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Their dinner was quiet, it always was. Simple fast food Tubbo picked up after their patrol. Burgers today, and from Ranboo's favorite place no less.
He thought it was a strange choice, the two of them had a long patrol where Tubbo had taken a couple hard hits from some drunks;—nothing too bad but he'll have a few bruises— they wouldn't have blamed their roommate if he wanted something else. Ranboo's favorite wasn't entirely Tubbo's and vice versa, they typically saved those for special occasions or if one suddenly got a craving and they both happened to agree on it. Ranboo figures it's most likely the second.
He wasn't about to complain though. Any excuse to get his hands on that double bacon cheeseburger, he would gladly take.
The lights in the kitchen are off, as is the rest of their apartment. Lights were always the last thing they prioritized when it came to rent. The two didn't make nearly enough to cover everything for this coming month, they were hoping to shave off a few bucks by living in darkness for a couple days.
So their dinner is candle lit with some that Tubbo let him pick out. Which again is strange, he was usually so picky when it came to that. Tubbo's nose tended to be more sensitive to smells so he preferred the unscented options, though he's never said it out loud.
Ranboo had just kind of noticed the faces he would make when they burned a scented candle, the kind that looked like he could hurl any second. So they just stopped buying scented candles and when questioned Ranboo didn't admit that it was something they noticed, they felt it was a strange thing to do without being explicitly told. So he used the excuse of "they're just cheaper and easy to thrift," which wasn't a complete lie anyway.
So he chooses one of those seven day unscented candles and a couple loose ones he finds in a bag somewhere to create a decent amount of light to accompany their meal.
The two stare off into the distance, only occasionally looking at each other, no words exchanged because there wasn't much to say. It was late. They were tired. It's been a long day and a conversation really wasn't necessary when they were together for most of it.
Though despite everything that's happened today, his roommate looked more tense than usual. Anxious. Not exhausted to the bone like himself.
It causes Ranboo to side eye him, giving more glances than he was receiving, a silent question Tubbo must catch wind of if his shuffling in his seat is anything to go by. He wouldn't say anything though. They would talk if needed, he had faith in that.
So he opts to ignore Tubbo's bouncing leg, his forearms that are tensed where they lean on the table, the way his jaw was stiff as it worked around his food, how he's gripping his burger like it's going to jump out of his hands, and even the fact he hasn't made eye contact for the past few minutes and the fact it was starting to feel intentional.
They had been living together for a bit now and have been working together for longer; they knew each other, though that wasn't to say they were always friends. Their relationship had been almost strictly business up until their identities were revealed and they both realized living together wouldn't be such a bad idea. But they've grown to the point that Ranboo knew that if he needed to Tubbo would talk or at least give a sign he wanted to; and well, he did not look like he wanted to talk right now.
So their dinner is quiet and candle lit in a dark apartment at three in the morning. Ranboo still had an actual job he had to be at in about four hours, and since Tubbo just lost his recently he had a day of searching for one to look forward to.
They were tight on money and unfortunately vigilantism didn't pay very well. Not reliably at least.
Ranboo drifts into thinking of quick and temporary ways of fixing that—they could always rob a grocery store if they got desperate— when Tubbo suddenly stops bouncing, heaves a sigh, and sets down his burger.
He proceeds to pull out a small red velvet box and sets it between them. Ranboo freezes mid chew for a moment, eyeing it before raising an eyebrow and giving his roommate a questioning look.
Tubbo simply snacks on his french fries, nervously not meeting their eyes. So Ranboo gingerly picks up the box to open it.
Inside is a ring. One very clearly hand made from a metal familiar from his work shop. His chewing slows as Ranboo tries to figure out what this meant. "What's this?" It's the first thing either of them have said since sitting down.
"A proposal." Tubbo refuses to look at him. "Our finances aren't looking the best right now and when I was looking for jobs the other day, I saw some offering marriage benefits..." Ranboo doesn't think he's ever seen his roommate so red. "Apparently getting married also has government tax benefits too." He rattles on what that could do for them before cutting himself off, seemingly embarrassed.
Huh. Not the first thing Ranboo would have thought up.
This didn't exactly fill the box for the "quick and temporary fix" Ranboo was thinking of, but it was certainly a fix.
He assesses the ring. Probably casted into a mold, it was shiny, a simple sliver band a bit on the skinny side with an engraved "T" on the inside of it. Though the engraving is so light he can't decide if it's intentional or not.
It's a pretty ring. Thoughtfully put together too.
Ranboo supposed this could be quick, all they needed was, what, an officiant, a witness, and a few documents? And, well, divorce always existed.
He thinks about having to go into work later, Niki and Jack seeing the band. Customers would think he was romantically involved somehow and Ranboo would have to answer to his employers and regulars why he never told them he was in a relationship the whole time. Same with anyone else he'll meet, having to forever explain that oh no we don't like each other like that, we're just broke.
The prospect was annoying, it would be easier to just pretend they did it for love. Though the thought of having to call Tubbo his husband made his skin crawl with something warm and fuzzy. It would make sense to fake it, but the giddy feeling Ranboo was getting at the mere idea was concerning.
He plucks the ring from the soft velvet, faintly wondering where the box even came from,—it looked expensive— the metal smooth and cold under his fingers.
He slides it onto his ring finger, a perfect fit. How the hell Tubbo got his ring size is a mystery. Ranboo doesn't dwell on it.
He decides he likes it, shrugging a nod, and goes back to finishing his meal if only to distract from the strange excitement bubbling in his chest and the warmth in his cheeks.
Tubbo fiddles with the corner of his burger wrapper. "Sooo..? I mean, I get if you wouldn't want to. I just thought-"
Ranboo gives a thumbs up, "Yeah, why not. Not much else we can do."
His roommate sighs in relief, tension and nervousness nearly all gone. "Okay." It's barely a whisper. "Cool."
Ranboo smirks at the light blush dusting his now fiancée's cheeks—it's hard to see through the candle light—as he tries to act normal, resting his chin in his hand while he sips at his drink, looking away and past him. He looks less tense but there's still a bit of something keeping him on edge.
Ranboo doesn't want that.
"Does yours have a 'R' in it?" He asks, feeling the letter scratch against his skin as he spins and messes with it on his finger. Tubbo hesitantly nods. "It's a nice touch. I like it." Each reassuring word has him relaxing more.
They're quiet for a bit longer, Ranboo finishing his food faster than his partner and shoving his trash in the bag. A thought then comes to him. Sheepish, they ask, "Can I design the wedding rings?"
Tubbo tries to hide his smile behind his drink. "Of course."