notus

Chapter 11: dying to catch you dizzy / 1,000 miles to fall at your door

Chapter 11: dying to catch you dizzy / 1,000 miles to fall at your door

Tubbo blinks awake, and he finds Tommy sleeping next to him.

The Golden Boy snores gently, buried in the covers. The serenity of sleep is an odd contrast to his usual aggressive energy, but it's a nice fit on his face.

A bout of fondness grows in his chest. Tubbo smiles, softly - pulls the covers higher up Tommy's shoulders.

His eyes adjust to the night. He realises he's missing somebody.

The Goat Kid sits up, staring around the bedroom. The other two beds are empty, but the window is open. The wind blows against the curtains.

Tubbo clambers out the window. He grips, and climbs, and finds himself shuffling on his hands and knees to the top.

And there he is.

"Ranboo." Tubbo smiles. He sits, and brushes their shoulders together - humming softly at the back of his throat.

Ranboo doesn't respond immediately. He stares up at the stars, a deep frown pulling at his face.

"Hey, Bo?"

"Yeah?"

"Where's Alpheratz?"

Tubbo glances up, though he knows the answer. "Oh, Boo," he chuckles. "Alpheratz isn't there. We're not in the right season."

Ranboo shifts beside him. Tubbo feels a wing curl around his shoulders, a silent gesture of affection.

"What do you mean?"

"Alpheratz is an autumn star. We're like," Tubbo pulls a face and gestures, "spring, almost summer now. We're gonna see different constellations."

Ranboo draws his knees close. "Oh," he huffs. "So I was looking for something that wasn't there?"

"Basically." Tubbo elbows him gently, caught on to the tinges of annoyance. "Tell you what, I'll show you Alpheratz again next autumn, 'mkay Boo?"

And Ranboo stares at him, with eyes so soft. Shining, better than any star. If the stars are what makes this happen, then Tubbo would chart out the entire goddamn night sky to keep seeing this.

Over, and over, if need be.

"Promise?" Ranboo grins.

Tubbo laughs, nudging their shoulders. "I promise."

They sit like that. Revelling in the simple comfort of being together, here. The stars stretch above them - the 'Void'.

"...I'm glad you're here, Boo," Tubbo mumbles. Sleepiness gnaws at him, prowling the edges of his mind. He yawns. "Mmm- I'd get you out of that End forever and ever, if I needed to."

Ranboo's breath hitches, audibly. The wing curled around them tightens, squeezing ever so gently. Tubbo thinks the Not-Prince is shaking, but then he breathes a little laugh.

"Thank you, Bo."

Ranboo pulls his cloak over his shoulders - a snug fit, now something he's used to. He takes a moment to pause, to stare at himself in the mirror.

And he sees himself, staring back.

He gently takes the hem of his cloak in his hands, running his finger down the embroidery at the side. Just the feel of them is enough to make him smile, to chuckle fondly.

Little tulips, from Bo. They're messy, and clearly made by a shaky hand. Different colour threads used haphazardly. A point where the motif changes drastically, from that time Tommy had tried to sabotage the operation.