wanted to hang out with his brothers and go to the park but they said they wanted to hangout with their friends which is just so rude he’s much more important and better than their stupid friends but it’s whatever. They did say they could go together later but he’s bored.

So he left by himself and he’s aware that his aunt Puffy would freak the hell out of she found out he left alone but he’ll be back home before she even realizes, he is very sneaky. He looks up as a butterfly flies past his head he grins before charging after it his little brown tail wagging behind him. He runs quickly down the trail giggling as he spins in circles trying to catch the butterfly, he stops running as another one flies by. He watches the two butterflies flying together, they look like their playing tag, giggling to himself he stops trying to catch the butterfly, instead continuing down the path both the butterflies fly over his head and behind the trees.

He loves bugs especially butterflies or any bug that flies. He keeps on walking, stopping every once and a while to look at bugs or cool plants he picks up a snail and lets it crawl over his hand he sat there for a while watching it until he heard yells from down the tail his ears flick listening to voices they sound young and like their having a good time. He sets the sail down. “Sorry buddy I gotta go” he says to the snail before standing up and walking towards the people he pauses as the two other kid come into view. One of kids runs around with a stick in his hands swinging it around and the other stands off to side “if you hurt yourself, I will say I told you so.” The kid without a stick says, Tubbo walks forward and the stick kid turns to him. 

“Who the hell are you?” He spits “umm, I’m Tubbo” he says pointing to himself “and you?” He asks pointing at the both of them the kid with the stick flips him off before turning to face his friend who looks at his friend then at him and then shrugs and his friend (the one with a stick) kicks the dirt before turning back to face him as the other kid walks over to him, “I’m Ranboo, and u-uh they/them please” he- they, say sounding nervous Tubbo smiles at them “cool! My brothers friend use’s they/them pronouns too, I use he/him by the way” Ranboo beams at that information they tail flicking “that’s cool” they say they look over that their friend “and that’s Tommy he doesn’t like people” Tommy glares at him before walking over to the both of them “you tell us why your in my forest” he snarls his tail flicking very angrily or well he seems anger he just kinda look like he’s pouting. And then he wacks Tubbo in the leg with the stick and it doesn’t really hurt but it was totally uncool. Tubbo frowns and backs up “what the heck man!” He looks down at his leg it’s a little red now he looks up at Tubbo “it’s not your forest bossman and do not hit me again!” he says frowning what’s up with this guy? “Yeah whatever doesn’t matter I live here so it’s mine” “it’s a forest you can’t own it '' he says rolling his eyes. He looks over at Ranboo who seems embarrassed. He pauses as he thinks about what Tommy said “Wait what? you live here here?” He asks surprised leaning towards Tommy who bares his teeth at him “shut up.” 

“Okay then….” he sats mostly to himself. He then gets a good look at Tommy, he looks dirty really like hasn’t showered in a week and I sleep in a pile of mud dirty. And he smells like it too. He has short blonde hair it’s kinda curly and is covered in dirt like absolutely caked in it. He also has two little brown ears pointing out of his hair and a tail to match he wonders how his parents just let him run around in dirt he could be like a pig and you know bathe in dirt. But he knows piglin hybrids who don’t do that so he doesn’t think this Tommy guy would.

Puffy would have his neck if ran around with dirt in his hair or got his clothes covered in dirt but he’s pretty sure he does have dirt on him already.

He huffs looking at Tommy and he actually has dirt all over not just in his hair. His white shirt is barely white anymore and his gray shorts are caked in mud “what’s’ you looking at, never seen a bit of dirt before?” Tom sneers making eye contact with Tubbo, his sky blue eyes piercing through his skull and if looks could kill he’d be a goner. “You alright?” Ranboo asks, tilting their head “yeah I’m good are you two okay?, cause you are like covered in dirt it reminds me of pigs.” Tommy scoffs “Well, fuck you too then, being clean is for losers anyways” he says rolling his eyes mumbling the last part.

“Not really” he says turning to Ranboo he has dirty blonde hair that went down to his mid-back and a muddy gray hoodie on and damn they both really must not know of showers.  And Ranboo only has one shoe which is even weirder than being covered in mud. He looks at his face, he has black and white splotches and freckles and two black and white horns pointing out of his hair and a long fluffy black tail that rests on the ground. He makes eye contact with him and he has green and purple eyes? Didn’t know you can have purple eyes “you two look really weird” he says looking back tommy “well fuck you too then again ” Tommy huffs “Ranboo come here, get away from him” Tommy says frowning at him he shrugs his shoulders as Ranboo walks over to Tommy. 

“you know Tommy is a lame name” Tommy looks at him as Ranboo shakes they head standing behind Tommy “you got a problem with me man?” Tommy asks clearly annoyed “and Tubbo? That’s a dumb name” “at least it’s not Tommy! My aunt says my name is unique!” “Oh, shut up!” Tommy yells Tubbo laughs walking over to Tommy “I’m joking, I think Tommy is an okay name” Tommy raises an eyebrow. “Just okay?” Tubbo grins “not better than Tubbo but it’s up there” he says, Tommy laughs a little bit he still seems a little annoyed “I guess your not that bad” he says and Ranboo grabs Tommy’s arm Tommy looks over at them “we should hang out, the three of us!” Tommy looks at him Tubbo perks up smiling “I know a place he can get food,” he says “yes let’s do that” Tommy says quickly Ranboo nods eagerly. Tubbo grins “let’s go then” he says leading them both into town.

Tubbo leads Tommy and Ranboo to Nikis bakery or well it’s not hers it’s her parents but she makes a lot of the treats so it’s hers.

Tubbo smiles looking behind him at Tommy and Ranboo he remembers the walk to the bakery by heart so he can easily take all the short-cuts so the walk is short. Tubbo pushes open the door holding it open for Tommy and Ranboo Tubbo closes it behind them and it makes a little ding as they all walk in a few customers turn to look at them but they eyes all land on Tommy and Ranboo. Tubbo frowns running up to the counter Jack stand at counter with his back to him.

“Hey!” He shouts at Jack who turns around looking at him “Hey man” he says, looking behind him and frowns slightly “where’s puffy?” He says Tubbo laughs nervously “she might think I’m in my room napping” he says and Jack sighs “I’ll call Dream, to come pick you up” he says “and who’s your friends?” Jack points behind him. “Tommy” Tommy says walking to stand beside him Ranboo stands behind Tommy “well it’s nice to meet you?” Tommy looks up at him “why are you so bald” he says Jack clicks his tongue, “well that’s my cue to leave” he says walking to the back of the bakery. “Niki!” He yells out and Ranboo pulls on Tommy’s arm “Toms, don’t be mean” they say biting their lip Tommy rolls his eyes “yeah, yeah, sorry” he says not sounding very sorry.

Tubbo laughs, looking behind the counter as Niki walks out of the back holding a small container of muffins, and a phone she looks at him gesturing for him and his friends to come the back. Tubbo walks behind the counter Tommy and Ranboo following.

Tubbo, Tommy and Ranboo sit on the couch in the break room each of them eating they own muffins Tommy was holding a bag that had a fresh loaf of bread in it a gift from Niki who had looked very worried and confused when she gave it to him. Tubbo talks happily with Niki as she waits for Dream call Puffy to come pick him up. Niki walks to front of the store and the door opens excusing herself Tubbo looks over Ranbo and Tommy who talk quietly about something.

“Hey, Puffy’s here.” Niki says poking her head in the room Tubbo stands up looking at Tommy and Ranboo again “it was cool hanging with you guys.” He says Tommy looks at him and smiles and Tubbo smiles back. Ranboo leans away from Tommy looking at him but it in general area they don’t make contact with him “w-we should hangout again” they say Tommy shrugs his shoulders and Tubbo nods “okay then, tomorrow let’s meet at the lake at bench by the lake in the park” he says happily.

“Yeah sure” Tommy says grabbing Ranboo’s hand and pulling him to the front of the bakery and Tubbo follows after spotting Puffy who was by the counter she looks very disappointed and Tommy and Ranboo look up at Puffy and Tommy glares up at her before walking past her. Ranboo turns around and waves at him before walking out the bakery. Tubbo smiles as they leave before puffy says her name “Tubbo” Puffy says sternly he stops smiling and laughs nervously “u- umm, I was bored” he says Puffy sighs shaking her head before holding her hand out Tubbo sighs grabbing her hand “yeah, let’s go home, we’re talk in the car” she says.

Puffy holds her hand as she leads them to the car “And just so you know you are so grounded” she says “uggg” he grunts Puffy pats his head “oh, your fine” she says softly. Puffy guides him to the car and gets in the driver seat and he gets in the back, she pulls out the parking lot “so, who’s your friends?” Tubbo perks up.

Chapter Text

If you were to tell Tommy that he would meet a rather annoying boy admittedly almost two hours ago that would end up giving him a full loaf of bread. He would have looked you in the eyes and called you a bitch-ass liar cause first he doesn’t talk to anyone other than Ranboo and why would someone give them free food? But here’s he is. He does in fact have a full loaf bread and it’s still warm, it should last a while when he and boo get back to the cave he stuffs the loaf in his bag to make sure it doesn’t get stolen or let stupid bugs get to it he sits in front of bag staring at the entrance of the cave as the sun starts to set. His tail flicks as Ranboo plops down next to him and grabs their book opening it up and then grabbing probably the dullest pencil ever and starts writing about the day something they always do even if it the most boring day ever. They started doing it around a year after their parents died and they started having memory issues and they foster parents had took them to doctor and it turns out since Ranboo had lost both his moms at such a young age and having really no way to cope with changes as they went from their normal everyday life to a emergency placement right after shitty Foster home they brain just made them forget which caused large grabs in their memory so the doctor suggested they write their days and any important stuff in a notebook.

It wasn’t even a day or two later that Ranboo’s Foster parents were charged with drug use and was quickly taken form ten home which definitely helped them get better when they were thrown into a group home.

Tommy was knocked out of his thoughts by Ranboo leaning their head on his shoulder or on his head being that Ranboo is a tall freak well there only like two inches taller than him but Still! It's an unbelievable betrayal it’s breaks his heart you know what Tommy is going to stick it to man so “fuck you, you tall bean stack” Ranboo just hums and continues to write “okay” they responded after a while.

Tommy huffs not the reaction he was hoping for. He flicks his tail next to Ranboo’s who lets their tail lay over his. It calms him “so whatcha think about Tubbo” they ask and he rolls his eyes “he alright just a stupid little goat not worth my time” Ranboo lifts their head from his shoulder “I'm pretty sure he’s a sheep” Ranboo says “I don’t care what type of hybrid he is. Don’t like him” he growls "he’s the reason, we won’t have to steal for a while” they say and Tommy glances behind him where the bread lays in his bag “okay… I guess he’s not too bad but I’m not gonna be all buddy-buddy with him.”

Ranboo hums nodding along as he speaks they close their book setting off to the side along with their pencil on top of it “if he gives us food then you should at least be nice and hang out with him he probably doesn’t have friends” Tommy laughs shaking his head “damn boo a bit mean there” Ranboo just raises an eyebrow.

“I'm not being mean I’m just saying if he had friends he’d be hanging out with them not with us” they say pausing as their snap their fingers thinking to themselves they look over at him tilting their head “and honestly you two should get along just fine your both loud so you have that in common, bond over it” Tommy rolls his eyes and lets a growl but it’s a playful one no real anger behind it Ranboo gives him an unamused look “your an ass boo you know that” “no.”

They reply looking away from him “I’m tried” they say standing up and walking over to their pile of clothes and laying down and Tommy looks out the cave entrance and at his bag with the bread in it he doubts anyone will steal it. No one knows where this cave is. It’ll be fine. He gets up, walking over to Ranboo and laying down next them, they grab their blanket and pulls it over bkth of them, it barely covers them so they curl up tails entwined Tommy wraps his arms around Ranboo who wraps their arms around his waist the blanket covers both of them.

“I’m not tired” he says, he just wanted to relax for a while but he’s not tired enough to sleep “well I am so shut up” they reply he sighs as Ranboo tucks themselves under his chin squeezing him like a teddy bear. This is gonna be a long night and it’s not even nighttime yet. But Ranboo always seems to want to sleep at the worst times and he won’t sleep unless Tommy’s with them so he’s pretty much trapped.

“sleep well, boo”

“Shut up.”

Chapter Text

Tommy yawns, rolling onto his other side his eyes flutter open then close a couple times he runs a hand through his hair before sitting up and cracking his back cause apparently sleeping on cold hard rock is uncomfortable he looks over to his side. “Boo?” He questions their not next to him which is weird they usually always still asleep when he wakes up he hears a hum from across the cave his head snaps up to Ranboo who sits leaning against the cave wall with tears streaming down their face they smile but it’s obviously forced they sniffle looking at entrance of the cave. “The sun’s rising.” They point towards the cave entrance he looks over to the sun, damn he did fall asleep for a while. He looks back over to Ranboo he realizes they still crying he rushes over sitting next to them.

“Hey, hey, boo what’s wrong?” “Nightmares” “oh” he says he pulls Ranboo to his side “it’s gonna be okay.” They sit like that for a while until he speaks up. “Remember we said we’d hangout with Tubbo” he says wiping the tears Ranboo looks at him “are you sure you’re okay with that?” they ask, Tommy nods standing up and walking over to his bag pulling out the loaf of bread he turns around “breakfast!” He says cheerfully.

——

Tommy and Ranboo sit down on the bench that Tubbo said to meet up at, waiting for him to show up. If he even does it’s not like they made a exact plan or time to meet up just that they will hangout and Tommy had a feeling that he would show, which turns out he was right as he hears Tubbo’s yell form behind them “hey guys” Ranboo was right Tubbo is very loud. He turns around as Tubbo runs up to them a tall boy wearing a green jacket a white mask following after him Tubbo stands next to him “hey Tommy, hey Ranboo” he says smiling Tommy looks behind him “who the hell are you?” He asks the guy behind Tubbo, staring him down.

He has on a bright green jacket and black shorts he seems to be a sheep hybrid like Tubbo. He's also wearing a white mask that covers the bottom of his face which is weird but he won’t judge well he most definitely will judge but he’ll keep his mouth shut. “My name is Tubbo’s brother, and you are the kid who hit my brother with a stick?” He asks but doesn’t really seem to ask. It's more like a statement he’s trying to scare him but Tommy doesn't get scared.

“That would me” he says grinning at Dream who glares at him “stop fighting” he hears Ranboo says from where they now stand right next to him, he sighs “fine” he mumbles “great!” Tubbo grins, speaking up “So, this dream my brother. But that’s not important. What do you want to do?” He asks Tommy just shrugs and looks at Ranboo who also just shrugs.

“I don’t know we usually don’t come into town” “well I think we should go to playground” Ranboo perks up letting out a warble, tail wagging Tommy smiles and nods he hasn’t been to playground in so long. “Let’s go! Leadthe goat boy can lead way” he says looking at Tubbo who laughs and shakes his head “sheep” his little brown ears flick. He sees dream stare at him but he ignores it. He most definitely pissed him off he trails behind Tubbo and Ranboo with Dream at the back he turns around quickly flipping him off and turning right back around running over Tubbo and Ranboo so that he walks right beside them.

“Why are you two still wearing the same clothes you were wearing yesterday?” Tubbo asks after they had been walking for a while in silence “why not?” “your clothes are dirty” “so? why change into clean clothes just to get those dirty” he says rolling his eyes “do you not wash your clothes?” Tubbo asks “you ask way too many questions” he says looking over at Tubbo “okay not my fault” “whose fault is it then?” “Not mine” Tommy gives Tubbo a pointed look “why are you like this” Ranboo says “we’re here” Dream says from behind Tommy looks at him “what? go play” he says “you're a weird guy ""okay” Dream says rolling his eyes Tommy runs across the street with Tubbo and Ranboo following after. Tommy runs straight to the swings hopping on the seat kicking his legs. Tommy smiles. It's a nice feeling, his hair blowing in the wind “Ranboo! Come swing with me” he called out and they slid down the slide running over to him and sitting down on the swing next to him. He looked up at him as Tommy swung higher “your going so fast and high toms!” Ranboo says as start kicking his legs Tommy smiles “Tubbo you gonna join us” Ranboo calls out and Tubbo runs over to them “are you sure?” Tubbo says looking over at him “yeah… it’s whatever” he said trailing off.

Tubbo gets on the swing kicking his legs rather fast Tommy laughs he looks so stupid “chill out man you're going to kick someone he says looking at some of the other kids on the playground it’s good that no one else was on the swings so they got them all to themselves “Dream!” he hears Tubbo yell “ oh just leave him over there!” he shouts at him but he doesn’t care for Tubbo he doesn’t want Tubbo’s stupid brother over here annoying them. Dream clearly doesn’t like him so he would probably push him off the swing and he doesn’t want to get off the swing because he can see a little kid eyeing the swings since theirs only three of them, well theres one baby swing but no one’s using that. He’s not about let some little brat take his swing so he just stares at the kid until she looks away. He grins in victory, looking back over at Tubbo who has Dream pushing him now. Great. 

“Wow, your such a baby can’t even push your own swing” Tubbo just sticks his tongue out which Tommy does right back he is not backing down. He flips Tubbo off who flips him off which get a reaction out of dream who scolds him after he stopped laughing of course. Tubbo mumbles an apology but he doesn’t seem at least one bit sorry and just goes back to swinging with Dream still pushing him he opens his mouth to say something but dream shots him look and Tommy doesn’t get scared and he’s not right now. But he knows when he’s about past a limit and seems like Dreams is at its end meets today, he’ll give it thirty minutes before he goes to usual chaos.

He looks over at Ranboo who is staring out in front of a blank face making them look a little….disturbed? But to him who knows they're just lost in thought and enjoying the swings, Ranboo loves to swing. They told him that their moms used to take them to the playground by their house after school and it was the one that no one really played on. So it was usually just them and they would swing for hours and hours before going home.

Tommy still remembers the day Ranboo remembered that they had cried for hours which Tommy had very much panicked over as any time he wiped their tears his hands came back with blood on them he looks at Ranboo they had been crying early but it didn’t bleed or anything just a little burn and Tommy and wiped their tears away with a shirt before they could cause much damage. 

“I’m hungry” Tubbo says and Ranboo looks over at Tubbo “me too” they say and Tommy arggres “let’s go to my house” Tubbo says hopping of the swing and barley lands on both Dream sighs a long and loud and rather unnecessary sigh “your gonna hurt yourself on day and I will laugh” he says walking over to Tubbo who ignores him turning to him and Ranboo “your guys coming” Ranboo starts walking towards Tubbo he grabs their hand as he hops off the swing

“sorry!,” he says way to quickly it seems suspicious “we u-um can’t do that we have to go home” Ranboo looks at opening their mouth to protest but he slaps hand over their mouth “are parents said that we need to be home for lunch” Ranboo sends him a confused look and Tommy just drags them away as he walks past Tubbo and Dream or while tries to but Dream grabs his arm and Tommy’s not he’s not scared he’s not scared he’s not scared he’s not scared he’s not scared he’s not scared he’s not scared he’s not scared he’s not scared he’s not scared scared he’s not scared he’s not scared-

“Hey kiddo” he hears snapping him out of his thoughts he jumps bumping into Ranboo who pulls him away from Dream who seems concerned “sorry Tommy didn’t mean scare you” he says softly which really snaps him out his thoughts “I’m NOT SCARED!” He shouts, staring at Dream, who holds his hands up to show he won’t touch Tommy again “are you alright Tommy” Tubbo says “m’ fine” he says it’s true he thinks.

“okay.. I just wanted to know if it you wanted me to walk you two home” dream says looking in between Tommy and Ranboo he lowers his hands shoving them in his pockets Ranboo shakes his head no “you sure I could call your parents” Ranboo shakes his head again “we gotta go now” they say pulling Tommy as fast as they could they walk in silence until they are in the forest and at their cave they sit at the entrance

“Tommy, why would you do that?” Ranboo asks looking at him “I had to, they wanted us to go to their house, that is too risky” he says “why!?” Ranboo asks clearly mad “cause if went their house then we meet Puffy who’s an adult who might find them we’re homeless and then send us back to a fucking foster home and we might be separated do you want that Ranboo! Do you?” He snaps glaring at Ranboo “n-no I-I don-d-don’t know.. n-no I don’t want that” Ranboo says stumbling over they words “either do I” he says looking over at Ranboo “sorry” Ranboo shakes his head “it’s fine” they say “just hungry” they continue he smiles standing going over to bag and getting out the bread “lunch?” He says Ranboo smiles “lunch.”

Chapter Text

Ranboo stares at the ceiling of the cave it’s night but he can’t sleep he looks over at Tommy who is sleeping next to him snoring away they sigh sitting up. He shivers as the blanket falls off their upper chest he wraps their arms around themselves, and they stand up shivering again walking out of the cave he stands at the entrance looking up at the sky they can see the stars. They smile it’s been about four days since they last saw Tubbo or his brother Dream Tommy was a little shaken up by Dream grabbing his arm they don’t think they had ever seen Tommy so scared. Tommy had always been good at hiding his emotions, not that is a good thing but it surprised them and it wasn’t completely obvious that he was scared at the time as his face was just blank a slight glare in his eyes as he looked up at Dream but he was shaking and you could tell and they know Dream noticed as he seemed rather concerned about Tommy and well Ranboo had become much more eager to get out of there. 

 They spent most of the last week sleeping and only waking up to eat but Tommy said that they couldn’t just shut down anytime something slightly bad happens or changes cause it’s not healthy and they are not even sure what he means by that. Ranboo is very healthy. Well that’s not even remotely true he is probably really skinny or something they see the way people look at them when Tommy and them used to go into town

but they will probably never go into town again or see Tubbo all because of Tommy! 

They sit down and dig their nails into their legs and resting their head on their knees, pain shoots through their legs but he’s used to the pain or not used to it really but they want it to hurt so they don’t care. They clasp their hands together as they lay back looking up at the sky and cracking their knuckles and fidgeting with their fingers they guess they can’t blame Tommy for this he was just scared they get that but they miss Tubbo. They know they’ve only known him for two days but it felt like they got along so well. 

”Boo? What are you doing up?” they turn around as Tommy walks up to them rubbing his eyes “I couldn’t sleep” “Oh” “why didn’t you wake me up? I could’ve helped,” he says walking over to them and sitting down next to them they just shrug their shoulders and Tommy sighs “you still upset about last week” “yes I…thought that we might finally have a new friend, you know,” they said looking over at Tommy who looked at them “I’m sorry i-“ “I know toms, I know,” they said smiling at him and squeezing his shoulder they walked over to the spot where they usually sleep. 

They lay down resting their head on the pile of clothes that they use as a pillow they yawn Tommy stands up laying down next to them wrapping his arms around them they turn around facing away from him Tommy sighs pulling the blanket over the both of them.

————

“Wake up boo” Ranboo turns over burying their head into his shirt “Ranboo you are crushing me!” They sigh, pushing themselves off Tommy and flopping back onto their back. “Owww ” they mumble sleeping on the floor hurts. They sit up looking over at Tommy who flips them off “What’s that’s for” “It’s food time” “You mean breakfast?” Tommy waves them off once again. Flipping them off. They starting think that’s Tommy’s only come back. They stand up and walk over to Tommy’s bag pulling out the loaf of bread it's a quarter of the way gone and they are going to need more food soon. Soon Tommy walks over to them snatching the bread out of their hands

“Hey!” Tommy growled and glares at Ranboo. “My bread now.”  

They roll their eyes “sharing is caring toms” Tommy looks at them “What are you five?” He says smiling at them. “No I’m not a baby,” they say pouting. “Suree, you're not” Ranboo punches Tommy's shoulder and smacks him in the face with their tail Tommy growls at them his ears flicking “Shut up,” they say grabbing the bread out his hands and using their hands to tear two pieces of bread passing one to Tommy. “Are you alright?” Tommy asks after a while. They shrug their shoulders and take a bite of bread. Honestly, they're fine, a bit tired and a little upset about last week but honestly, they can move on.

They continue eating, stuffing their face with bread “I’m gonna go on a walk” they say “Oh? You want me to come.” “Nah, I’m going to go the lake for some water” “bring the bottle and fill it up” they nod picking up the water bottle that they both use they fill up lake water to drink even if it tastes gross they walk out the cave taking the trail that leads to the lake the same on their meet Tubbo at they walk down the trail listening for people they tail drags on the ground behind them. They are alert just like Tommy taught them they are also kinda of hoping that Tubbo might pop up and they are in luck because the sound of Tubbo’s voice snaps them out of their thoughts their head snaps up from where they are staring at the ground “Tubbo?” They say Tubbo stands in front he grins running over to them and hugging them well more like squeezing the air out of them. 

“I missed you Ran!” He shouts happily “Me t-too” Tubbo lets them go they smile at him “Where’s Tommy?” He asks “Oh u-um he’s back at the ca- home he’s back at home,” they say Tubbo frowns a little before perking back up “It’s a good thing I found you I have something cool to show you!” “Really?” “Yuppie” Tubbo says smiling, grabbing their hand and pulling them down the trail. “W-wait should we like go get Tommy” Tubbo looks at them funny.  

“You said he was at home?” they nod “then he must be in trouble if your parents let you out and not him” “what if he wanted to stay home?” they mumble “did he?” “Yes” “you two seem close so I guessed that you two stay together all the time” “we do.. most of the time”  they reply they walk a little while until they are in town. Their nerves rise, they walk down the sidewalk, and people send them looks, weirded-out looks, it’s that face people make when they smell something bad and Ranboo knows they look bad maybe even a little messed up but don’t smell but they walk with their head low to avoid attention. 

“We made it, here’s my house” Tubbo says, letting go of their hand, their tail flicking nervously; they're not supposed to be here, they can hear Tommy’s warning. 

If we went to their house and then we meet Puffy who’s an adult who might find we’re homeless and then send us back to a fucking foster home and we might be separated do you want that Ranboo! do you?” 

“Auntie!” Tubbo shouts they look up when they get inside. They take a deep breath before looking around the house to see if they had to run, and how they’d get out the quickest. There’s a door in the living room leading to the backyard they can see a fence they can hop a fence Tommy taught them how “in here dear!” Tubbos aunt calls They follow after Tubbo who rushes into the kitchen “where did you run off to?” she asks “um I found my friend” Tubbo’s aunt looks at Tubbo then at them “hey kiddo you must be ranboo?” They nod their head yes she smiles “Tubbo and dream a lot to say about you” they stare at the ground “that’s cool” they say not they don't know how to respond this is why they hate talking. “Are you alright kiddo?” She asks “fine- just Tubbo said he wanted to show me something cool” Tubbo perks up walks over to the counter and stands on the stool he was shorter than the counter and he was just short in general. Ranboo walks over to him standing on their tiptoes.   

Tubbo showed a plate of cookies with bees made of frosting on them “I made these” Ranboo smiled “cool, I like them” Tubbo handed them one “try it” he said and they took a bite of the cookie standing flat on their feet “it’s good” they say mouth full. “No talking with your mouth full,” Tubbo’s aunt says they look Puffy “m’ sorry miss” Puffy laughs slightly “it’s okay kid, and please call puffy” “ok miss Puffy” “no just Puffy, kiddo.” They nod shoving the rest cookie in their mouth “hey Tubbo, why don’t you go look for Dream and foolish so they can help decorate” Tubbo got off the stool and walked upstairs shouting for his brothers “you sit down kiddo” Puffy said pointing at the stool they sat down just look at counter. 

“Are you alright kid” he looks up at her “I know I already asked but I’m concerned and you're all covered in dirt kiddo, and usually parents don’t let their kids run around in dirt” “they don’t care, or well t-th- they care it’s just that their busy” damn, they even messed up their lie. “it’s alright kid” they look over at the plate of cookie but Ranboo’s not sure if they are allowed to take another cookie “I-I’m fine” “so I guess your parents don’t know you're here?” “umm-“ they laugh nervously. “That’s a no, I’m taking” Ranboo opens their mouth to say something it’s not like they could tell her that they have no parents and live in a cave.  

“Hey , it’s alright kid” they look up taking a deep breath and squeezing their hands closed “okay” they say looking at the plate of cookies they really want another one but they are not sure if they are allowed to have more puffy laughs “you can have more kiddo” “really?” Puffy smiles, shaking her head “of course you can” they grab the plate picking up a cookie that had a little bee on it the bee had no wings but they liked it they took a bite. 

They stuff another in their mouth as Tubbo comes running down the stairs with Dream and Foolish behind him they walk into the kitchen Dream smiles at them “hey Ranboo didn’t know you were you here” they wave looking over at Foolish they guess. Weird name “hey man” they smile “um you want a cookie?” they say pointing at the plate it only has three cookies left “you ate them all!” Tubbo shouts walking over to their side Ranboo “sorry” they say sheepishly. 

“auntie, Ranboo-“ Tubbo’s cut off by knocking Ranboo’s head snaps to the front door “who’s that?” Foolish asks looking at Puffy “probably a package” she says walking to the door Dream walks over to them picking up Tubbo and setting him on the counter and then leaving against it. “So where’s Tommy?” Dream asked, “umm-” “right here!” They hear Tommy shout running under Puffys legs they hop off the stool running over to Tommy “Tommy you're here!” Tommy wraps his arms around them, squeezing them tight. They rest their head on his shoulder.  

Tommy pushes them back slightly, squeezing their arms “I thought you were only going to the lake?” “I was” “Then why are you here?” He asks “Tubbo” they say shrugging their shoulders Tommy looks behind him letting them go “oh” he says he didn’t sound happy “we have cookies” Tommy’s frown drops from his face “cookies, where?” He walks over to Tubbo grabbing a cookie “nice it’s bee” “a Minecraft bee actually” “don’t care” he says rolling his eyes “ Tommy ” Ranboo warns going over to him “don’t be a meanie” “I wasn’t being mean” he whined “well it’s nice to meet you Tommy'' puffy said closing the front door and walking into the kitchen Tommy looked up at her staring her down. “cool” he finally said “anyways me and Ranboo should leave'' Tommy said grabbing Ranboo’s hand and pulling towards door “wait I’m about make dinner” Tommy stopped looking over at them “food” they whispered they both turned around “turns out we can stay…for a while.” 

Tubbo walked over to them “let me show you my room” “okay” Tommy said following Tubbo upstairs Ranboo but stopped at the top Tommy and Tubbo looked back at them “you good boo” Tommy asks “I’m fine ‘j-just I need to get something from downstairs” “be quick” Tommy said as he Tubbo continued into Tubbo’s room they turned back they didn’t forget but they can puffy, dream and foolish talking they wanna what. They walked downstairs stopping on the third step at the bottom and listened, good thing: they have elf-like ears. Makes it easy to listen.

“You right Dream something’s up” Puffy said she sounds worried “I know they're even dirtier than last time I saw them both so dirty and their clothes are torn.”They’re talking about them and Tommy “we should let them stay the night” Foolish says “maybe offer a bath too” Puffy says “we should, obviously their parents aren’t going to take care of them” “dream-“ “no mum, these kids are clearly neglected and probably abused Tommy is so goddam jumpy no matter how good he can hide it which he shouldn’t be able to mask his fear like that he’s li-like wha-w what seven he’s only a kid and-” 

They didn’t hear the rest of what Dream had said as they rushed up the stairs as quietly as possible and into Tubbo’s room rushing over to Tommy and ramming into him. He looks at them confused “what’s wrong” “noth-both it’ j-just -you said be quick and the hal-hallway is really dark” they say stumbling over their words more than usual that’s been happening lately it’s a nervous thing and they’ve been nervous lately. 

Tommy burst out laughing making Tubbo laugh who sat on the floor next to a basket of toys “you are such a baby” Tommy said “shut up” they whispered Tommy and barely heard it Ranboo sat down next to Tubbo. Tommy comes to join them and Tommy and Tubbo talk for a while before playfully fighting like usual. They look around Tubbo’s room’s square his bed in the corner with a dresser across from it with a TV on it which is amazing they’ve never had a TV in their room before not even their moms let them have a TV in their room. Always saying that they were too to young have one and their foster parents said it was too expensive.

They look across from Tubbos bed where Tommy and Tubbo sit in the corner by Tubbo's toys they seem to be arguing about bees they walk back over sitting beside Tommy “I like your room” Tubbo smiles “thanks! I decorated it myself” he says pointing at the pictures on the wall “I drew them myself” “cool” Tommy says and Tubbo just stares at Tommy “is that all you say” “no” Tommy says laughing “just don’t anything say to you” he scoffs and Ranboo can tell Tubbo is getting annoyed. Tubbo’s ears flick up and he lunges towards Tommy and Ranboo pushes themselves out of way as Tubbo and Tommy wrestle on floor Tommy hisses at Tubbo who pulls his hair Ranboo sits there speechless but not surprised it’s not the first time Tommy picked a fight. 

They turn around at the sound of footsteps and Puffy walks into the room and instantly rushes over Tommy and Tubbo pulling them “boy, boys!Stop!” She says pushing Tubbo back behind her “Tommy, kiddo calm down” Tommy growls at her extending his claws and trying to swipe at her but Puffy grabs his hand and gently pushes it away “calm down kiddo,” she says “can you breath for me kid” she asks Tommy curls into burying his head in between his knees but takes a deep breath puffy nods “great job Tommy, keep doing that” she looks at Tubbo and she doesn’t look happy “go downstairs Tubbo” Tubbo nods walking out the room she turns to look at them “you alright Ranboo?”

“I’m fine” they get up going over to Tommy who looks up at them and then sits beside him Tommy grabs them pulling them to his chest “It’s alright bubba” they say squeezing his hand they look at Puffy who smiles “I ordered pizza if you guys want some” Tommy nods “you can eat it up here” Ranboo shifts in Tommy’s hold “and you could stay the night, a sleepover? And maybe you could take a bath” she says and Ranboo knows Tommy’s about reject but they cut him off “sure thing.”

Tommy relaxes as Puffy leaves the room “I’m sorry boo” Tommy says softly “it’s fine” “okay, m’ hungry” he says “Puffy is getting us food” they say just as Puffy comes into the room with two plates setting them down in front of both of them “come tell me when one of you wants to take a bath” she says smiling Ranboo nods before moving out Tommy’s arms sitting beside him picking up the slice of pizza. 

After Tommy and Ranboo both showered and changed into some of Tubbo’s PJs and they felt better, better then they had felt in a long time. They can actually touch their hair without getting a handful mud and they can actually see Tommy’s hair color it’s a golden blonde and it makes him smile they look over at Tommy then at Tubbo the three of them lay down on Tubbo’s bed with them in middle Tubbo on the right Tommy and left “if you two are going to fight, don’t” they say Tommy’s whine kicking his feet “but I wanna punch him in the face” “I’m right here” Tubbo says sitting up slightly and sticking his tongue out at Tommy who growls but doesn’t hit Tubbo even tho he wants to. They roll onto their side pulling Tommy to their chest “what are you doing?” Tommy asks squirming in their arms “making sure you don’t kill anyone” they say and Tommy sighs burying his head into their shoulder “we need leave before they all wake up” they frown slightly, and Tommy holds Ranboo tighter. 

And when puffy walked when to wake them all up she only found Tubbo and note left Ranboo of course Tommy wouldn’t care enough to leave a note.  

———

Hey puffy soriy we can’t stay but we need to go home thsnk for the clothes and food and nice sleep too I hope you see you later 

-ran and tom 

———

Chapter Text

Ranboo stares at now empty bag that used to have a loaf of bread in it “I guess we’re going to starve now” they say “no we’re gonna go steal some shit” they over at Tommy “noo I hate stealing it makes me feel bad” they whine throwing their head back “your to nice for your own good” Tommy says shaking his head “or maybe you should get some morals” “I don’t know what that means” they shrug their shoulders “stealing time it is” Tommy says standing up and walking out the cave they follow “we can puffy for food” they suggest they haven’t seen Tubbo for a couple of days since they left early morning before anyone woke up they bite their lip Tommy stops walking “Ranboo what’s the number one rule” “never trust anyone especially adults” “exactly” Tommy says “puffy an adult” he says frowning and continues walking down the trail that leads to town.

They sigh looking around “so where we stealing from” they ask Tommy looks over at them smiling “well we’ll stealing money than food” Tommy says laughing “so we’re pickpocketing” they said ”yup!, and don’t worry I’ll get money the you hide then make a run for it” they nod still bit nervous they get to town and Tommy stops standing on the sidewalk “wait here I see a very rich looking guy” they grab Tommy’s arm “be careful please” they look Tommy in eyes he huffs tail flicking “I’ll be fine boo I promise” he smile a them, they relax letting Tommy’s arm go “I promise” he says before walking across street pulling his hoodie up.

Tommy will be fine. they tell themselves fidgeting with their hair they both did this before just not in broad daylight. Tommy was not fine.

————

Ranboo turns back around as they hear Tommy scream; they watch in fear as the man that tried to steal from him picks up by the ear “what do you think your doing” the man shouts Ranboo looks around as people grasp at the sight yet do nothing to stop it the man drops on ground and Ranboo runs across the street as. The man kicks Tommy in the side repeatedly “what are doing!” They yell running over, dropping down next to Tommy and pulling him to their chest or trying to because the man grabs Tommy by the arm slamming him into the ground behind him “stop!” They shout as tears start streaming down their face “sto-p we're so-sorry,please don’t hurt him” the man looks him up and “you kids needed to taught a lesson” he says before he grins “you know I kill kids like you” Ranboo backs up “I used to hunt down hybrid families take the kids kill the parents used the kids as tools, experiments find out what made out what made you guys tick” the man comes closer so real up in face he smiles it horrifying all teeth no emotion.

“I miss those days” he turns around as Tommy sits up he know has blood running a cut right above his eyebrow it’s big and it’s gushing down his face and Ranboo wants to run to him and help him, help him stop the blood up their feet feel frozen to ground they want to but can’t the tears keep coming as Tommy looks as them “Ranb-“ the man kicks Tommy in head Tommy falls back down and that’s all it takes as Ranboo rushes forward.

Ranboo pulled Tommy to their chest wrapping they arms around watching as the man walks away the people around them stare they pull Tommy close picking him up they stand up wobbling a little they need to find someone to help they walk down sidewalk in a bit of a daze until their end up in a neighborhood they pause sniffing Tommy shifts resting his head on their shoulder “g-god Tom your an idiot” they say holding him tighter they look to the right a house has its lights on so their obviously home they look back at Tommy he’s getting pale.

They rush over to the house putting Tommy down on the porch Tommy grunts reaching a hand out Ranboo grabs his hand “your be okay toms I promise” they kiss Tommys hand standing up and walking over to the door and knocking on the twice before he turns and runs around the corner of the house hiding by the bush next to the porch.

The door opens and a blonde man steps out and looks down at Tommy “oh god” the guy says picking Tommy up “Techno, will, come here!” He shouts, closing the door they sniffle their cheeks burn from the tears that still stream down their face the stand up stalking into the forest they don’t believe in god but they pray that Tommy will be okay.

Chapter Text

Tommy grunts rolling onto side but instantly rolls back into back as pain shoots up his body “holy shit” he said god why did everything hurt he moved his hand he was a soft surface which is new cause he sleeps in a fucking cave he tries sit up but a hand gently pushes him back down “hey, hey it’s okay, you're okay” someone said somewhere next to him he pulled his eyes open squinting, “who the hell are you?” He asks narrowing his eyes at the guy who’s sitting on the bed.

“I’m Phil” Tommy looks at him confused before looking around he’s in room it’s nice he’s in bed he has bandages on his side and around his head he looks over at the Phil guy “why am I here, and where’s Ranboo?” He asks moving away from him as well as he can. “Well you randomly showed up on our porch bleeding so we took you in and patched you up” he said calmly frowning slightly “I’m not sure who Ranboo” he said thoughtfully.

Tommy frowns “I need to leave” he said once again trying to sit up but Phil pushes him back down “you are in no shape to leave kidddo” Tommy growls as his tail slashes behind him “hey I know this must be scary but your safe here alright” Tommy laughs “yeah right that’s what they all say” he bears his teeth at phill trying to scare him off maybe he’ll kick him out and can find Ranboo they probably so scared they don’t do good alone “you can’t trap me here” he says staring at Phil “that’s kidnapping which is just lame” Phill sighs “your trapped here and your injured so can’t leave in until you heal” Phil says patting his leg “I also need you answer some questions” “no” phil looks at Tommy and raises an eyebrow.

Tommy throws his head back “fine” he says “I’ll answer your stupid questions” he says rolling his eyes “okay, who hurt you” Tommy opened his mouth to say something closed it again “some guy” he said lowering his head “I don’t know- I-I can’t remember” “that’s okay what about your parents” Phil asked smiling at him Tommy froze what is he meant to say his parents? Good as dead, well they are dead “your parents are dead?” Phil asks Tommy’s eyes to snap to Phil “what, did I say that out loud” Phil nodded “so you're in foster care” Tommy shrugs his shoulders “I’m done answering things” “okay that’s fine” Phil says standing up.

“Are you hungry?” He asks walking over to the door Tommy nods grunting as pain rings in his head “yeah” “One sandwich it is then” Phil smiled walking out the room leaving Tommy alone with his thoughts which is never a good idea he can’t stop thinking about Ranboo being alone in the forest with no food and no one they to help them he lays down completely looking up at the ceiling “hey kiddo” he looks over at the door Phil holding a plate “got some food” he says walking to him setting the plate down with glass of water on the nightstand next to the bed “when your done eating try to get some more sleep” he said patting his arm “thanks” he whispers looking at plate as phil walks out the room closing the door.

Tommy wakes up again the next morning still in pain he yawns grunting as he pushes himself up leaning against the back of bed “I think I hurt more than yesterday” he says grunting “you’re a bit banged up” someone says he looks over at the door a brown hair guy stands in door he walks into the room sitting down on the bed he smiles at Tommy “who the fuck are you” he growls “oh!I'm Wilbur but you can call me will” he says happily Tommy already hates him. He looks at Wilbur, he has brown hair and round red glasses, he looks like a nerd, and his name’s Wilbur?, what a stupid name, he rolls his eyes “I couldn’t care less about your name, I care about leaving, now.” “Dad says you're still too hurt,” he grits his teeth, closing his eyes trying to ignore the situation around him.

He opens his eyes again as he hears an oink? It sounds oink and laugh mixed together, Wilbur looks away “you didn’t hear that” he says “I definitely did, and are you laughing at me?” He asks looking Wilbur over again his ears are pointy and he has a fluffy pink tail that touches the floor “your a pig” he says Wilbur’s mouth opens then closes “rude” he mutters blowing his bangs out of face “I'm a piglin actually” he says smiling Tommy rolls his eyes “you smile to much” “and you don’t smile enough.” He says “I don’t like you, you know” he sits up straighter “you know I have to leave eventually” he says “well you can’t leave your still hurt, and Phil still has to call a social worker Tommy sits up practically jumping out the bed.

“You can’t do that please,please do-d-“ he sobbed trying to take a deep breath he thinks he’s hyperventilating trying not to cry with the sudden panic that exploded through his chest “please don’t make go back please” Wilbur moves over to him his hands hovering above him like he’s not sure he should touch him “hey kiddo it’s okay no one’s going to hurt you” he says touching his shoulder Tommy jumps looking at him “breath just breath” Tommy takes a deep breath
“I-I’m sor-rry please d-don’t call anyone” he said the tears spilling from his eyes Wilbur lifted a hand up wiping his tears away “it’s alright” Wilbur said softly Tommy sniffled looking at the blankets on the bed “I want to get out of bed” he said “yeah okay” Wilbur said picking him up placing him on his hip and wrapping arms around him he rests his head on Wilbur’s shoulder.

Wilbur walks out the room and downstairs he stops at bottom of stairs walking into the living room setting him down on the couch he looks up at Wilbur he smiles “you want breakfast” he nods Wilbur nods back then runs up the stairs “where you going” he shouts after him a while Wilbur comes back with another person beside him they both walk over
to him “this is my brother technoblade!” Wilbur said pointing at the pink haired piglin he looks like Wilbur but with long pink hair in a fancy braid and round gold glasses he likes it “so it turns out dad’s going to get McDonald’s for breakfast” “okay when is he going to come back” Wilbur shrugged his shoulders sitting down next to him technoblade sat on other side Tommy turns to him “your is technoblade” techno nodded “what’s with your guys names” he laughs he hears technobabble grunt “just call me techno kid” “okay” he says.

Later while they were all eating at the table with techno and Wilbur on each side of him and Phil across from him he takes a deep breath grabbing his orange and taking a sip he clears his throat all eyes turn to him conversation dying down “everything alright” he nods “my names Tommy” he says quietly Phil smiles “well Tommy it’s nice to have you here.”

Chapter Text

Ranboo opens another dresser drawer taking out some clothes and stuffing it in a backpack just like Tommy told them to grab a blanket off the bed and put it in the backpack. They zip the backpack looking over at Tommy, who is also putting clothes in a bag and snacks he stole from the pantry he turned to them throwing a jacket at them “put it on” he said zipping his bag up and throwing it over his shoulder they put on their jacket zipping it up and putting their backpack on.

Tommy takes their hand pulling them out the room they walk downstairs stopping at the bottom Tommy moves his ears listening “bubba what are we doing” Tommy looked at them “running away” he grunted pulling them closer “why?” Tommy looked at them 

“Because I hate it here” he said walking over to the front door Ranboo follows Tommy there's a padlock on the door Tommy turns to them “use your teeth to open it” he said pointing at the lock Ranboo stepped forward opening his mouth and biting the lock. 

Ranboo ripped the lock off the door spitting it on the floor “it’ tastes so nasty” they said sticking their tounge out Tommy laughs quietly opening the door and they both stepped out they looked over at Tommy they eyes tracing the bruises on his face the bruises Tommy got from yelling at their foster parents for them Tommy looked at them smiling “you ready go boo'' they nodded and both walked down the sidewalk it must have been a funny sight to see to two kids in the middle of the night walking alone. They hummed to themselves thinking “so where are we going?” Tommy Stops walking “umm I-I  don’t know” “we’re find someplace .” 

————

Ranboo sits by the lake staring at the flow of water there, is some people on the other side of the bank they can’t help but feel jealous of how fun their all are having and they sit here alone worrying if Tommy is okay they stare at the water they it would feel nice nice to take a swim to forget everything it is the only lake they can swim in since it’s salt water which us safe to them water that doesn’t have lots of salt burn them they can remember only somewhat with they bad memory but they foster parents at the group home used burn them with water as a puhsminet they can hear they laughs. 

They cover their ears, stick their fingers in their ears and pull their knees to their chest. They rest their head on their knees smiling quite well. It's not fully quiet but it’s dull just how they like it.

They were so distracted that they didn’t hear the footsteps coming up to them “ hey, kiddo you okay?” Ranboo looks up at them “I-I I’m-“ they cut themselves off shrugging their shoulders and the person kneels next to them “are you lost?” They frown slightly, looking away from the person and staring at the ground they’re not lost. The person puts a hand on their shoulder “where do you live kid can I take you there” they look at the person again nodding as the person stands giving them a hand they take it. 

The person drives them into town and into a neighborhood “is this it?” The person asks they nod opening the door and getting out the car ranboo the person gets out to the car walking to the front door of the house they follow as the person knocks on the door they rock back on feet from they heel to toes nervously the door opens and behind it is puffy d so he smiles looking over at them “ hey Ranboo” she says softly her ears just like Tubbo’s and dream Ranboo opens their mouth to say something but nothing comes out they break and run towards her burying they face in her chest sobbing 

They couldn’t stop the tears they just keep coming streaming down their face it burns they grip the back of her shirt “oh, oh kiddo” she picked them up they sobbed into into her neck she turned to the person “thank you for bringing them here” “of course” they respond she closes the door she lays a kiss on their forehead and rubbing they back “what happened Ranboo” she asks calmly swaying them back and forth. 

“ I-I I’m- Toms ” they said, shaking at the thought of Tommy at that house all alone, maybe even more hurt than before “what happened to Tommy?” Puffy asked they pulled they head back from where it was buried in her shoulder “h-he got hurt- hurt and I left h-h” they stop talking taking a deep but it didn’t help they heart was beating so fast and it scared them puffy wipe their tears from they face “can you take two deep breaths for me” they closed their eyes taking a deep breath exhaling then another. 

“Great job Ranboo, can you just keep doing” puffy said they nodded taking a deep breath two at a time until they breathing normally and they heart wasn’t beating to loud “you did good” puffys says softly rubbing they back they rests they head on her shoulder again “I miss Tommy” they say sadly “you said Tommy is hurt how did he get hurt” she asked walking over to couch and setting them down then she sat down beside them they curled into her side and she wrapped an arm around them “n-no gu- guy did and  I left Tommy at a random house so they could help him” puffy frowned and they panicked she’s mad at them they messed up they knew they shouldn’t have left Tommy he would never leave them their so stupid. 

They hit themselves in head not sure how to deal with the emotions they feeling they curl in on themselves trying to hide in puffys side but she a hand through their hair using the other hand to grab they wrist gently and holding it then setting it on they lap they squeeze their hands close “ hey, hey , don’t hit yourself kiddo alright, I know your probably dealing with a lot and don’t know what to do but you can’t hit yourself it starts bad habits” she says gently patting they head before standing up “I’ll be right back” she says running upstairs and coming back down with a box with some stuff in it puffy walks over to the couch sitting down and setting the box in between them both “w-what’s that” they said “it’s some fidget toys” puffy said passing the box to them. 

They look through the box “these are all for me?” They asked looking up at puffy “yes, you can choose whatever you want” she says smiling at them they look back at the box digging through it they take out a ball with a net around it they squeeze it it makes a pop sound and bubbles squeezes out the holes in the net they use it both hands to squeeze it they up at puffy smiling “what’s this?” They ask “it's a mesh ball, I’m guessing you like it” they nod leaning back into the couch and squeezing the mesh ball “you hungry kiddo?” She asks they nod puffy smiles then grabbing a remote and turning the tv on before passing it to them.

“You can watch whatever you what” they look at the remote “okay” they say searching for something to watch they end up clicking on a random channel they watch a show for a while until they hear footsteps coming down the stairs they look over the back of couch it’s Tubbo they perk up they tail wagging “hey Tubbo!” They say Tubbo looks at them running over to them and sitting next to them. 

“I didn’t know you were here?” He said his ears flicking in confusion “I just got here” they say shrugging their shoulders “and you’ve been crying” he said pointing at they face they wipe at they face they no longer crying but they face hurts they didn’t cry enough to bleed but they face stings “I know it hurts” Tubbo tilts his head “your tears hurt you?” He asks them nod Tubbo laughs looking at tv “ eww!, what are you watching?” He  says “a show, puffy said u could watch whatever” “and you choose this?” He grabbed the remote out of their hand turning on something called Disney+ and turned on a show bluey and they love it paying attention to it. 

Puffy walked into living room “lunch is ready” Ranboo smile jumps off the couch Tubbo pauses the tv and running into kitchen Tubbo follow sitting down at the table they sit next to them puffy sets down two plates of Mac and cheese in front of them both and giving them a forks Ranboo scoops up the Mac and cheese chopping down “it’s very cheesy” 

they say Tubbo laughs his little tail wagging “it is Mac and cheese” they shrug their shoulders eating their Mac and cheese puffy sits down across from them and Tubbo. 

“Auntie, why didn’t you tell me Ranboo was here” Tubbo says pouting puffys ear flicks frowning slightly “well it was a bit of a surprise” Ranboo finishes their food looking at puffy then at Tubbo “ okay , where’s Tommy?” They wrap their arms around them staring at their plate “he- he’s hurt” Tubbo looks at them “what hurt him?” He asks “a guy did, I-I left him at some house” they say puffy stands up walking over to them and wrapping an arm around their shoulders “how about tomorrow we go to this house, if you can remember. we will try to find the house and get Tommy” Ranboo perks up jumping out of the chair and hugging puffy “thank you!” they say Puffy pats their head Tubbo runs up to them “group hug!” He shouts hugging them and puffys side Ranboo wraps their tail around Tubbo. Tubbo smiles and puffy wraps her arms around both them and Tubbo “it be okay kiddos” puffy said and they really hoped it was true. 

Chapter Text

Ranboo woke up. And they were so tired and their eyes felt so heavy they were expecting to be less tired not more tired after sleeping but they just feel like trash. They know that it took them a while to fall asleep but when they did they slept like a log they sigh burying their face in the blankets or what they thought were blankets “Get off of me” someone wines Ranboo sat up instantly no one should be in the cave but them and Tommy they glance around, but they were not in the cave and Tommy was not there They glance at Tubbo his eyes are squeezed shut he kicks they move away “oww ” they whine.

Tubbo rolls into his stomach “I’m trying to rest here” he complains. They yawn before rolling back onto their side of the bed, they look up at the ceiling letting the memories of yesterday come back, and someone? They don't know who brought them here and Puffy said they would go back to that house and find Tommy. They sit up quickly.

Jumping out of bed “Come on Tubbo, we need to go get Tommy” they shout pulling on Tubbo’s arm “Come on” they shout tugging Tubbo out of bed who shouts as he falls on the floor with a thud Tubbo “ Oww, just leave me alone” Tubbo grunts curling up on the floor “you can't sleep on the floor tubs” Tubbo looks up at them before standing up and flashing them very anger look before walking past them they gusset Tubbo is not a morning person “ sorry!”  They call after him before they followed after him.

They walked downstairs and walking into the kitchen. Puffy stood next to the stove pushing something in a pan, and Tubbo sat on the counter kicking his legs back and forth. They look up at Puffy standing next to her and leaning toward her “What are you making?” Puffy glances at them “I'm making eggs” she says smiling as she moves the pan around “When are we going to go get Tommy?” they asked.

Puffy looked down at them “Soon okay, we will go find Tommy” Puffy speaks calmly smiling, she runs her hand through their hair gently Ranboo leans into the touch they both stay like that for a while. “Alright time to eat,” Puffy said pulling her hand away and walked over to the cabinet taking out five plates and putting them down on the counter she picks up the pan putting eggs on the plates before going over to the oven and taking out cinnamon rolls they perk up they love cinnamon rolls their moms used to make cinnamon rolls and- they squeeze their hands shut biting their lip they look at Tubbo.

As he jumps off the counter, Tubbo looks at them gesturing for them to follow Ranboo, and moves over to him; they both sit in the same spot as yesterday as Puffy calls for Dream and Foolish. They both come running downstairs. They sit across from them and Tubbo. Puffy sits across from them too in the middle of Dream and foolish Puffy sets the plates with eggs and cinnamon rolls in front of them and Tubbo and everyone else.

“Morning Ranboo” Dream says smiling at them he doesn't have his mask on Ranboo looks at him smiling “Morning” they reply nodding at him and Foolish smiles at them “Did you sleep well Ranboo?” foolish asks. They nod “Still a little tired,” they say shrugging their shoulders “Well I'm happy you got some sleep” They take a bite of their cinnamon roll tail wagging happily at the delicious taste they scuff down the two rolls quickly.

They grab their fork, stuffing their face quickly so they can go find Tommy sooner than you eat like a pig,” Tubbo said, covering his mouth and laughing, “I am not a pig” they said sticking their tongue out at him Tubbo just rolled his eyes. “Then eat like a normal person,” he said grinning at them “Wow, aren't you just Kindest '' they chuckled laughing, they jolted as he kicked them under the table glaring at them “ Boys , quit fighting” Puffy scolded, shaking her head but she looked fond for some reason. They're not used to someone finding them good enough to care for none else being fond of them. they frown, not sure how to feel about that.

They finish the last of their food and stand up and throw the plate in the sink Ranboo runs upstairs they go into Tubbos room and open the dresser drawer they change out of the PJs they borrowed from Tubbo they look at the usual clothes that they wear Ranboo picks the clothes up, glancing at the shoes or well a shoe they only have one shoe having lost the other one long ago. They look over at the door as Puffy opens it. “Hey, kiddo,” she said, closing the door and walking over to them “I have some clothes for you,” she said, holding a bundle of clothes and passing it to them. They take the clothes “Don’t take too long Tubbo has to get dressed, okay ” she says they look up at her nodding.

She walks out of the room they look at the clothes, a light brown shirt with a black pair of pants they change into them, putting on their shoe, before walking out of the room Tubbo stands outside the door he looks at them confused. “Why, do you only have one shoe?” he says giggling. “Because I only have one shoe,” they said, rolling their eyes Tubbo took their hand dragging them back into the room, going into his closet letting their hand go, and pulling out a pair of shoes. “These are too big for me,” he said tossing the shoes to them, they catch them just barely “Now get out, I'm changing,” he said walking over to his dresser.

They leave the room sitting outside the door and they turn around as Tubbo opens the door,” he says “What-” they start but Tubbo just closes the door. They put on the socks and then the shoes they stand up and run downstairs Puffy looks over at them as they come down the stairs they walk over to her “I'm ready to go,” they say going over to her“Okay, give me your feet let me tie your shoes” they pout but let Puffy tie their shoes she kneels they put their feet on her knee “alright let's wait for Tubbo,” she says standing up “why! do we need to wait!” They complain.

“Because Dream and Foolish had a school thing so they left. And I can't leave Tubbo home alone kiddo,” she says as they go to oppose they need to find Tommy now they need to leave now but Tubbo comes running down the stairs they look over at him “I'm ready” he shouts jogging over to them both Puffy grabs her key “Let's go,” she said. They run out the front door Tubbo comes out next right behind them Puffy walks out after the both of them locking it.

She unlocks the car doors they crawled in sitting in the back seat Tubbo sits next to them Puffy gets in and puts the keys in the keyhole they look around. It's very messy but they don't mind if anything they find it comforting being so used to things being messy the car starts up rumbling they jump a bit Tubbo sets his hand on the top of theirs they lean against him puffy pulls out the driveway.

They drive around different neighborhoods for a while with Puffy and Tubbo asking if this is the house he left Tommy at. Puffy sighs turning into a different neighborhood for what feels like the millionth time they sit up as they pass by a certain house it feels familiar like they've seen it before “Puffy, stop” they say glancing at her, She stops turning around and looking at them “did you see it?” puffy asks they nod “All right then” Puffy says taking the keys out of the keyhole Ranboo climbs through the car and jumps out of the car Ranboo runs up to the house they look around this is it they remember the porch lights and the bush they hid behind. They knock on the door rocking back and forth on their feet and biting their lip.

They can feel the nervousness rising in their stomach like a pit Puffy runs up to them “God, Ranboo doesn't just run off” They look at her shrugging their shoulders “Where's Tubbo?” “he wanted to eat in the car, to sleep” They look at the house, seeming confused for a second but her face breaks out in a smile “what?” they ask “this is my friend's house, I don’t know why didn’t I think about calling him” she says shaking her head, they tilt their head “so Tommy is safe?”

Tommy must be okay if he was with Puffys friend. Puffy is a good person so her friend must be good too or they hope so Puffy nods “Yes they're good people Ramboo I trust them, so I bet they've been taking care of Tommy” Puffy says soothing them they nod and Puffy knocks on door again twice. They hear someone shout something and the door opens. They perk up looking at the same person who had picked Tommy up when they left him on the same porch three days ago.

“Oh, hey Puffy, what brings you here,” he asks smiling “For Tommy,” they say leaning forward and trying to see behind him they look up at him “My friend,” they state “Oh, your Ranboo then?” their tail flicks behind them taken back “h-how dd-did you know- know my name?” they ask, narrowing their eyes. Puffy rests her hand on their head a comforting weight “Tommy told me” he clarifies “My name is Phil, by the way,” Phil said smiling and walking backward they rush forward into the house Puffy follows, and Phil closes the door walking over to them “You can chill in the living room, I'll get Tommy,” he said Phil walked upstairs they bite their lips staying at the bottom of stairs once again rocking back and forth on their feet.

“Hey kiddo, you wanna sit down” Ranboo looks at Puffy who wraps they arm around their shoulder, they shake their head “I can't I'll explode,” they say Puffy chuckles walking over to the couch and leaning against the back of it they stare at the ground and crossing their arms they look up instantly as they hear footsteps “Hey boo,” Tommy says standing at the top of the stairs Tommy's face breaks into a grin as he runs down the stairs chasing straight into them wrapping his arms around them they bury their head in his shoulders tears stream down faces “oh you big baby, I was only one gone for like three days,” Tommy says but his hold on them tightens “too damn long.” They said Tommy laughs.

“I missed you boo” Tommy whispered only for them

to hear them smile “I missed you more.” 

Chapter Text

Ranboo sits next to Tommy on the couch while the adults are probably talking about what they're gonna do with them and Tommy. They hold Tommy’s hand tightly worried if they go he’ll leave or he’ll get hurt again which is stupid. Tommy pulls them closer “I’m not gonna just disappear, you know” he says they look at him avoiding his eyes they look over his injuries he has a bandage around his head and around his waist but Tommy looks happy he’s in clean clothes and has no dirt on him his smile seems bigger than usual they bite their lip Tommy hits them in face it’s not very hard but they flinch anyways, looking Tommy in eyes questioning why he did that, he tries to flick their forehead head they smack his hand away Tommy flips them off “Stop, biting yourself idiot” he says keeping his voice low so phill and puffy don’t hear.

they roll their eyes to show their annoyance Tommy flicks his tail onto their lap they run their fingers the fur “your gonna make yourself bleed ” he says Ranboo rubs their lips together they can feel the cuts. 

“So,” they start speaking squeezing Tommy’s tail  but not to much it hurts just so that it calms them kinda like fidget Puffy let them use, they stare at the ground “you seem happy” they say they see Tommy’s ears flick out the corner of their eyes meaning he’s nervous, mad or listening for something. “I am” he says smiling, looking away from them, they push Tommy’s tail off their lap before turning around to face him fully “happier than with me? ”

They ask Tommy stares at them seemingly lost for words he opens his mouth to say something but nothing comes out he closes it again “ No ” he says frowning he grabs both their hand holding them in his “I couldn’t ever fully be happy without you, boo” Ranboo nods they feel like they might cry again they crawl forward pushing Tommy to lay down flopping down on chest curling into a ball Tommy runs his hands through hair they missed this.  “your very stupid boo” 

Tommy says because of course he has to ruin the peace and quiet they grumble burying their head in his chest “Do not fall asleep on me”  he shouts Ranboo sits up grabs a pillow and hits Tommy in the face with hit Tommy tries to grab the pillow Ranboo hits him with their tail. Tommy pushes them and they shriek falling off the couch. 

They fall on their back “ owww, ” they say Tommy laughs looking at them, they stick their tongue out at him Tommy throws the pillow at them, they squirm on the floor “what are you two doing?” A voice says they sit up and Tommy turns around he smiles “What are you doing here will?” Tommy asks his tail wagging slightly “I live here,” Will says sitting down on the couch next to Tommy they stand up Tommy rolls his eyes punching Will in the arm. 

“I know that idiot but I thought you techno were going out,” he says raising an eyebrow at Will “We were but techno didn’t want to stay, so we left,” Will says grabbing Tommm and tucking to his chest and under his chin Tommy squirms but eventually gives up leaning against wills chest who smiles laughing as Tommy curses under his breath they sit in spot Tommy was before but not getting to close to will. 

“So who are you?” Will asks “U-uh oh, Ranboo- my name is Ranboo I’m Tommy’s friend,” they say biting their lip Tommy scowls at them they stop just cracking their knuckles instead they think about saying their pronouns only people who uses their pronouns are Tubbo, and Tommy mainly because they have only told them. They wanna tell Will because they can’t tell if Will is a boy or a girl which is so cool they wish people didn’t assume they were a boy because they have no gender or anything since all endermans use them as pronouns or no pronouns unless they choose to. It’s an Enderman culture thing; they don’t really remember anything else about their culture but they remember their moms teaching them about their culture as a kid. 

“They,them please” they finally say, locking eyes with a will who smiles  “Wilbur, and it’s he/they” they nod as he speaks smiling, they look at Wilbur getting a good look at them. He's a piglin hybrid. And he looks really fancy? They guess he has red round glasses but their hair kinda covers his eyes. What's even the point of classes if you can’t see out of them? They lean back against the couch. Wilbur's clothes are fancy too: a long-sleeved black shirt with a white vest they think that’s what it’s called, a person with long pink hair they stopped at the living room entrance looking at them they must be techno Gusse is Wilburg They grunt a hello nodding at them too before sitting on the armchair and grabbing the book off the side table next to it “That’s techno, my twin, he slashes him” Wilbur said pointing at Techno who didn't look up from his book Techno was even fancier looking then Wilbur with a ruffled white shirt and a  pair of black pants with black see-through gloves. 

“Ranboo” They hear Puffy call for them, they jump off the couch walking into the kitchen where Phil and Puffy are she smiles at them when they walk in they stand in front of them both “Hey, hey it’s alright kiddo you're not in trouble,” Puffy says softly they take a deep “we just ask you if you want to stay here or with me,” Puffy says they looking at the ground not sure what do, they want to stay with Tommy but they like staying with Puffy and Tubbo but how long are they staying. 

They look up at Phil “Are you going to kick us out after Tommy heals?” They ask. Phil shakes his head. “No kiddo you're allowed to stay as long as needed,” they relaxAre you going to call the foster people?” They ask, Phil sighs  “ Well I have to, but I’m not gonna give you or Tommy up, alright I promise” They nod believing him for now at least “I wanna stay with Tommy” they mumble feeling bad that they're leaving Puffy and Tubbo “it’s okay kiddo don’t feel bad,” Puffy says kneeling in front of them “you want a hug, Ranboo?” They run forward hugging Puffy as tight as they can Puffy smiles patting their head they let go

“Thank you,” they say “Of course kid,” she says smiling before walking over to the front door opening the door she waves at them and Phil who waves back “Come visit again Puffy.” “I will Phil” she says walking out the door closing it behind her. 

Phil turns over to them “you alright kiddo?” They nod and Phil smiles “okay,” he says going over to the cabinet and taking out a pot. “Puffy said you like Mac and cheese, right?” Their ears flicked up “Yeah” “Mac and cheese it is then” he said, putting the pot on the stove and turning it on. “Why don’t you tell Tommy the news,” Phil says they go into the living room Tommy is in front of them in a second 

“You're staying !” he shouts, grabbing them and pulling them to his chest they grin while wrapping their tail around his waist “Looks like we have two baby brothers now, techno” They look over at Wilbur Tommy lets go of them spinning around to face Wilbur “I am not a baby!” He yells flipping Will off who just scoffs “your quite small,” he says gesturing with their hand “ I am a big man ” Tommy shoots looking at Techno “I'm a big man right, tech” he says Techno just shakes his head “your barley 9, kid” he says a slight smile but it’s barely there, Tommy starts pouting sticking his tongue out at Wilbur which is not really helping his point his tail lashes behind him they giggle 

“Ranboo’s a baby not me” he says they stop laughing, narrowing their eyes at Tommy they push him, he turns around and pushes them back “I’m not a baby!” they exclaimed Tommy rolls his eyes like he always does “no, you're a big meanie!” He shouts lunging towards them but Techno stands up grabs the back of his shirt and lifts him up he is quite strong Tommy squirms around kinda like a feral raccoon which is funny since he is a raccoon they giggle Tommy shoots them a look they sit on the end of couch Techno sets Tommy down next to them. 

“Now be quiet I’m trying to read,” he says sitting back in his seat Tommy grumbles leaning against them they sit for a while until Tommy speaks whispering in their ear “Big baby” They shove Tommy off the couch the spill curse words that come next are worth it. 

They all sit at the table eating lunch. The table is a square. Tommy sits next to them and Techno and Wilbur sit across of each other and Phil sits across from them and Tommy, Wilbur, and Tommy are arguing about something again they tune out of talking, thinking about what’s gonna happen now they and Tommy how a place to stay, for a while a safe place so far too, that never happens they can see that Tommy fits in perfect already but them, which is not surprising they never fit in, and any or all their past foster homes show that quite clearly, there's always something wrong with them, all their foster parents have said that to them. “Ranboo” a voice breaks through their thoughts, they look up from their plate dropping their fork and they look at Phil  “are you alright?” He asks softly as they nod, biting their lip, their leg bounces, Tommy reaches a hand over and squeezes their hand; they relax slightly. 

Phil smiles “so, I was thinking we could go to the mall, tomorrow and get some clothes for you and Tommy” Phil suggested Ranboo looked over at Tommy who leaned back in his chair letting go of they hand “sure” Tommy says standing up and grabbing his plate and running over to kitchen sink throwing his plate in, Tommy goes up to Phil “can I get whatever I want?” He asks swinging back and forth on his feet grinning using his puppy eyes which Phil crumbles under “yes, Tommy you can get whatever you want tomorrow” he says patting Tommy’s head who smiles running over to them.  

“come on boo” Tommy grabs their hand dragging them up stairs they walk down the hallway Tommy leads them into a room. “This where I’m been sleeping” he says closing the door behind him Ranboo looks at around the room the room is quite nice they like it they walk over to the bed which is in the corner it has gray blankets Tommy hates that color they look around there’s not anything else really just some curtains also gray there’s an rug too since the floors hardwood, there’s an nightstand next to bed too. They rest their head on the pillow Tommy lays down next to them. 

“I think we found a place Tommy” Tommy looks at them they look at the ceiling not making eye contact Tommy hums his tail pressing against they leg they flick their tail onto his stomach Tommy leaned his head against they shoulder “I think so too.” 

Chapter Text

Ranboo stood in the kitchen watching Tommy look through the pantry very angrily for some reason “where’s the cookies” he grumbled his tail lashing behind him “calm down Toms,” Tommy flipped them off “no, don’t tell me to calm down I can do whatever” he grunts looking in the back of the pantry they sigh shaking their head “little over dramatic Toms” they say Tommy turns around smiling big. “I got it” he walks over to them with a bag of cookies grinning. They snatch the bag out of his hands “ hey!”  Tommy reached his hand in the bag, stuffing a cookie in his mouth with two cookies. They grab a cookie and take a bite. They look at Tommy who eats multiple cookies at a time “You're gonna choke,” Tommy looks up at them rolling his eyes. 

Ranboo looks up as Phil and Techno walk into the kitchen Tommy takes the bag out of their hands, “morning guys” Phil says smiling, walking over to them Ranboo waves at him before looking at Techno who has headphones on. He takes a mug out of the cabinet, going over to the coffee machine Phil looks at Tommy “What do you have there?” He asks Tommy looks at him before running to hide behind them “u-uh nothing” Tommy says sounding very nervous “Tommy” Phil says Tommy pouts holding the bag out Phil shakes his head taking the bag and closing it putting it back in the pantry “ philll , I want cookies” Tommy whines and Phil gives Tommy a look and Tommy gives in crossing his arms Ranboo looks behind at Tommy laughing “what?,""I told you, you didn't need the cookies.” 

Tommy scowls at them before ramming into their back they stumble forward slightly Tommy grunts hitting they leg with his tail “you ate the cookies too idiot” Tommy says smugly they giggle turning around to face him “now your just straight up lying” Ranboo says Tommy opens his mouth to say something but they walk away going over to Phil who is putting butter in a pan they look at Phils he has two black wings tucked against his back. “You have wings?” They were surprised they didn’t see them yesterday. He didn't have those yesterday, did he? No they Would have noticed it’s not really something you miss. Phil looks at them nodding before speaking up “I do, I’m an avian hybrid actually” they tilt their head at Phil “so your half bird?” Phil laughs thinking for a second “well, you could say that” they nod “you didn't have those yesterday tho?” Tommy asks from where now sits on the counter “well I can hide them, like tuck them into my back” Phil clarified. He gets a box of pancake mix out of the pantry, putting it in a bowl.

“Are you still up to going to the mall?” Phil says as he puts an egg in the bowl they watch they haven’t had pancakes since they were five, and they can barely remember what it tastes like. They lean against the counter next to Phil but out of his way so as to not make him mad by getting in the way this is like another foster home they have left a good first impression or Phil might kick them out they wouldn’t blame him but they need to stay here for Tommy and maybe because they like it here it’s warm, and safe so far they don’t know what makes Phil tick or Will and Techno. “Ranboo?” They look up at Phil and they hum to show they heard him “Did you hear what I asked?” he says they nod they did it’s just the answer is no they hate the mall, but they know Tommy wants to go he loves the mall which isn’t surprising he’s always been weird. 

They nod again “ Mhn ,” they say not wanting to talk, it's too much and they need to save their energy for the mall or they will probably die. They look at Tommy. He is still sitting on the counter Techno stands next to him. They were talking to each other or well Tommy was talking and Techno was listening well maybe, he has his headphones on so he’s not sure. “ Yup !” Tommy speaks up kicking his legs “are you going Tech?” Phil asks softly, looking at Techno who shrugs “I guess.” Phil smiles nodding as they look at the stove “The pancakes are burning” they speak up pointing at the pan of burning pancakes Phil turns around “ shit! shit oh god” Phil shouts taking the pancake off the pan and putting them on a plate “ Well , pancakes are ready,” Phil says laughing. 

Phil looks at Techno “Can you go get Will” Techno sighs obviously not wanting to. But he goes upstairs calling for Wilbur, Tommy hops off the counter goes over to the table, and sits down in their spot they stop standing next to their chair and look at Tommy who looks down at them “ Move ” they say, Tommy glares at them, and they glare right back, pissed that Tommy is in their seat, their growl at him Phil walks in setting plates at all the seats, setting the plate of pancakes in the middle of the table, Techno comes back down with Wilbur not far behind 

they grab Tommy’s hand yanking him out of the chair Tommy shouts falling flat on their face. They sit in their chair smiling satisfied, looking back at Tommy who sits up with tears in his eyes. He looks up at them obviously hurt. They feel less satisfied. 

“What the hell Ranboo” he growls touching his forehead, he winces they curl in on themselves they didn’t mean hurt Tommy but he had it coming they asked him to move and he didn’t “ M’ sorry Toms” they say Tommy stands up looking away from them Wilbur rushes over to him kneeling down in front of him Tommy squirms “Im fine, stupid” he says gruffly but he smiles slightly as Wilbur picks him up setting on chair besides them they look at Tommy he doesn’t look them Phil walks in sitting down Techno and Wilbur sit down too they all eat in the quiet no one really talking, expect Tommy cause he’s always talking it’s usually something they love but they really wished he would just shut for once. 

———

After breakfast everyone gets dressed, them and Tommy had to use some of Wilbur’s old clothes from when they were a kid, they were dusty so they hated the mall they needed clothes. Now everyone was getting in the car, they sat in the back buckling their seat belt. Wilbur and Tommy sat in the middle of the car laughing about something they wished they knew, but Tommy is clearly still mad at them or he would be sitting with them they stare at back of his head until they hear the car door open Phil and Techno get in they notice Techno changed his hoodie it’s darker pink than before and much softer he’s still wearing his headphones they lean forward slightly to see since Techno is sitting up in the front sit. 

He has stickers on the headphones they smile at, they don’t why but stickers make them so happy they mean back in they sit as the car starts up Techno just cooler and cooler by the day. They perk up seeing the fidget he has they wish they had the fidget Puffy let them borrow, it was very calming and it’s not they can bite their lip, (even through they still do ) but they try not to cause Tommy says they not allowed hurt themselves and usually right about things like that, they even play with Tommy’s tail, mess around with the fur, They click their tongue sighing, deciding to mess with the zipper on they jacket, fidgeting with the zipper the same way with the fidget toy puffy gave them. 

“ Can you stop ” Tommy says, rolling his eyes, turning around to look at them, he looks mad they stop letting their hand fall away “ sorry ” they say curling in on themselves Tommy turns around, Phil clears his throat. “Tommy don’t be mean to Ranboo” Tommy grunts “ yeah, yeah, sorry” he says not sounding very sorry “it’s fine” they say Tommy’s ears flick knowing that he obviously hears them but doesn’t look at them. They wrap their tail around their waist. 

They sit like that until Phil pulls into the mall parking lot, parking the car “we’re here” he says they uncurled their tail as Techno and Phil get out they unbuckled their seat belt they crawl out the car following,Tommy out they close the door behind him. They all gather at the side of the car, Phil asking if everyone is okay with going inside and letting them know that if they want to leave they can. before they all go inside the mall. “So Tommy, Ranboo what do you want to get first” Phil asks “I want to go get h&m!” Tommy says Wilbur walks over to him “alright then” Wilbur says ruffling Tommy’s hair “okay then, Ranboo?” Phil asks. They shrug their shoulders as Techno walks over to them “I’ll take you, ” he says as they perk up, Techno wants to go with them. They smile nodding, Phil gives Techno some money “ alright , I’ll go with Will and Tommy, call me if you need anything, and we’ll meet up here after we’re done shopping” he says looking at Techno who grunts who’s ears moving, “Got it'' as Phil follows after Tommy and Wilbur. 

Techno looks at them “where you wanna go?” He asks they shrug looking around walking over to a store for room decor they walk hopping to find some stuff for Tommy’s room and their room too they gusse, Phil says they could sleep in other gusse room but their so used to sleeping close to Tommy that it was just too much so snuck back into Tommy’s room and Tommy had awoken up to them crawling in his bed he had grabbed him cuddling them. They flick their tail, maybe if they stuff, for Tommy he’ll stop being so mean. 

They walk over to some shelves looking around. They pick up a few things, turning the things around in their hands. They don’t take any of it putting, it all back. They walk around different isle’s looking at the stuff they look through a basket that has stickers they grab the baskets. It's a bundle of cat stickers that have those bubbles around it, those little puffy bubbles. It's their favorite kind of sticker. It's the best kind actually. They grin ear to ear walking over Techno who holds the bag with both hands rocking back and forth on his feet just like them, they mostly do it when they are nervous. Is it also a habit, a bad habit?, not sure. They plop the stickers in the bag Techno stops rocking looking at them he readjusts his headphones “nice” he says looking in the bag they nod it is nice, maybe they can get some of their headphones and put stickers on them headphones like Techno has. 

They walk over to another shelf that has some pillows on it. It’s away from the music in the shop. Techno seems to relax slightly, they smile at him, he nods at them Techno doesn’t really smile, that's okay they smile quite a lot so it makes up for it.  

Techno walks beside them, they grab a pillow that has a little dog on it, they put it in the bag, they look at a pillow that has a cow on it. It's a brown cow and it’s adorable. They grab it instantly Tommy loves cows, he always says he wants to have a pet cow, when he’s older they smile, they think that’s funny cause they don’t think you have a pet cow but Tommy’s, Tommy so he’ll find a way, they put it in the bag walking further into the store they look at a fake plant. It's the top shelf they jump up trying to grab it. They turned around to face him and he looked at them as they pointed up at the plant. 

He walks over to them slowly, looking at plant “this?” He says pointing at it they nod taking the plant and handing it to them they smile holding it in their hand it’s lovely “ done ” they say Techno nods, walking over to the cashier they follow Techno puts the things on the counter the cashier checks them out they pat the plate in their hand a little goodbye or well a see you later, before putting it on the counter. 

They both walk out of the store, “that’s all you want?” Techno asks them to nod as they stand for a little while they swing their arms back and forth “you want to go somewhere else” he says they nod. 

———

Ranboo and Techno went to multiple stores for clothes Techno is now carrying multiple bags they walk over to spot Phil said to meet at when Phil, Wilbur and Tommy come into the view as they get closer Ranboo walks a little faster. “We’re back!” they say happily looking at Phil who looks at them smiling. He's also carrying a couple bags “took you long enough” Tommy says glaring at them laughing but it’s an angry laugh. 

Techno comes up behind them walking over to all of them “hey” Techno says Tommy perks up smiling at Techno, Techno grunts at him “ hey tech, you have fun” Wilbur says grinning “shut up” he says, Wilbur laughs walking over to him they walk over to Phil standing next to him, Phil ruffles their hair “everyone ready to go?” He asks. Everyone nods yes before walking out the mall they walk over to car Phil and Wilbur and Techno putting the stuff in the trunk. 

They sit in back Tommy sits in the middle still they frown Tommy’s still mad at them, they sit criss-crossing. Messing with their shirt while trying to calm themselves , Techno opens the car door from where Wilbur sits and he crawls into the back sitting next to them. Phil and Wilbur get in and Wilbur sits next to Tommy. Phil turns around looking at Techno “everything good?” Techno nods leaning against his seat Phil nods, turning the car on and pulling the car out the parking lot. 

They fidget with their zipper for a while they can see Techno dig through his pockets he pulls out a long blue noodle looking toy they look over at Techno who passes them the toy “it’s and fidget” he says looking out the window they take it, squeezing it and stretching it out they play with fidget the whole way home. 

Until they get home they try to give Techno the noodle back but but he shakes his head “it’s yours, now” he says getting out car he watches they tail wagging they get out the car Phil waves them over they walk over they give them and Tommy the bag they walk upstairs Tommy behind them into his room. They drop the bags on the floor Tommy does the same, closing the door before he sighs walking over to the bed flopping down. Tommy’s tail flicks happily they clear their throat Tommy sits up glaring at them “why the hell are you still here”

“I wanted to apologize, for hurting you that is” they say biting their lip Tommy looks at them his shoulder sag “I’m sorry too, for hurting you too” he says looking at the floor they walk forward standing in front of Tommy and grabbing his hands “you didn’t hurt me Toms,” Tommy looks up at them “I’ve been an asshole, all day to you” he says they shrug their shoulders “I deserved it” they really did they hurt Tommy. Tommy frowns pulling them closer “no you didn’t” he says softly they crawl onto they both snuggle up together Ranboo resting their head on his shoulder Tommy curls his arms around them tightly pulling a blanket over the both of them.
“your an good brother” they say gripping Tommy’s shirt “I try” Tommy says laughing they roll their eyes“try harder” they say Tommy smacks them with his tail they pull Tommy closer wrapping their tail around him he tucks them under his chin “I love you Toms” they whisper softly Tommy clicks his nails together pulling them close as possible which was his way saying

 “I love you too.” 

Chapter Text

Tommy walked through the hallway listening to Ranboo talking about a pack of stickers he got, they talked about wanting to get headphones like Techno’s so they could put stickers on them. He nods along to show he’s listening. He looks over at them stopping at the top of the stairs and he smiles at them “you like Techno?” He says they nod “yes, yes, he’s very cool” they say excitedly swinging their arms back and forth they seem much happier than early, probably because it was his fault he shakes his head, his ears flicking. He walks down the stairs Ranboo walking in front of them a little he nods but stops walking, freezing his ears pin to his head as he hears a glass shatter on the ground Ranboo stops walking too looking back at him “Toms?” They ask, rushing over to him. “ Tommy?. “ They ask Tommy covers his ears letting out a high pitched squeal Phil comes running up the stairs meeting them halfway “Tommy?, what’s wrong?” he says calmly with a soft, look on his face, Tommy shakes his head growling at Phil, his wings fluttering. Tommy takes that as a threat he throws himself at him, letting all he remembers before the old memories flood his brain. 

~~~

Tommy watched as his father took another sip of his bottle Tommy tucked his tail under his legs “t-t Tommy get me anot- another bottle” his father slurred sharply Tommy stood up instantly, walking over to the fridge opening the door, grabbing a bottle running over to father he snatched it out of his hand, popping the bottle cap off taking a sip he grunts spitting the liquid out he looks at Tommy throwing the bottle at him. 

“ You idiot, is not what I asked for ” Tommy nods, lowering his head as the bottle hits the ground the glass shattering the liquid and glass spill all over his feet he shrinks into himself tears well up in his eyes he squeezes his eyes shut blinking them away “I’m sorry father” he says. 

His father stands up patting his head “don’t look so sad, remember what is said? big boys don’t cry” he nodded.

“you know I love you Toms” he nodded, clicking his nails together another way to say I love you back his father had told him that when he was young. He didn't mean it though he didn’t love father he didn’t think he could he’s means how could he if doesn’t even trust him. 

~~~

Tommy came back to it he was sitting on couch Ranboo was next to him so was Phil he looks around he has a blanket on around him “you back with us kiddo?” Phil asks sweetly “I’m fine” he says standing up throwing the blanket off him trying to walk away all he wants to do is hide to forget about him. But Phil stops him, gently resting his hand in his shoulder “we need to have a family talk” he says Tommy pauses, he fucked up? He finally did it they gonna send him away he’ll be separated from Ranboo it be different than when he first got he knew that he would see Ranboo again, but if Phil sends him away he’ll keep Ranboo because of course he would Ranboo’s perfect, they never yell, complain, cause trouble or fight back their amazing and he’s well him. 

Phil kneels in front of them “Tommy listen, you are not in trouble i am not mad I’m concerned” he says breaking through his thoughts he looks up at Phil who waits for an answer he frowns looking back at the ground, Tommy walks into the kitchen Phil leading him and Ranboo, sitting down he looks at Techno as he messes with the necklace on his neck chewing on it slightly, you can tell he doesn’t want to be here which is understandable, the air feels tight. 

He glances over Wilbur who looks as weird as usual, he thinks he might be high but that would mean he’s like high all the time? He pretty sure he’s not he huffs ignoring those not very important questions throwing them out his head looking at Phil who clears his throat 

“Okay, so I’ve decided he all properly introduced ourselves, that includes triggers, disorders, anything really” he says nodding to himself “anything you want the others to know” Tommy watches as Phil takes a whiteboard off the fridge setting it on the table. “you can write any tiggers, or important things here” he says Tommy  looks at board as much as he loves this house it's one of the good foster homes and it’s not even a real foster home yet, Phil’s still taking care of all that but he’s been taking care of it he wants to take of him, he wishes to be a foster parent to him and Ranboo the high is shocking cause usually he gets sent to a home and once they find out how bad he is they want to send him away not keep him. 

Maybe Phil just wants the money that comes from fostering kids. Tommy doesn’t know he has his questions as much as he acts like he’s a bubbly, energetic kid who loves being here, that's really all it is, an act. It’s not that he doesn’t like being here he does that doesn’t mean he trusts them but he can’t just show them, how bad he is he has to let it go slowly see what makes them tick what really gets them, the thing that make lose it, he guesses right is a good time to do that. 

He speaks up “don’t talk to me like I’m dumb” he says looking at board it’s half true he doesn’t like when people speak down to him but it doesn’t tigger him, he thinks back to when his therapist he had when he was younger and she had explained it to him “I hate sudden loud noises, especially with glass, please don’t break glass around me” he says it's true he hates glass especially when it shatters. Techno grunts speaking up “I have autism, so” he looks at Tommy and Ranboo probably because Will and Phil already know “don’t take my stuff without asking, don’t go in room especially if I’m in there after a meltdown, and please when I tell you that something your doing is upsetting don’t do it even more, and

do not touch my headphones.” He says thinking for a second. 

“Also don’t touch me if I’m having a meltdown. He adds nodding Phil writes that down on the whiteboard looking over at Wilbur who sighs “u-u um don’t touch my guitar” he says Tommy rolls his eyes he loves that stupid quitar he remembers that Will had shown it to him his second day hear when he was still stuck in bed he had even played him a song to tell him sleep when he couldn’t fall asleep since his whole body had been aching but will had helped a lot. 

He hums tail flicking, he looks at Will who sticks his tongue out at him and he smiles. He likes will, maybe he doesn’t trust him but he enjoys being near him. “Please don’t yell, or hit each other or me, we talk things out here” Phil says in a stern voice but it carries a gentle tone too. Phil looked over at Ranboo Tommy did too “Ranboo?” Phil asked Ranboo just looking at Tommy confused “what’s an tigger?” They asked, Tommy smiled, shaking his head. Ranboo has always been kinda innocent, it’s sweet but it does lead to Ranboo being naive, easily tricked but Tommy keeps them safe since he doesn’t trust anyone so they even each other out. 

“A trigger is something that causes a recall of a traumatic experience, it can happen in flashbacks or just an unwell feeling,  something distressing” Phil says Ranboo nods “you know what traumatic means?” He asks Ranboo nods of course they know they’ve had a therapist before too and they are not dumb. He looks at Ranboo “I don’t like when people yell at me, and don’t touch me unless I say so” Tommy smiles at them their tail flicks nervously as they speak quietly, seemingly thinking they have their thinking face on they look over at him he nods they continue on. “I don’t like when people take my stuff” they say Phil nods smiling writing it on the whiteboard like he did for him and Techno “can you help us, with see room?” Ranboo says looking at Phil “of course I can kiddo” he says putting the whiteboard on the table.  

Techno stands up walking upstairs Wilbur follows after him, Tommy stands up going over to Ranboo who hops off the chair standing in front of him “can Phil help with the room!” They ask Tommy, grunts Ranboo’s ears flick happily, he sighs “ whatever ” he says reluctantly Ranboo turns around to Phil “can you help us, with our room?” Phil looks down at them  “of course I can kiddo” he says and seeing the way Ranboo perks up at that as they follow Phil upstairs, maybe he can trust him just a little. 

Chapter Text

Tommy stares at his alarm clock that Phil got him at the mall. It's exactly 7am and he wants to go back to sleep but he fucking can’t. Him, Ranboo and Phil had spent most of yesterday decorating his bedroom or well his and Ranboo’s bedroom cause Ranboo’s a clingy motherfucker and won’t sleep in their own room or bed! Not that he cares all that much; it's easier for him to make sure they are safe but he’s tired but can’t go back since his body decided to wake up at the crack of dawn he might as well put it to use, time to see how nice Phil really is. Tommy flicks Ranboo with his tail they just roll on top of him pretty much crushing him “ Ranboo , get off me, we things to do'' he grunts trying to push them off of him, they do not move but continue to nuzzle their head on his chest Tommy sighs giving up, he’ll leave it for now. 

Looking around the room it looks different. Phil had moved the bed from one corner to the other so it’s by the window the curtains are white now and the blankets on the bed which are now red much to Ranboo’s dismay. 

Tommy looks at the rug that Phil replaced with a gray one. There's now a dresser pushed up to the other wall. He looks at the window and the sun is barely rising but it’s kinda foggy so it is hard to see, time to move. 

He squirms out from under Ranboo falling on the floor he falls on his back “owwww ” he grunts pushing himself up, he stands up looking at Ranboo who squints at him “morning!” Tommy says smiling at them, they roll over onto their side away from him burying their face in the blankets.

Tommy rolls his eyes grabbing they arm pulling on them “come on boo, I want to fuck some things up” Ranboo turns they head to look at him “you want to what?” They ask, he smiles , nodding, they sigh, pushing him away before getting out of bed “what?” Tommy grabs they hand pulling them out the room he walks downstairs letting go of Ranboo’s hand “where are we going?” They ask “outside” Tommy says walking over to the door “put your shoes on” he says Ranboo looks at him confused “what-“ Tommy cuts them off pressing a hand to their mouth passing them, their shoes they sigh putting their shoes, Tommy does the same.

Opening the door quietly, walking outside Ranboo follows after him closing the door behind them Tommy starts walking down the sidewalk it’s a nice morning in his opinion it’s foggy and kinda windy and he loves the wind it amazing especially on sunny days in spring, but it’s fall which is his favorite season actually the best season if he had to honest through Ranboo seems to think other wise as he does not look happy. Tommy takes off his hoodie and a new one. Actually Will had picked it out. It's red with a big T on it. Will said it was made for him which is so stupid but Wilbur’s stupid so it’s not surprising. He hands the jacket to Ranboo who takes it siding it on over their head they rub their hands together pulling the hood up to their horns Tommy laughs a little since hood keeps slipping off their head since they horns are in the way Tommy walks to them.

He grabs they head taking the hood and pulling it over their horns then pulling it down on it their horns pierce through the hood so it fits over their head their horns keeping it in place Tommy smiles Ranboo looks at him a bit shocked he just starts walking again Ranboo follows him again but much happier he’s not sure where he’s going he has never been on this side of town he just follows the sidewalk Ranboo walking beside him they bump into slightly getting his attention “mhn?” He hums “are you going to tell me what we're doing?” They ask. 

Tommy looks at them “we’re testing Phil’s limits, seeing what makes him tick'' Ranboo looks at him more confused, raising an eyebrow “and why would we do that?” Tommy stops walking they stop to “cause Ranboo, we need to know what we can and can’t do” he says, annoyed walking again he speeds up slightly up Ranboo runs after him “you don’t get” it’s not a question more of an statement. 

“I don’t get why we want to get in trouble” they shoving their hands in they pockets on their pjs looking at the ground he slows down walking at a steady pace “we'll be fine I doubt Phil will be mad, he’s an pushover” Ranboo looks up at him “he’s easy going, I could probably get him to not be mad, by crying” he says laughing Ranboo huffs they tail flicking “what is it?” They gave him a look that read a big fat no. 

Ranboo shook their head “no fake crying or lying” they said sternly “you can’t tell me what to do '' he says laughing Ranboo stares at him making eye contact and for someone who hates eye contact they sure know how to stare someone down. 

“Fine, no lying or crying” “fake crying” Ranboo corrected Tommy flipped them off they just tried to bite him he snatched his hand away.

“Do not bite me, that’s my thing I’m the biter not you ” he said baring his fangs at them, their smile all teeth baring a mouth full of to and that was definitely a sight to see. “Okay definitely don’t bite me” he said nervously “no, you can’t tell me what to do'' they say giggling Tommy glares at them.

“I want to go to a park” they say Tommy laughs “change in topic much” he says.  “Park” they say “fine  to the park it is then '' he says rolling his eyes Ranboo perks up Tommy walking across the street to the other sidewalk that leads to the park that Ranboo is talking about. 

Tommy and Ranboo walk over to the playground Tommy looks around there's no around. Not even on their walk did they see many people. He did see cars speed past them and people opening their shops in the main part of town but other than that, no one was around. Tommy walked over swings that Ranboo was already on because of course they would, Ranboo loves swings but Tommy used to be scared of them actually afraid that too many people on them would make it break and the metal poles would fall down on him and he would- “Tommy?” He looked at Ranboo who hadn’t started swinging yet just sitting on the seat “you good Toms?” They asked, looking at him concerned. 

“I’m fine boo, I promise, but I don’t want to swing” he says softly  Ranboo nods hopping off the swing walking over to him standing in front of him Tommy frowns “you can swing, if you want” he says they shake their head “nope go swing, I know you want too” he says giving them a look. Ranboo’s ears flick “ bubba '' Ranboo says Tommy looks them in the eyes “what’s wrong?” He says grabbing them and pulling them closer. “What's wrong bubs” Ranboo smiles, shaking their head “I’ll swing, but can you push me” Tommy relaxes, Ranboo only uses that nickname when they need to get his attention in a serious situation or when they are upset. “ Yeah , I can push you” he says walking over to the swing, Ranboo runs over to the swing sitting down. 

Tommy starts pushing them Ranboo giggles smiling ear to ear as they kick their legs to go higher. Tommy smiles, that’s his little sibling and he would do anything for them even take a hit for them when Phil finds them, and if he gets mad he’ll take the punishment he wouldn’t let Ranboo get hurt he promised them he’d never hurt them or let them get hurt “push me higher!” Ranboo shouts excitedly Tommy smilies pushing them higher “look at you boo!” He says laughing softly. 

———

Techno watches as his brother paces around the kitchen Techno sighs looking over at his dad in the living room who is on the phone with Puffy to see if Tommy and Ranboo are together since they apparently ran away. 

When Techno woke up he had showered, changing into his usual hoodie and tank top putting on a pair of sweatpants. He grabbed his headphones and put them around his neck and went downstairs. His dad was cooking breakfast. He had made himself his cup of coffee before sitting at the table and drinking his coffee while scrolling through his YouTube on his phone until Wilbur came down asking where Tommy and Ranboo were, which was concerning. 

Because they should be in their room but Wilbur said he had checked there and had checked all upstairs but couldn’t find them Phil had turned the stove off walking into the kitchen to ask what was the problem. 

He watched as his dad’s face shifted into concern so they all went looking, basically checking the whole house even outside in the backyard and in front walking he even walked down the street to see if he could find them but they came up empty handed. 

So Phil had called Puffy to see if they had gone there. It turns out that apparently Tommy and Ranboo have a tendency to run away. It's happened twice so far. His Dad had asked if Puffy might know where they would run off to, she didn’t. But Dream had suggested they might go to the park by the forest, he had taken them there once. So after Puffy had promised to be on the look out they had all filled into the car driving to the park and low and behold Tommy and Ranboo were playing on swings. 

Phil went to open the door but Wilbur stopped him “I think it would be better if me and Techno went and got them” they said Phil looked confused for a second so Techno jumped in “your the parent, the authority figure someone to fear” he said “ your right, okay go get them but come get if they try to run again” Will nodded getting out the car he slid his headphones over his ears it was windy and not only did he hate the sound of wind blowing against his ears he also hates having cold ears. 

He follows Wilbur as he walks over to Tommy and Ranboo who seemed to just now notice them as Tommy grabbed Ranboo’s swing tightly in his hands so it came to an abrupt stop. 

Ranboo got off the swing and Tommy grabbed them pulling him behind his back before glaring at him and Wilbur “what, do want?,” Wilbur stepped forward slightly Tommy turned his glare to just him “where’s Phil?” He asked, and he had a look in face . What the look means he has no clue but it doesn’t seem like a good look. 

“He’s in the car” Tommy nodded the look in face drops to he looks at Ranboo behind him Ranboo yawns grabbing Tommy’s arm whispering something in his ear, Tommy nods looking over at Wilbur Ranboo looks at him, Techno nods at them, they smile. The kid seems to really like him for what reason, not sure. 

But he can definitely say the kid is growing on him which is strange because he hates kids and Ranboo’s only 8 apparently and he knows this cause Phil had finally got in touch with Ranboo and Tommy's old social worker and he got their file’s along with becoming they official foster parent but he hasn’t told them yet and honestly Techno doesn’t think Tommy and Ranboo are gonna react well to that news. 

“Can we go now?” Tommy asked clearly annoyed which is something seeing as he’s the one who ran away but okay, “let’s go” he say and Tommy flicked his tail in irritation walking over to car pulling Ranboo with him Techno followed with Wilbur by his side “that was easier than I thought” they said looking at him “ Bruhh, their definitely up to something” he grunts he knows exactly, what Tommy is doing he’s testing Phil’s limits what he can and can’t do he’s seen some of the other kids Phil has fostered he looks at Wilbur as they hum “probably” they say opening the car door getting in car, Techno walker to other side of car getting in the passenger seat Wilbur sits in seat behind him as usual and Tommy amd Ranboo sit in the back Phil looks in the rearview mirror looking at Tommy and Ranboo Tommy catches his eye glaring at him once again testing “ what? ” He snaps hoping for a reaction but the situation seems to click in Phil’s head as he looks over at Techno.

He just shrugs his shoulders looking at the time on his phone it’s almost eight which is the time he reads his book every day in armchair in the living room he shoved his phone back in his pocket he rubs his wrist to together not to hard that it’s hurts but that distracts him from the thing bothering him we hates when his schedule is thrown off, he didn’t mind early cause he was more concerned about Tommy and Ranboo and rather they were okay or like dead in a ditch somewhere he looks at Phil pointing at time on radio in the car Phil nods 

Phil smiles at Tommy “we’ll talk when we get home” he says stern but gentle, Tommy frowns leaning back in his seat and based on his face he was not happy, he looks at his dad he’s concerned he can tell by way he keeps looking in mirror at Tommy and Ranboo as he drives he understands his worry it’s been a while since Phil’s fostered so he’s a bit rusty one could say.

But Tommy and Ranboo needed a place to stay and if Phil didn’t take them in they would have been separated and sent to different places, that's what their social worker had said. And seeing how close the two are he can’t imagine that would have been good. 

The drive home is painfully quiet and he usually likes the silence but thus he just kinda sad, “can you play some music before I die of awkwardness” he says looking at Phil who turns the radio Techno connects his phone to it playing some of his music. Turning the volume to his liking he relaxes looking out the window and stays like the whole drive home. 

Phil pulls into the driveway unlocking the car doors Techno grabs his phone putting it in his pocket he opens the door hoping out the car and walking inside he walks into the living room while he slides his headphones off so they hang around his neck, he walks quickly over to his seat sitting down and picking up his book he checks the time on his phone it’s exactly eight. He relaxes putting his phone away opening his book he flips through the pages finding the place he left of at since he doesn’t use bookmarks. He looks up from his book as the front door opens and Tommy comes running in with it slams shut, he flinched hitting his legs together he hates the sound the door makes he takes a deep breath looking at Tommy who runs upstairs the door opens again and Phil comes through it “Tommy come here, we need to talk” he says sternly he doesn’t sound very happy.

Wilbur and Ranboo come through the door closing it behind them Ranboo rushes over to the stairs they glance at him before running after Tommy.

“GO AWAY, you stupid old man! ” He hears Tommy scream, Techno flinches once again covering his ears with his hands forgetting his headphones on his neck, he hates screaming not only does his tigger memories of his childhood.. but it just tiggers him in general. He squeezes his eyes shut tight, he hears another door slam and another scream but he can’t make out the words.  

“Shut up,Shut up, Shut up” he mutters taking an rather shaky deep breath “Shut up, Shut up” he hears footsteps coming towards him “Techno yo-“ “SHUT UP!” He shouts kicking his legs out in front of him, knocking someone over his eyes flutter open Wilbur looks up at him clearly concerned he stands up off the ground Techno hits his hands against his the side of his head. “Hey, tech breath” Will says reaching over and taking the book off his lap setting it on the side table. 

Techno nods taking a deep breath “can you put your headphones back on?” Wilbur asks pointing at at his neck he quickly slides them on relaxing ever so slightly. Wilbur smiles “do you want your blanket?” Wilbur asks softly Techno sighs closing his eyes again sinking back into his chair nodding, Wilbur rushes up stairs somewhat quietly before he comes back down and drops the blanket around his shoulders. 

He curls up into a ball he brings his knees to chest , wrapping his arms around his legs, burying his head in his knees wrapping the blanket around him he hears Wilbur sit down somewhere. 

He stays with his eyes shut fir his knows how long, a weighted blanket draped over him and slowly swaying from side to side, until he hears a cough that Knocks him out of his thoughts. He looks up and notices Wilbur laying on the couch they make eye contact Techno nods at him before looking away he notices that he can no longer hear yelling or slamming of anything. 

“Your welcome by the way” Wilbur says laughing Techno grunts rolling his eyes “yeah yeah whatever,” he says letting his tail wrap around his waist he rolls his shoulders back taking yet again another deep breath he’s glad that he’s glad that his meltdown wasn’t too bad or last long enough to be much of an problem he’s not really in the mood to rock back and forth on floor while he sobs for thirty minutes because he lost his favorite book that was a whole thing and he knows that dad tells him not to be ashamed or embarrassed of his autism but he just can’t sometimes, he looks up and over at stairs as they creak and he runs his tongue over his teeth he really hates those stairs. 

Phil comes down the stairs looking rather exhausted “kids I’m I right” Wilbur says Phil looks over at him smiling “he reminds me of you as a teen” he says Wilbur opens his mouth to say something up closes it Phil laughs sitting on couch next to Wilbur, Wilbur kicks Phil Phil pushes him. He could say he missed these simple times. The last week has been crazy but he thinks everything will calm down. 

He spoke too soon as he hears glass break from upstairs he jolts sitting up straighter he looks at Phil then at Wilbur they all run upstairs into Tommy and Ranboo’s room the window is broken he rushes over to window he sees a sight of retreating figures. 

He looks at Phil he looks at window and Phil rarely cusses but “fucking Christ ” is all Phil says before running out the room. 

Chapter Text

Ranboo run beside Tommy as they run right into the forest they both run until they both got to their cave Tommy stopped catching his breath they didn’t stop though, running into the cave he dropped down in front of their stuff looking through it all they found their notebook taking it in their hands they smiled hugging it to their chest they sat down running they fingers on the cover Tommy walked over to them sitting down beside them. “This was kinda stupid” they mumble looking over at Tommy “breaking the window and running away.” They say Tommy hums “Yeah..maybe but at least we can get our stuff back” They nod grabbing their blanket and pulling it to their chest Tommy stands up.

Walking over to his bag that had his clothes in it Ranboo wraps his blanket around his neck like a scarf before standing up and walking over to Tommy “You gonna take your stuff home?” They asked Tommy shrugged his shoulders “Maybe,” he kicked his bag glaring at it bag “I don’t know if I want it, they don’t even fit me” he says frowning “Well we came here for my stuff,” Tommy nodded “and to fuck with Phil” he said grinning they tilted their head.

“You are messing with Phil not me, I just wanted my stuff, I take no part in any window breaking,” they said huffing, Tommy rolled his eyes, they looked over at him it’s a habit they guess, they walked out of the cave Tommy followed slowly behind him. They looked up at the sky and it seemed like it might rain, “so we're going back home now?”

They asked, they bite their lip wrapping their tail around their leg. They hate getting wet. Sometimes it burns their skin which is weird because they can take a bath but can’t go to the pool. It’s annoying. Tommy walks up to them so that we’re walking side by side home

“That house is not our home, it’s probably not even permanent Phil will probably just send us away” Tommy stated cruelly rolling his eyes they glanced away from him how could Tommy think that Phil would just give them up it’s not true Phil is nice and cares unlike everyone else “your wrong, Phil wouldn’t do” Tommy laughed “you don’t get it” they stopped walking Tommy stopped ahead of them.

“What are you doing? I thought you wanted to go” he said, raising an eyebrow, walking over to them “I do get it,” they said, looking Tommy in the eyes “Do you?” He said, cocking his head to the side “Yes I understand, that you don’t want us to be happy!” They shout at Tommy as they walk forward growling at him. Why does Tommy always want to run away? Especially after they find someone who wants to take care of them, someone who cares about them “You always do this, with Tubbo with Puffy. And now with Phil twice” they say angrily, which is new for them cause they never get angry.

They look at Tommy, his tail lashes behind them and stalks towards them, they back up “I’m trying to help us out, You idiot, maybe you would understand that if you weren’t so dumb!” Tommy sneered at them shoving them, they stumbled backward onto the ground Tommy glared at them before turning around and walking away, he walked they watched as he walked out of view not once turning to look at them not once did he yell out for them to stop being a baby and come back home with him they sat as he disappeared into the line of trees.

They sat there and curled up into a ball pulling their knees to their chest and wrapping their tail around their legs. They squeezed their eyes shut and sat there, cause what else were they meant to do? They were an idiot, completely useless.

———

Tommy walked back home he walked down the street stopping at Phil’s house he stood on the driveway he stared at the front door did he want to go inside? No, he wanted to go back to Ranboo but he won’t they didn't need him so he doesn’t need them.

He walks over to the front door pulling it open. It wasn't locked which is stupid who doesn’t lock their front door that’s like asking to be robbed.

Tommy walked inside, closing the door behind him “I’m back” He shouts walking over to the stairs and calling out he looked in the kitchen no one was there he walks into the living room smiling he has the house to himself he flopped down on the couch and grabs the remote he turned the tv on relaxing, he might as well enjoy the peace before Phil comes home and starts fussing over him and Wilbur too, he doesn’t need two people acting like he’ll die if he goes on a little walk to the playground or forest or if he jumps out a window he’s fine so he doesn’t think it matters.

He shifts on the couch laying down, kicking his shoes off and leaving them in front of the couch. He wonders how Phil would react when he comes home to find him lounging on the couch. He scrolls through channels on the tv clicks on the Disney channel yawns rests his head on the pillow on the couch waiting until everyone comes back.

Tommy sits up instantly as he hears the front door open he looks behind the couch locking eyes with Wilbur who rushes over to him picking him up off the couch pulling him to his chest wrapping his arms around him squeezing him tightly. Tommy grunts as his head is pushed into Wilbur’s stomach “Will, you're squishing me” he whines Wilbur chuckles letting go of him, Tommy backs up looking up at Wilbur who smiles at him, he looks behind him as Phil walks over to him not looking very happy Wilbur steps out the way “Tommy” Phil says standing in front him.

Tommy looks up at Phil, his tail tucked between his legs Phil’s wings flutter behind him he sighs “Tommy why did you run away and break the window?” He says, looking him in the eyes “Why not?” He said staring him in the eye “Tommy you can’t do that” he said pinching the bridge of his nose Tommy curled in on himself “Tommy,” Phil sighed “Kiddo can you go to my room please” he said Tommy glared at Phil “dad?” Tommy looked over at Techno as he spoke up walking over to Phil who looked over at Techno ``where's Ranboo?” He said looking at Phil and then at Tommy he just shrugs his shoulders “In the forest somewhere?, don’t know, doesn’t care” He said, rolling his eyes, Techno grunted, his ears flicked angrily, turning around and walking over to the door Phil looked over at Wilbur “make sure he stays in his room, I have kid to find and window to fix” he said mumbling the last part quietly before following Techno out the door closing the door behind him Wilbur walked over to the door locking it.

Tommy looked over at Wilbur who looked over at him Wilbur sighed “Come on Tommy we can hang out together” Tommy grunted walking upstairs with Wilbur following he and Wilbur sit down on Phil’s bed he sat there in bed leaning into Phil’s side he couldn’t help but feel like he fucked up, he wanted Ranboo. He really fucked up

Chapter Text

Tommy sat on Phil’s bed waiting for Phil to come in he looked at the door it was wide open Tommy rubbed his feet together why is Phil taking so long? Can’t he just come in here yell at him tell him that he’s oh so terrible then he go to his room and cry- no he won’t cry he’s a big man, big men don’t cry he stares at door he might run away again if he Phil doesn’t get here soon he doesn’t think he can sit still any longer waiting for Phil to come tell him, he’s gonna kick him out send him back and call his social worker tell him that he no longer wants to be his foster dad and he only fostered for him officially for like two days he’s not sure. 

Phil had mentioned it in their fight yesterday when Tommy had yelled at him “why do you care so much!” And Phil had yelled “cause I’m foster dad and your my kids, so I care about cause I want to keep-“ and blah, blah he doesn’t care to remember what else he said. 

“Tommy?” He looked at the voice Phil stood in front of him “Tommy, kiddo we really need to talk about this” he said Tommy looked away staring at his feet “I don’t want to” he mumbled Phil sighed closing the door behind him before sitting beside him but not to close Phil looked at him but Tommy stayed looking at his feet “I know kid, but we need to talk, you ran away twice today and, well it’s barley 10 clock.” Phil said “I know” he says flicking his tail onto his lap and squeezing it “okay. So you know that you put yourself and Ranboo in danger today” Tommy looks up turning his head to look at Phil “I kno- I know I’m sorry” Tommy muttered curling in on himself he couldn’t help but feel small and like he was dumb and maybe he was he broke a window because he wanted to who does that?

“Tommy you do understand why you're in trouble” Phil says Tommy looks away from Phil staring at his tail “I broke a window?” he said it was pretty obvious why he as in trouble rolling his eyes, he’s aware of what he did Phil just had to remind him. Phil nodded “yes, but you also could have been hurt and Ranboo could have too. That's what I really want you to understand Tommy I care less about the window and more about you being okay” Tommy nods “I know.” Phil nods “what I really want to know is why you did what you did?” Tommy freezes, why did he do that? 

“I wanted to make you mad” he says “okay, but why would you want to make me mad?” Phil asked Tommy grunts crossing his arms, his tail tail moving his tail to his side. 

Tommy shrugged his shoulders “I wanted to see what you would do” he said “you wanted to test my limits” Phil said softly frowning slightly Tommy nodded Phil turned so that he can look  at him fully Tommy looked away staring at the ground “maybe ” he says “kiddo, I’m never gonna hit you or hurt you in any way even if you pass my limits okay? I don’t believe in hitting my kids or yelling at them even if it doesn't help anything” Phil says “okay, sure” Tommy said.

Tommy frowns looking over at Tommy “what are you going to do now?” He asks “well, I think the right thing to do is to ground you” Phil said gently resting a hand on his shoulder Tommy looked up at Phil “that’s it?” He asked, a bit shocked that’s barely even a punishment he was expecting. He was expecting a lot worse. Phil smiles at him softly moving his hand off his shoulder “yes kiddo that’s it, you're grounded for two weeks no Tv or seeing friends but you can hang out with Ranboo or Will and tech just not Tubbo.” Phil said.

Tommy shrugged his shoulders “Tubbo is not my friend, don’t care” he says Phil smiles laughing he nods “okay, that’s okay” Phil says. “Well, you and Ranboo aren't able to sleep in your room since the window is broken so you can both sleep in my room or anywhere else” he said. 

Phil stood up “well I was making eggs for breakfast but it’s like,” he says looking at his watch “it’s like ten thirty” Tommy looks up at Phil as walks over to the door opening it “so McDonalds it is” Phil says clapping his hands together softly looking at Tommy 

“Why don’t you go find Ranboo, and ask them what they want” he said Tommy frowned “can’t be bo- Ranboo- me and Ranboo aren’t talking” he said stumbling over his words. Phil raised an eyebrow “you two aren't talking?” He asked Tommy nodded “okay.” 

Phil walked back over to him sitting down next to him “this why you left them in the forest, huh?” Tommy laughs “they had it coming, they're being mean” “were they, how were they being mean?” He asked Tommy, Why does Phil care? “They just were,” he said, hopping off the bed “can I go hangout with Will?” He asked gruffly Phil sighed “sure kiddo.” 

Tommy walked out of Phil's room walking over to Wilbur’s room he knocked on the door “come in!” He heard Wilbur yell, Tommy pushed the door open, walking in closing the door behind him he sighed looking at Wilbur who sat at his desk writing something on his phone Tommy ran over flopping down on Wilbur’s bed “tried?”

Wilbur chuckled “you’re dad’s very stupid” Tommy said his voice muffled as he buried his head in Wilbur’s pillow “he can be,” Wilbur said standing up “but he’s a good dad” he says laying down next to him Tommy turned his head to the side looking at Wilbur “alright, he’s better than most people” he says Wilbur laughed reaching his hand over to his hair. 

“Can I?” Tommy humed Wilbur ran his hand through his hair smiling Tommy relaxed moving over to bury his head in Wilbur’s side “your very warm” he said Wilbur scratched at his scalp “is that a good thing” Tommy nodded “that’s not really an answer Toms” Tommy flinched only Ranboo calls them that he never lets anyone else call him that, Wilbur seemed to notice that Tommy was uncomfortable “Tommy you good? I won’t call you that if you don’t want me to” he said softly Tommy bit his lip “n-n no I’m good you can call me that,” he says Wilbur smiles at him wrapping his arms around him “alright then” Wilbur says softly Tommy hums his tail wagging, maybe he doesn’t need Ranboo if he has Will.  

Chapter Text

Ranboo sits outside on a swing and they had no idea it was there before. There was a single seat hanging from the tree. A lonely swing, just like them except their swing. They kick their legs back and forth humming to themselves; they feel like they have been run over by a car. They hum a song that they heard on the radio as they kick their legs on the ground so the swing sways back and forth as they look at the ground. They really miss Tommy and they know Tommy hates them and well he didn’t say that he hates them but he must if he is still ignoring them a week later since they fought why is he still mad at them what are they doing wrong maybe they just messed up for the last time what if Tommy never forgives them and never talks to them again and what if? what if? what if…..what if? what if….what if? what if? what if…. what if he hates them.

They hit themselves in the head once, then once more than twice then they just sit there repeatedly hitting themselves, they feel bad, they feel wrong and they don’t like it. They pull at their hair trying to get the feeling to stop “ shut up, shut up, shut up”  they say wishing that their brain would shut up just once. 

They look up as they hear a door open, they drop their hands crossing their arms and bite the inside of the cheek. Techno steps out the house closing the sliding door behind him. He has his book in hand as he walks over to them sitting down on the ground and leaning against the tree opening his book and he just reads? They sway back and forth on the swing watching Techno to see what he does but he just reads. 

“Techno?” They say after a while he hums but doesn’t look up from his book “do you think Tommy hates me” Techno looks over at them “it’s been a week and he still hasn’t talked to me and we sleep in the same bed!” They say voice raising angrily at the end.

Techno clears his throat pushing his glasses up “I’m not sure kid.” He says Ranboo huffs their tail flicking “I’m sure that he doesn’t hate you” Techno said montone as ever but he did sound like he meant it “I think he does” “did he say that?” “w-well no he didn’t” “so how do you know that he hates you?” They shrug their shoulders staring at the ground. They don’t know if Tommy actually hates them or not but how could he not, they yelled at him! Why would they do that? Tears well up in their eyes Techno sighs “gosh kid, don’t cry'' Techno says quickly standing up and standing in front of them “please don’t cry I don’t do well with this stuff.” He says nervously, they pull at their hair tears streaming down their face, they grunt wrapping their tail around them “It’s not fair! ” They shout 

Techn kneels down in front of them gently grabbing at their hands “hey hey, Ran none of that, don’t hurt yourself kid,” he says frowning they let him pull their hands down Techno wipes their tears away and cupping their face. “Can I hug you?” He asks, Ranboo looks up at him before quickly sliding off the swing burying their face in Techno’s chest they hear him chuckle before wrapping his arms around them he stands up and picking them up and walking inside Ranboo rests they head on his shoulder as Techno walks upstairs and into his room. 

He closes the door behind him Ranboo sniffles gripping the back of Techno’s shirt Techno lays down the his bed with them laying in his chest holding him tightly “your be fine kid I promise” he says rubbing they back they sniffle “d- do you thi- think he- he’ll ever forgive m-me?” They ask, Techno sighs “I think Tommy’s just being petty” Ranboo bites their lip “maybe.” Techno sighs “you don’t need him” Ranboo sniffles “ what? ” “I know you miss him but I promise you'll be fine without him, he’s gonna talk to you again eventually. '' They shrug his  “ maybe try talking to him again kid” Techno suggests running his hands through their hair “o-okay” they say biting their lip they talk Tommy he couldn’t still be mad, right?

Wrong oh they were very wrong he most definitely can still be mad. 

They had gone to go find Tommy. He was in the room they walked in closing the door and said a little “hello” Tommy looked up from the book he was reading sighing and rolling his eyes. He stood up going to leave but they had grabbed his arm. Bad idea. 

Tommy had whipped around yanking his arm away from them “don’t you fucking touch me!” He shouted they backed up stumbling backwards “I just wanna talk Tommy” they said quietly, Tommy bared his teeth at them “ well , I don’t want to talk to you” he sneered Ranboo curled in on themselves this is not going to plan “b-but ww- why?” They ask nervously Tommy grunts his tail lashing behind him “cause I hate you!” “But why!” They shouted confused “ cause you don’t care about me” Tommy yelled back “but-“ Tommy just scoffed  “but it’s okay you don’t need to care about me cause I don’t care but you anymore I’m done” he said walking out the room. They dropped to the ground sitting their they stared at floor slowly rocking from side to side tears streaming down their face they wanted to scream to yell for Tommy to come back they wanted to scream and cry and throw things around to trash the room to do anything but sit sob but their voice felt stuck and so did they. 

That’s how Techno found them laying on their back sobbing on the floor he had rushed over to them picking them up asking them what was wrong and they hadn’t answered they couldn't. Techno had carried them back to his room tucking them into his bed before marching downstairs yelling for Tommy to come here.

They had listened to Techno yell at Tommy about how he can’t keep ignoring them and treating them like they nothing worth while, his words not theirs Tommy and had not like that went on about how annoying their are and saying that they always act like an baby and they stopped listening there quickly covering they ears with their hands laying like that for a while blocking out the yells but eventually Phil had came into Techno’s room with Tommy behind him. “We need to talk” Ranboo sat up quickly Phil smiled softly gesturing for them to come over to him they got up walking over to Phil, Phil led them and Tommy into their room Tommy kept giving them dirty looks as they walked.

Phil sits in between them and Tommy “would you two please tell me what it is that’s making you guys so mad at each other'' Tommy laughs “Ranboo’s a little bitch” he says Phil sighs “Tommy I know you're mad but we’re here to talk not throw around petty insults” Tommy frowns Phil looks over at them “what happened Ranboo?” He asks they shrug their shoulders “it's my fault” they say “kiddo I’m sure that’s not true,” Phil said softly patting they knee they bite their lip they see Tommy roll his eyes “it’s definitely they fault” Tommy growls Phil turns back to him holding a hand up “Tommy I get that your mad but that doesn’t mean you can take that out at Ranboo” he says sternly Tommy huffs “fine” he mumbles. 

Phil looks back over to him “okay Ranboo can you tell me what happened?” Phil asks with a soft look on his face “I wanted to ta-t talked to T-Tommy about why he’s ignoring m-m me and he got m-a mad” they look away as he glares at them. “Alright, thank you” Phil said, ruffling their hair as they lean into the touch. Phill looks at Tommy “alright Tommy why are so upset with Ranboo” Tommy frowns. “Because” he says “that’s not an answer Toms” Ranboo looks up at the nickname only they can call Tommy that they look at Tommy who stares at them confused, cocking an eyebrow at them. “what?” He says they shrug their shoulders “nothing.” “Tommy, do you have a reason to still be mad?” Phil says Tommy sighs “ they yelled at me” “ well did you yell at them?” Ranboo looks at Tommy then Phil sinking into the bed they really want to go back to Techno “ w-well yes I did b-but  that’s different!” He said “why is that different?” “because it just is.” 

Phill shakes his head “once again that’s not an answer toms” he says Tommy groans “because I didn’t like it when they yelled it hurt my feelings alright” Phil nods looking over at them “when Tommy yelled at you did it hurt” they nod “okay well it seems like you both owe each other a apologize” Tommy opens his mouth to say something but Phil holds an hand up Tommy flinched Phil frowned lowing his hand “I’m not gonna hit you Tommy,” he says softly Tommy nods “I promise I’ll never hit you, I’ll never hurt you two never” he says “I know” Tommy says Phil nods too before standing up “I think you two need to talk, keyword talk no fighting” he says looking at Tommy then them “yeah, yeah we got it” Tommy says Phil nods walking out sending on last look over his shoulder before closing the door. 

Tommy looks at them “so you going to apologize?” He says Ranboo frowns “you have say sorry too” Tommy closes his eyes laying back in the bed his tail flicking it onto his stomach they both sit there in silence until Tommy clears his throat “I don’t hate you, you know that” he says opening his eyes and looking at them not making eye contact but at them. 

“I don’t know that” They say Tommy looks away and up at the ceiling “okay.” He says. “Well I’m sorry” “for what?” “For saying you don’t care about me” he sits up playing with his tail “for making you think I hate you, I’m really sorry about that” Ranboo moves over to sit next to Tommy. 

“I’m sorry for yelling at you, and saying those things” Tommy moved his tail onto his lap “well,” Tommy started scratching at his head “you weren’t wrong” he said looking at them they shrug their shoulders “yeah” “just yeah?”  he says laughing “yes” they respond Tommy rolls his eyes running a hand through his hair “I think Phil is ... .good” he says smiling “yeah?” They say Tommy nods “and you?” Tommy asks softly Ranboo runs his hands through Tommy fur they own tail curling around their leg. “It’s a good home, they care about us” they say Tommy grabs them wrapping his arms around them they freeze for second before melting into the touch “I missed you” Tommy laughs “I didn’t” Tommy says Ranboo looks up at him and he can’t even keep a straight face. 

They smile “yeah sure not funny ” they say Tommy smiles at them “I missed you boo, I really did. I think I have a problem with grudges” they nodded Tommy doesn’t really forgive easy he never has well not as long as they’ve known him “I think so too” Tommy hums laying down on his back they snuggle up resting their head on his shoulder “it’s okay bubba I understand” “I know, you understand you always do.” Ranboo smiles, wrapping an arm around Tommy. 

“You're a good brother” they say Tommy tenses “what?” “I mean it bubba” they say looking at Tommy’s face they make eye contact and Tommy looks at them surprised “your best brother I could ask for” they say looking away and burying their face in Tommy’s side a little embarrassed “well your best little brother I could ever have” Tommy said softly holding them tighter, keeping them safe tucked to his chest just like always but this time theirs nothing that he had to keep them safe from it was just them in their room in each other's arm. 

“I love you” they say Tommy giggled “of course you do how could you not!” He says grinning Ranboo pushed him off the bed. 

Chapter Text

A lot had happened in the last few weeks, first he went to hospital fur that injury he got then the police came as Tommy and Ranboo have technically been missing for a few years now. And now Phil is working on becoming him and Ranboo legal guardian, like adoption not fostering much to his surprise and fear and Ranboo’s pure relief and joy. But it’s been five weeks since the state said Phil could foster them as he had a license and everything. But that’s a whole lot of time passed by and a lot of shit that happened too. He’s not sure what to think of it. He glances at Ranboo who’s sprawled across the bed “we should leave” Ranboo threw a pillow at his head “no” Tommy threw a arm up and swatted the

pillow away and onto the floor, he whined his tail fluffing up “whyyy?” Ranboo kicked their leg out and failed to hit Tommy “cause I like it here” Tommy paused looking closely at Ranboo they were clean and comfy, they took a bath this morning much to their delight and Tommy’s dismay when he realized he was next. 

“Well I hate here” Ranboo finally sat up giving him a confused look “why?” Tommy blinked and shrugged “mhn.. cause” he grumbled “uh- eat the rich?” Ranboo frowned at him, “huh? You can’t eat people Tom’s” Tommy threw at pillow at Ranboo “I know that!” Ranboo flinched back as the pillow hit them in the head “really? You sure?” Tommy whined loudly and flopped back into the bed “your stupid” Ranboo mumbled something under their breath and Tommy sat to hit them with a comeback but they hopped off the bed “I’m gonna go find Techno!” They said excitedly but didn’t move instead looking at him expectedly with great effort he slide off the bed and onto the floor before following Ranboo in their journey at finding Techno. 

Tommy stomped after Ranboo “I don’t get why you even like Techno, he’s weird” Ranboo turned to him to say something but he cut them off “is it cause your weird too so you can be little weirdos together?” Ranboo shoved him “shut” Tommy laughed, as Ranboo gave him a dirty look. 

Ranboo pushed him again, harder and he stumbled, falling back, Ranboo ran off giggling as he did. Tommy stood up and chased after him “you jerk!” He yelled, giggling too as Ranboo knocked on Techno’s door before shoving it open Tommy paused before slowly following them in. Techno was sat on computer, tapping away not looking at the two of them as they walked in “sup” Tommy said as Ranboo scurried over to Techno’s desk “wooo, you playing Minecraft?” Techno hummed. He looked around Techno’s room it was…. it had a lot of stuff but was cleaner than Wil’s. 

A shelf full of bugs caught his eyes, he hurried over to it. There were butterflies, bees and wasps were pinned to blocks of styrofoam “woah…” he whisperes “hey!” He paused his hand mid air as he went to grab  a block of the foam. “Heh- yeah?” Techno has closed his game and was now looking at him intensely “do not.” Tommy pulled his hand away “cool bugs” Techno narrowed his eyes at him “don’t go around touching stuff that ain’t yours” he looked over at Ranboo who was shaking his head disappointingly. Techno leaned back in his chair, he was quiet as Ranboo went over to fish tank in the corner of room that was another he noticed, Techno’s room was quite big “you like bugs?” Techno asked and Tommy turned back to him “oh yeah bugs are hip I’d say I like em even more tubs does” Techno quirks a brow at him “mhn, Tubbo helped me check those bugs” Tommy glanced to the bugs and back at Techno “I could help you catch more and better bugs than Tubbo ever could” he said, confidently “Tommy likes to eat bugs” Tommy whips around to glare at Ranboo “I do not!” Ranboo gave him a look “it’s okay bubs no need to be ashamed” Tommy huffed “it was one time and it was a dare!” He looked back at Techno “techno hit him he being mean” Techno moved and for a split second he thought he actually would and Tommy stepped a over a bit closer to Ranboo. But Techno just snorted and shifted in his chair “nah” Tommy frowns “your both bullies, I’m telling Phil” he ran out the room and he heard Ranboo yell after him “hey come back Tom’s!” 

Tommy made it successfully down the stairs before Ranboo caught up, Wilbur and Phil were in kitchen, Phil cooking something on the stove. Tommy sniffed the air it smelled good he went j to the kitchen and Wilbur smiled at him “Tommy whatch up to?” And Phil gave him a smile too “you   hungry kiddo?” Tommy looked at the both them “Technos bullying me and Ranboo is his little minion and yes I’m hungry” Wilbur laughed “Techno? What he do?” Phil laughs quietly as he flips something in a pan on the stove he ignores Wilbur’s question “what are you making?” “Food” Tommy huffs his tail thumping the floor “well no duh, but what type of food?” Phil laughs because he clearly thinks that he’s just so funny “its a grill cheese you want one?” Tommy perked up, cheese and bread? Hell yeah. 

“Yup, making sure to burn it but not too much” Phil smiled and nodded “on it” and places the grill cheese on a plate and Wilbur grabbed it and bit into it eagerly and sat at the kitchen isle, spinning on the stool. 

“Tommy!” Ranboo said as he skipped down the steps, Techno not far behind “oh gosh they finally found me” he mumbles.

Tommy went over to Wilbur and sat down on the stool next to him, swinging his legs back and forth “must you eat so stupidly” he said as Ranboo walked over to him “you left” Tommy shrugged “food” Ranboo sits next to him “no you left cause your wuss!” Tommy smacks Ranboo’s hand “no I am not” Ranboo rips their hand away and hits his arm Tommy smacks them again. 

“Hey you two stop it” Tommy looks back up at Phil “he started it!” He pointed at Ranboo who rolls his eyes and looks at Phil “what you making?” “A grill cheese for Tommy, you want one?” They shake his head “no, no can I have a bowl of turkey?” Phil laughs “a bowl of turkey?” Tommy scoffs “your taste in food is confusing” Ranboo smiles his tail wagging “you won’t understand a bowl of deli turkey is nice or ground beef is nice too” Phil places a grill cheesed not yet grilled in the pan before walking over to the fridge, grabbing a package of turkey and a bowl. 

“Now that your both here I want to talk to you two about something” Tommy glanced at Ranboo who looked over at him, fearful “about?” Tommy reached over and grabbed Ranboo’s hand “it’s not really real bad okay? It’s about school your both at an age where you school be enrolled in school” Tommy went to protest but Phil cut him off “I’m sorry but going to school is not negotiable you legally need to go and you both got an excuse gut the last weeks because of everything going on”

Phil sighed, placing the food in front of Ranboo who just looked at it “but I got a writer saying I’m required to send you school in the next couple of weeks or other know legally trouble” Tommy frowned his anger shifting “so- so the…. The stupid fucking state is gonna’ try and arrest you if you don’t send us school?” Phil nodded, “pretty much but you dint have go back this week, you both got three weeks to deal with this all, alright?” Wilbur scoffed  aside him “schools suck” Tommy nodded “yeah! Schools suck and teachers suck more” Phil hushed Wilbur “your not helping” Ranboo squeezed his hand before pulling away “are going to Tubbo’s school?” 

“Do you want to? I can enroll you in any school you want as long as it’s in the area,”  Tommy shrugs “sure” and Ranboo nodded, seeming a little less nervous and finally eating their stupid bowl of turkey. 

“Your sick” Ranboo smiles “I feel quite good actually” Tommy ignores this and looks back at Phil flipping his grill cheese. He’s getting a little impatient, wanting to stuff his face with cheese and bread. He looks over at Wilbur who finishes his sandwich “what school are you in?” Wilbur yawns and sips at his cup “willow- creek academy, it’s a private school, Tubbo’s school is called pinetree trail” Tommy laughed, “pinetree trail, really? That’s so stupid man” Wilbur nods “yeah it is” and he chugs the rest of his drink which he thinks is coffee so Wilbur chugging it just like that is disgusting. 

His ears perk up when Phil sets a grilled cheese, a crispy grill cheese sandwich in front of him “eat up” and he dies but be shed he’s hungry but because Phil says so. “You want something techno?” Phil calls out looking to the living room he had ent even reslized that Techno was in the living room. 

“No” Techno calls out voice monotone as he walks into the kitchen “your loud” he says as he grabs a water from a fridge and leaves, Tommy rolls his eyes “I’m just expressing myself” “my bursting peoples eardrums?” Tommy flips Ranboo off and hops off the stool and takes his sandwich with him and his plate, dropping it in the sink and finishing his sandwich quickly before running upstairs, debates going back downstairs and sitting with Ranboo but decided to go and mope in his room. 

———

Ranboo watched Tommy leave “school?” He looks at Phil who was cleaning up “huh?” Ranboo played around with their food “when do you think we’re go to school?”

Phil put the last of the dishes in the dishwasher “well we have three weeks to figure it all out so I probably enroll you this week or next and and then go to the school the third week.” Ranboo nodded along as he spoke “and I want you and Tommy to have enough time to settle into the idea of school before I send you off to school” Ranboo nods and finishes the rest of his food, wanting to go talk to Tommy. Spinning his chair around he nods “okay thank you” they smile awkwardly at Phil who waves his hand dismissively “no need to thank me, they gave us three weeks might as well use them” Ranboo shook his head “it’s still nice if you”  Wilbur laughs from aside him “do you Tommy would bite anyone at school?” Ranboo looks at Wilbur, laughing a little he nodded “I think he would,” Phil sighed and shook his head “I hope not” and then he looked at them “you done?” He nodded and Phil took his bowl and Ranboo took that as his cue to leave.

Ranboo scurried away from the kitchen isle and up the stairs and back to the room where Tommy is probably pouting about school and he understand he was nervous at first too but now he’s kinda excited to go to the third grade with both Tommy and Tubbo.