Archive of Our Own ^beta

Ranboo is very skilled at being patient and holding his tongue. He thinks a lot of things, things that could sting like a cut, burn like a slap, or ache like a punch, but he doesn't say anything. Because he's seen first hand how retaliation against unreasonable men only leads to further conflict. They'd rather be a 'sheep' and 'boring' than risk their loved ones by arguing against words that were said with the intent to provoke, to anger.

So they'll let Tommy protect them (as long as he doesn't get hurt doing so). He'll let people dislike him all they want (as long as it's not his family). They'll let them think they stand for nothing (when they'd fight thousands of armies to protect those they truly care about). They'll let them call them a sheep (when he has always been willing to bite like a wolf).

Ranboo doesn't care what anyone does, as long as it doesn't affect their family. They can think what they want, because he knows the truth, how wrong they are. Ranboo doesn't care what people say about him. It just gets annoying after hearing the same thing for the hundredth time, repeated over and over again.

But do you know what really bothers Ranboo? When it begins to hurt his family. Whether it's because they begin to think those things true, or because people begin to hurt them.

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"I don't get why Tommy's so protective over you, it's not like the kid can do much more harm than you can." It's Technoblade who says it, while they're together, chopping at some wood. It catches Ranboo of guard, especially considering they've been spending the moment in silence, before this.

Tommy hates being called a kid. He's not a kid anymore, that choice was stripped away from him. Tommy's more skilled with weapons than people give him credit for, I've seen him slice creepers in two with a half broken iron sword. You've only ever seen him when he's fighting against his abuser, a man he's terrified by, and yourself, someone he used to look up to so highly, he could never bring himself to truly harm you. And aren't you the one that taught him, Techno? Doesn't that mean you failed as a teacher, nevermind a brother? He's traumatized, he's been left by everyone at one point, even me. Of course he'll cling to and protect those that come back and stay.

Those are just some of the thoughts that run through Ranboo's head, yet he says none of them. Instead, he turns to Technoblade and slowly raises an eyebrow. "I mean, to be fair, can you blame him? Place kinda sucks, even with Dream in prison." Ranboo huffs, reaching down to lug a log over his shoulder, one of many he and Techno have been collecting over the past half hour or so. The Piglin snorts and shakes his head, picking up his own log. "Nah, I suppose not." And... that's that.

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"Not a lot of people like you, do they Ranboo? Why is that?" Niki asks innocently, sewing up a small tear in one of their jackets. (They would've gone to Tommy, but he was asleep, and Ranboo would never have it in them to wake the blonde up when he's always so damn exhausted.)

Because I don't bother humoring them, because I look them in the eye as they insult everything about me, do anything to get under my skin, and then turn my head. Because they do all that they can to get me under their thumb, to listen to their every word, when they fail to realize that I've known what they're doing for weeks. Because every attempt gets so close to succeeding, but it fails the moment I decide "no" or it'll hurt my loved ones. Because I'm willing to do anything for you guys, and that's what they want me to be like towards them, except more like a servant than a dedicated friend, brother or father.

Ranboo doesn't say that, obviously not. "Probably because of my devilishly good looks and charming personality." They grin, dramatically flicking a hand out as they lean back. "I'm simply too funny, so they get all jealous and mad." Niki giggles at his theatrics, shaking her head fondly. "Oh Ranboo, of course! Everyone's simply jealous of you! How could I not see that sooner?" She plays along, grinning wide enough that it must hurt her cheeks. "Ah, you know how it goes, the hardest things to find are the ones hiding in plain sight and all." Ranboo waves a hand, and the conversation shifts just like that, Niki immediately ranting about how she was trying to find something the day before, looking for an hour, only to see it on her desk.

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"It pisses me off when people say you stand for nothing." Ranboo pauses where he's tending to the garden, turning to look at Tommy in confusion. "I mean- how stupid are they? How blind can they be to say that? I don't get it!" The blonde huffs, grip tightening around his knitting needles.

Of course they don't. To them, emotional connections are as useless and disgusting as eating dirt. They will never understand what Ranboo means when he says that he stands for his loved ones, because they think the only things you can stand up for are yourself, and stupid countries doomed from the beginning. They see my stance on things and call it weak, stupid, tell me that I'm a pushover and destined to fall. That one day reality will strike me, like what I believe isn't true, like it hasn't already. Like wanting to stay with someone, simply because you love them, is as impossible as the tooth fairy. They see my stance and call me delusional, when all they know and think is violence, hurting and being hurt.

Ranboo doesn't say that. Instead, he smiles and turns to face Tommy completely. "I don't really care what they say Toms, so you don't need to worry about it, alright?" They chuckle, wiping their hands off. "But why?! It's so obviously wrong and meant to put you down!" The blonde furrows his brows, setting down his knitting supplies so he can properly vent his frustration.

Ranboo's smile turns sad, and they move to kneel in front of him, putting their hands on his shoulders, gaining his full attention. "Gem, while it makes me so happy to know that you care about me so much, I learned long ago that paying those comments attention only gives them more power. It's better to move on and ignore them, as long as it doesn't hurt someone, because I know the truth, I'll always know the truth, and they can't take that away from me. And as long as I have people like you, who share that truth with me, then I'm content in life."

Tommy stares at them for a moment, before grumbling quietly and leaning forward to hug them. "... I hate it when you're right." He mumbles, and Ranboo can't help but laugh, happily hugging him back. This is a conversation Ranboo knows will be brought up again later, but that's alright, they'll enjoy the soft and quiet while they have it.

(And if a few days later, Ranboo sees Jack say something that made Tommy turn with an expression of indignation and anger, only to watch him take a deep breath and walk away? Well, that's between him and you, and the cookies he bakes for Tommy in response... And the light bit of threatening he gave Jack when he noticed the man was going to chase after Tommy.)

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"... Y'know, I can kinda see why some people call you a sheep..." This is not what Ranboo expected to hear from their husband after getting home from a long day full of activities, namely helping Techno build something and mine with (for) Tommy.

Of course you can, you've always been the most impressionable of us all, the one easiest to turn against others. At no fault of your own, really, but the adults that failed you, you and Tommy both, over and over and over again. It's what you've been taught will keep you safe, even though you see that's not true now. Habits built off trauma are the hardest to break, even when you know it's something that could harm your friends. You see what they mean, because that's what you've been conditioned to do, so you won't get hurt. So it's no surprise to hear you say that, when you haven't seen the things I've done, heard the things I'm willing to do. Just like so many others, you've only seen the part of me that I let you see.

"Why, is it because I'm so soft?" Ranboo asks with a grin, putting his hands on his cheeks, instead of spewing out any other words that just went through his brain. Tubbo turns to look at him, brows furrowed in confusion and frowning slightly. "No-" Ranboo cuts him off, putting up a finger. "Actually, don't tell me, I already know." Tubbo only looks more confused. "... You do?" Ranboo nods and hums. "Clearly, it's the fact that we both suffer great risks of dying should we get stuck on our backs for more than a few minutes." They grin, putting their hands on their hips.

"That's not-" Ranboo turns and starts striding up the stairs, cutting Tubbo off once more. "Well, it's been a long day, I'm going to go get changed, say hello to Michael, and then hit the hay. Night Tubbo." They wave goodbye, not looking behind them. ".... Night Boo."

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So... Yeah. Ranboo's pretty good at holding his tongue and being patient. But, like it was stated at the beginning, Ranboo hates when it affects his family. So, sometimes, even they can't keep quiet.

- Following the ruckus, they turned the corner to see Tommy and Wilbur standing in front of the former's house....