𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐁𝐄 𝐈 𝐃𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 | . 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

004 - 𝑆𝑇𝑅𝐸𝐴𝑀𝐼𝑁𝐺

warnings: arguing

"Hey, Y/N," Ranboo said cheerfully, "can we talk? It's about Fundy," he added, his voice dropping down quite a bit. Y/N felt her heart sink.

"Uh, yeah," she responded, fidgeting with her hands. "What's up?" she asked. From the other side of the room, Jared yelled,

"Who are you talking to?"

"Ranboo," Y/N yelled back. She hated that Jared always had to know what was going on and who she was talking to. She sighed, turning back to her monitor. "Sorry about that-" she apologized.

"Don't be. I just wanted to let you know that he's been acting uh, different. It's a little strange for him and since you two are best friends I thought I'd let you know," Y/N thought about what Ranboo said for a minute before formulating a response. She sighed and rubbed her temples with her hands.

"Yeah, it's all my fault," she groaned. She could hear Ranboo's sigh from the other side.

"If you don't mind my asking, why?"

"Well, it's a little awkward..." Y/N started, "but I'll tell you anyway, Ranboo. Just give me a second- I'll be right back." she said, standing up from her chair. She walked out into the kitchen where Jared had recently moved. She pointed down at Pooki who was standing at his feet, looking as if she wanted something really bad. "She wants to go on a walk, Jared. Can you please take her around the block once or twice?" she asked, looking him in the eyes. She really just wanted no interruptions by Jared during her call with Ranboo.

"Yeah, sure," he replied, grabbing her leash from off of the counter.

"Thank you," Y/N responded, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. Jared met her gaze with a smile before bending down to clip Pooki's leash to her collar. Y/N watched out of the window as Jared took Pooki down the street. Once he was far away enough, she ran back to her computer where Ranboo was patiently waiting.

"Really sorry about that, Ranboo," she breathed heavily. Ranboo chuckled.

"It's fine. Tell me what's going on. I'm great at keeping secrets, as you already know." Y/N could hear him smiling from the other side.

"Yeah, okay. Here it goes," she replied. She gave Ranboo a brief synopsis of everything that happened on the call with Floris the night before. How he was upset about Jared, and how she saw him crying despite his attempts to hide it.

"Hmm..." Ranboo pondered, "it sounds to me that Fundy is just trying to act protective. I'm not quite sure, actually. I know he cares about you, a lot. You two have been friends for a long time,"

"This is true. We've been friends since before you, Ranboo," Y/N chuckled. She gained a laugh out of Ranboo as well.

"True. But that being said, I can still tell when he's upset. I have a distinct ability to understand when people are upset without them actually displaying their emotions. I'm just worried for his sake and yours, you know?" he said calmingly. Although he couldn't see her, Y/N nodded.

"Yeah, your concern is much appreciated," she replied, "I'm worried for him too. That's the first time he had ever acted in such a manner around me..." she trailed off. Ranboo hummed.

"I just don't like seeing my friends upset. Is there anything I can do for you, Y/N?" he asked. Y/N thought for a moment.

"No. Sorry. I know that he would get upset if he knew we talked about this, so let's keep it on the down-low. I don't need him any more upset than he is right now." she replied, shaking her head.

"Agreed. You know that my DM's are always open and I'm always down to chat with you."

"Thank you, Ranboo. It's really appreciated," she started, "do you want to join my stream later tonight? I was planning on streaming with Fundy but after things have perspired, I'm not sure I still want to."

"Yeah, of course. I'll join your stream," Ranboo replied. "I'll see you later then, Y/N," he said.

"You too," she answered and ended the call. She let out an exasperated sigh and held her head in her hands. She had to figure out what was going on with Floris but she knew better than to do it around Jared. She would have to wait until he was gone in order to gain any new information.

Jared had returned from the walk in perfect timing- Y/N had just gotten off of the call with Ranboo a few minutes prior. She got up from her desk to greet him and Pooki at the door. Instead of going for Jared, she went for Pooki first instead.

"Were you a good girl?" she asked Pooki, petting her head. She sat down so that she could be eye level with her shepherd, who had decided to jump on Y/N. Y/N let out a small 'oof' as Pooki climbed on her and started to lick her face. Jared, who was standing above, laughed at the two's interaction. Y/N stood up, shaking the clumps of dog hair off of her. Jared was looking intently at her.

"So... How about some alone time now?" he asked, looking into her eyes. Y/N shrugged. She didn't really want to do any of that since she was so busy, but she also felt that random pang of guilt again.

"Not really. I have work still. I have to start my stream soon and that's pretty time-consuming," she replied. She could tell that Jared was upset based on his facial expressions, but for some reason, she felt no remorse. It was her body anyways, and all she wanted was some company. Not any of the gross stuff. "Speaking of," she continued, "it's probably about time you head home? No?"

"Yeah, um, I guess. I didn't really get to see you much today, though," he sounded very disappointed. Y/N sighed and put her hands on her hips.

"Yeah, I know. I can't really help that, though. Today has just been really busy for me and I'd appreciate some downtime, alone, before my stream," she replied. Jared looked down at the ground.

"But you like, never see me. And you always want time alone. Why am I even with you then?" he responded, sounding more upset with every word that left his mouth.

'He's using you, Y/N'

Y/N sighed heavily. "Jared, there's sometimes that you basically live with me. I need space, though. I thrive off of independence,"

"That's why you have no friends," he stated bluntly. This really hurt Y/N- she could feel her emotions welling up inside of her.

"Stop," she said quietly, "I have plenty of friends. You just don't like them,"

"You're right. I don't like them because they're all guys. That's ridiculous. Do you really expect me to be okay with your stupid friends when they're all guys?" Jared raised his voice and Y/N flinched. She always hated when Jared raised his voice at her. She looked down to Pooki who was standing in front of her defensively. Pooki showed her teeth at Jared as if to say 'stop yelling at my owner'. Y/N sat down to grab Pooki into her arms.

"Just go," she mumbled quietly. Jared let out a loud 'hmph' and slammed his door on the way out. Y/N started to stroke Pooki's fur calmingly as the two sat together for a solid 10 minutes. She was trying her best to comprehend everything that had just happened- Jared's sudden anger, Pooki's defensiveness... Pooki had never been that defensive towards anyone before, but Jared had also never yelled like that before. "You're a good girl, Pooki," Y/N spoke softly as she stroked Pooki's favorite spot on her head. Pooki licked Y/N's free hand as she went to stand up. She motioned for Pooki to follow as she moved into her gaming room. Pooki curled up in her bed next to the desk and Y/N sat down in her chair. It was finally time to start her stream, so she messaged Ranboo.

ranboolive

You ready?

(IGN)

'yeah gimme a sec.'

Y/N clicked into VC 5 as she waited for Ranboo to join. She wondered if anybody else would join her on her stream tonight... 'Possibly Tubbo or Tommy,' she thought to herself.

"Hello, IGN," Ranboo's cheery voice called out. Y/N smiled.

"Hi, Ranboo!" she smiled. She hoped that her stream with Ranboo would cheer her up from the events that perspired from the last two days.

"I have a friend who will be joining us tonight but not until the end of the stream," Ranboo said. Y/N cocked her head in curiosity.

'Who could it be?' she thought to herself.

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