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Ranboo lays awake staring at the figure in the bed laying beside them. Today has been such a long day.. When Ranboo woke up in the morning, they didn't expect to run into Tubbo again after so long of Ranboo being revived - it'd been months. Ranboo would've expected Tubbo to be more… Surprised that Ranboo was revived. Ranboo had been dead for longer than a year after all..
But this was Tubbo and so Ranboo just told themself that he probably was just keeping it to himself - would explain how weird he was acting. Then Tommy came along and told Ranboo that Tubbo was acting weird and it only put more doubt in Ranboo's mind.
Now… Ranboo knows the figure laying in the bed beside them wasn't Tubbo.
It was someone else.
Ranboo tucks their hand under their pillow - adds more support as they stare the other down. Tommy said he thinks it's XD. Ranboo believes Tommy. Ranboo knew that Tubbo would never act like this - even if Ranboo had been dead for decades, Ranboo knew Tubbo would've never acted this.. off. He sounded weird - said he was sick from traveling, but.. He sounded like he was trying to do an impression of himself and was failing.
Ranboo's hand twitched to reach out - brush the hair from the imposter’s face and just pretend Tubbo was back. In the short time that Ranboo had been naive, they were so happy having their husband back. They were happy to hold his hand and look him in the eye and.. see him. Ranboo thinks that Tubbo even called them his husband.. He called them his husband…
Ranboo doesn't reach out that night - rolls over and faces Tommy as he stares at the ceiling. A small pang wrenches Ranboo's heart as they watch him - they knew he hadn't been sleeping as much but.. It made Ranboo feel bad seeing it in person. Usually Ranboo was asleep by this hour - far too exhausted to even lay awake, but.. tonight was the exception and tonight, they got to see just how vulnerable their best friend was yet again.
Ranboo thinks that ever since they moved in with Tommy, they've seen Tommy with his walls down more than ever. Maybe that's just the effect of living in the same walls for months - the same had happened when Ranboo started living with Techno and Phil, even more when they moved in with Tubbo. Ranboo had seen the reality of all of them behind closed doors and this was how Tommy was like.
Ranboo wished that they could do more to help Tommy - wish they could help him float above water and ensure he doesn't sink. They know he likes to be independent but sometimes.. Ranboo notices that Tommy stumbles like anyone else does. Tommy would need help and Ranboo would do everything in their power to try and lift him up.
“You're staring, Ranboob.”
Tommy's voice dragged Ranboo back into reality and out of thoughts. Ranboo forgot that they had been staring at him - didn't realize he had turned to face them as well.
“Yeah, sorry..” Ranboo murmurs apologetically. Prime.. They really should apologize to Tommy for not believing him before - for implying that Tommy was lying and was just making it all up. Ranboo knew what it was like to be considered crazy - to be told their words were lies and they were making it all up. “Just.. Thinking about today..”
Ranboo doesn't move - keep their face towards Tommy and not facing the imposter beside them. They notice a flicker of sadness in Tommy's eyes before he shoves it away, like he always does, and turns away once again - it was best they don't discuss the topic any further. They didn't know if “Tubbo” was even awake - he knew the two were becoming suspicious after all. Still, they both didn't want to confirm the god's suspicions.
If he knew, prime knew what would happen. He was already manipulating them both - convincing Tommy that everyone he loves is dead while manipulating Ranboo into a deal that would ruin all their relationships. They've each seen just how ruthless the god had been.. What if he followed through with his threats? Ranboo's seen XD kill Eret because Eret upset him. What if that was Tommy next..? Or even..
Ranboo forces themself to lay on their back once again - forces their gaze onto the ceiling as their lips press into a tight line. They should probably get some sleep. They knew they should. They can't though - not with XD sleeping beside them.
.. If it even is XD…
Ranboo knows that it very much is, but.. They still hold out the hope that it's actually Tubbo. That Tubbo is just genuinely acting this strange because Ranboo is back and he is just sick from traveling and.. It's him. Ranboo knows it's the hope of seeing Tubbo again that surrounds their heart that is pushing this narrative out of their brain, but they know they also have to think logically.
Tubbo would never spontaneously go on a trip.
If he did, then Tommy would have to have known and Tommy didn't know. The two were as thick as thieves and if Tubbo just.. does that, then that's not the Tubbo that Ranboo fell in love with. That fact is what sobers Ranboo enough to remember that XD is pretending to be Tubbo. Prime, they don't know what they're going to do when the morning comes. They're going to need to wake up beside the imposter and the thought of flirting with someone who isn't their ex husband makes them feel sick - even if the person shares Tubbo's face.
With a heavy sigh, Ranboo covers their face with their hands - drags them down before they stand from the bed. “I'm going on a walk” They suddenly announce to the blond - to “Tubbo” too if he was even awake. Without a second glance, they pad down the stone ground and through the door - heading straight outside. They breathe in a deep inhale of fresh air - closing their eyes. It felt wrong leaving Tommy alone in that room with that person but they didn't know what else to do. Today has been a lot and Tommy would understand - he goes on walks all the time to clear his head (at least that's what Tommy would tell them is the purpose).
With that, Ranboo takes off into the night.