Ranboo's POV:

I'd accepted the fact that I was in love with Tubbo. After everything that had happened, there was no way that I didn't love him. I wasn't gonna tell him, though. I wasn't ready. Plus, there was still a chance that he didn't want to be anything more than friends.

It hurt thinking about it, but it was true. No matter how much I desperately wanted him to feel the same, I couldn't force him to like me, it was impossible.

We finished our ice cream and began walking back home.

"Thank you, Ranboo." He kept looking forward, but I looked over at him.

"For what?" I was sort of laughing.

"Hanging out with me, paying, letting me hold your hand." His head was aiming downward after he mentioned the handholding.

I looked down at him and grabbed his hand, holding it in my own. I rubbed it lightly with my thumb, and his head perked up instantly. It appeared that he was trying to say something, but couldn't get it out.

"You're welcome." I tried to end the awkwardness, but it was clear that he was still flustered. I wondered what that meant to him.

He still wouldn't talk. Was holding hands really that big of a deal to him? I just thought it was relaxing, but also very loving. It also gave me a warm feeling, and always made me loosen up when it happened.

It was silent for a few minutes as we were walking.

"Do you really want to hold my hand٫ Ranboo?" He said٫ unsure if I actually enjoyed it.

"I do. Why wouldn't I? I love seeing the way your face lights up. It's quite adorable." I chuckled.

"..Shut the f(bleep)k up. J-Just shut the f(bleep)k up, Ranboo." He used the hand that wasn't being held by mine to cover his face. All he was doing was proving even more how cute he was.

He was also sort of laughing. I could hear it. I looked down at him and could see his smile. I knew he didn't really want me to shut up, he just didn't know what to say to me at that point.

"Hahah. Ok, Tubbo." I looked straight ahead.

I felt him grip my hand tighter. I looked down at him and he wasn't covering his face anymore, but he was still looking down. I could then see how red he was, and that shocked me.

I hummed and looked back up.

As we were walking down the sidewalk, I was suddenly pushed aggressively by something, unlatching me and Tubbo's hands.

I turned around to see a girl looking up at me, panting.

"Woah. A-Are you alright??" I asked her. She just froze, staring up at me. Her green eyes were wide open. We just stared at each other for a minute.

"I- uh- y-yeah, I'm ok. I'm so sorry. I'm just in such a hurry!" She told me, bending down to pick up the things that she dropped.

I leaned down to help her out and managed to grab a notebook and a small blue bag. We both stood back up and I gave her the things she'd dropped.

When they were in her pale hands, she held on to mine, still staring at me. I sort of felt uncomfortable. Tubbo was standing to the side of us٫ crossing his arms with an angry look on his face.

"Wow.. you're quite handsome." She didn't take her eyes off of me٫ nor her hands.

"Yeah, I know he is, but can't you see he's clearly uncomfortable? P(bleep)s off, will you?" Tubbo jerked my hands away from hers and held one to his side.

"I- oh. I'm so, so sorry! I'll be going now.." She practically whined, scurrying off down the sidewalk. I heard her heels clanking against the concrete, then the sound faded.

"I- uhm.. what exactly was that for..?" I was confused as to why he seemed so mad. I could tell he was infuriated by how tightly he was gripping my hand, slightly shaking.

He just stared at the girl as she ran off.

"Tubbo, why are you being like this all of the sudden? You're acting weird.." I was kind of worried. He seemed really bothered for whatever reason.

"What are you talking about? I'm perfectly normal. Better than ever actually." He mumbled, not taking his eyes off of the direction the girl ran.

He continued to stand in frustration, clutching my hand even tighter, if that was even possible. He was tapping his feet extremely fast, too.

I brought my open hand to his face, holding his chin and turning his head to me. His eyes became slightly wider, along with a sort of red face. He didn't look nearly as mad anymore. His grip on my hand also loosened.

"Tell me what's angering you to the point that you're shaking." I said it in a calm manner, so he would feel calmer, too.

"I just- uhm.. she seemed attracted t-to you." He turned away from me again.

"She doesn't even know me. If she did, then she wouldn't be." I assured him that there was no way that if the girl liked me that she would for long.

"Why not?" He sounded mad again.

"Well, because I'm me I guess.." He looked at me like he was so confused.

"Exactly. You're you. I thought you were supposed to be giving me a reason that she wouldn't like you."

"Hah.. Thanks, Tubbo. That feels good." I looked forward again and smiled.

"Good, big man. You deserve it." He smiled, too. I could see it from the corner of my eye.

I wondered why he was so mad just then. It didn't make sense to me. So what if she did like me? Why would he care? He seemed jealous, but I didn't know why.

He was probably just scared that I wouldn't hang out with him as much if I were to date anyone.

"Was there anywhere else you wanted to go before going home? I'm sure we have school tomorrow." I asked, looking over at him.

"Ughhhhhhh, I don't wanna go to school." He groaned. His grip loosened on my hand and he slouched over. I held his hand tighter.

"I don't either, Tubbo. We have to, though." I sort of lifted him up, because he was slouching so much that he could fall.

"Can't we skip? I'm ok with missing a little bit of work." He stood up straight again and looked at me, hopeful.

"I'm not. I'd prefer to not stress over homework, thank you."

"Aghhhhhh, you're so boring, Ranboo." He began slouching again.

"Yeah, I know." I began trying to lift him up again.

"Oh, f(bleep)k off. You know I didn't mean it." He softly rubbed my hand, but was still slouching over.

"I know that, too." I knew he was joking. I just wanted to tease him.

"I hate you so much, dude."

"I assume you're joking about that, too?"

"No. Well- y-yes. But, like- still!" He got loud and I laughed. "Can I at least stay over at your house again? I promise I'll go to bed early."

"If you're mom lets you, then of course. I love your company." I let go of his hand and used it to ruffle his dark, fluffy hair. Then I returned it to the warmth of his small palm.

He looked down and smiled.

Tubbo's POV:

I so badly wanted to tell him to keep playing with my hair. I enjoyed it. It made me feel warm inside, just how gentle it felt. It was driving me insane, but I loved that.

I pulled out my phone and texted my mom.

"Mom, can I stay at Ranboo's house for 1 more night. Pleaassseeee?"

"Fine, but you have to come home tomorrow after school."

I smiled really big.

"PROMISE. LOVE YOU BYE!"

"Love you, too. Have fun."

I began jumping up and down, and held Ranboo's hand tightly. I was so excited that I got to stay at his house again.

"She said yes?" Ranboo looked down at me giggling.

I looked up at him and did I really big nod, smiling from ear to ear.

"Hahah, that's good." Ranboo squinted his eyes and smiled. I could see how pleased he was, thanks to that ugly, split colored fabric thing he wore all the time to cover his gorgeous face being off of him for once.

"God, you actually need to keep that thing off more often." I was staring at him, being mesmerized by his attractive smile.

"M-My mask?" His smile faded into a confused look.

"Yes. Th-That.. girl was right.." I remembered what she'd said to him. It angered me thinking about it.

What if they somehow met again and then fell in love with each other? I hated the feeling. I hated jealousy, but it was there now and wasn't going anywhere.

Ranboo clearly noticed how my anger was building up again, because he pulled me in and held my head on his chest with his hand.

I couldn't help but notice how nice he smelled.

I knew that my face was bright red. But honestly, how could it not be? My head was being held by Ranboo's soft hand, against his chest. It was an amazing feeling that I wanted to last forever.

He started ruffling my hair again, causing me to close my eyes, then leaning on him even more. I wrapped my arms around his waist and held on to him.

We both just stood there, him messing with my hair as I was just becoming sleepy by the second.

"I love this so much.." I said, groaning and muffled in his chest.

"Me too, Tubbo." He spoke back quietly. "More than anything.."

A couple more minutes went by. We just stood there on the sidewalk, cuddling, I guess you could say.

There were probably people passing by, giving us looks. I couldn't see anything, though. Plus, I didn't care at all. I enjoyed the moment. No one else had to.

"We should probably start heading back again.

It's getting kinda late." He broke the long lasting silence.

"Can you please carry me..?" I groaned without moving at all.

"I- uhm- yeah, sure.." He let go of me and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Can I get on your shoulders??" I looked up at him, hoping for a 'yes'.

"Mhm." He giggled and smiled. He was kind of red, too.

He turned around and squatted down for me to jump on his shoulders. I grabbed his shoulders with both of my hands and hopped up onto him, holding my arms tight around him.

"THANK YOU!!" I bursted out. "NOW I DON'T HAVE TO WALK." I was too tired to walk for so long.

"Haha. Anytime, Tubbo." He chuckled.

"Woah.. you're so lucky, Ranboo. You get such an amazing view of everything! I literally hate being small."

"I dunno Tubbo, being short is kinda cute in my opinion." He started flirting with me again.

"What does that even mean?!"

"I'm saying you're cute. You should probably get used to that." He said in a shockingly casual tone, leaving me flustered again.

"I- God, I cannot with you." I brought both of my hands to my face. I trusted that he wouldn't let me go.

He just laughed, that cute, high pitched laugh that I'd loved since I met him. I remembered making stupid jokes that he somehow found funny. That was on the first day we met. I knew I'd never forget that.

Soon enough, we arrived at his house. He let me off of his shoulders.

We came in, greeted his parents, and went up stairs.

"Haha, you don't have clothes with you once again. I'll go get you some." He headed towards his bedroom door.

"Soorrrryyyy." I whined and kind of laughed. I enjoyed his clothes better anyway.

He came back a moment later with some clothes, slightly bigger than my normal size.

"Thanks, big man!" I took the clothes and raced to his bathroom.

I slammed the door shut and I could hear a small laugh from the other side.

His clothes looked so comfy. And even better, they belonged to him. Even though he hadn't worn them in awhile, they still kind of smelled like him. I liked that.

I got changed and sprinted out of the bathroom, into Ranboo's arms to give him a hug.

"Ahhhh!! I'm so excited. I love staying here!! You're bed is just so comfy and I love sleeping next to you because you're so comforting and warm and-"

"Hahah! Woah, Tubbo, calm down. I didn't know you enjoyed being here that much. Jeez."

Ranboo pulled me off of him and held onto my shoulders, looking directly at me.

"What? Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?"

"Well- I mean- I dunno." He shook his head and sighed.

"C'MON NOW! LETS GO TO BED SO THAT WE CAN GET SCHOOL OVER WITH TOMORROW!" I yelled and jumped on his bed, immediately trying to get comfortable.

Ranboo lie down next to me and pulled the blankets over us. I scooted closer to him and put my arms around him, laying my head on his chest. I was almost fully on top of him.

"This will be our position for the rest of the night if you don't mind." I snuggled my head even more into his chest, I knew he didn't mind. He giggled.

"Alright, Tubbo, I'm ok with that." He returned my affection and put his arms around me, lightly rubbing my back. I enjoyed that a lot.

"God, can't we just stay like this forever?" I whined, sort of groaning.

"I wish." He ruffled my hair before returning his hand to my back, rubbing it again.

We fell asleep together, once again. I was never very touchy with people, but I enjoyed Ranboo's affection. The same with his company. No one could ever treat me better than he could. I knew I would only ever love him.

Him, and only him.