I Can't Remember

[7] it's time someone understood their burden

[Notes: This is mostly fluff! There would've been more important stuff, but the chapter was already pretty long hehe.
Sorry for the delay! Studies are a bit much rn. I hope I can update soon :D]

"Dad?"

"Yeah kiddo?"

"When will we reach home?"

"Just a few more minutes, dear." Ranboo lifted the boy in arms and made sure he was comfortable. He may not seem so, but Ranboo was quite strong. Ranboo moved his head to reach the kid's ears as he spoke quietly, "do you see that little building up that hill?"

"Yeah, why?" Michael asked, turning to look at his father. Ranboo chuckled, pointing there again, "that... is your home!"

Michael turned his towards the little structure, which kept growing in size as they kept walking. He looked back at his father, then the house, then him again, as if watching a tennis match.

"How don't I know this," he asked, inquisition filling his mind, "i've been there so many times!"

"Yeah," Ranboo started, "but you're always asleep whenever we reach here. You either pass out of cold or exhaustion. It always gives me quite a scare you know, I'm surprised you're awake this time!"

"Yeah, me too!" Michael said. He felt happy knowing that he wasn't going to worry his dad so much anymore. The kid never quite understood why, but he felt strangely close to Ranboo. More than he ever did with Tubbo. Maybe because Tubbo kept the cookies out of his reach but Ranboo always got them down for him. Yeah, that must be it!

As the pair walked closer, Ranboo noticed a figure near the steps of his house. He also noticed a horse in the stables. Ranboo didn't have a horse anymore, but he kept the stable for visitors like Technoblade. Sometimes, Tubbo would also ride to his place, but that was a rarity. Plus, Tubs said he would come with Clay later on, why would he rush here even before the both of them reached there? There just wasn't a logical explanation.

Ranboo put Michael down. After making sure that no part of him was touching snow, he started running towards his home. Just as he got to the door, a figure walked from behind the building. Startled, Ranboo stumbled into the living room. The figure followed, trying to make sure he won't fall.

"O-oh– uh... Hi! Hi Eret, how uh... how are you?" Ranboo managed to speak out.

"I'm good, just missing the gremlin you keep in your house! Where is-"

Before they could speak further, Eret tumbled backward with a groan. Ranboo tried to untangle the mess, only succeeding when Eret sat up, Michael in his arms.

"There you are!" they exclaimed. The little boy squealed loudly.

"Hi Eret!" the child shouted. Ranboo covered his ears in annoyance. They were already sensitive, Michael could be so loud! Nevertheless, he switched to his Dad Voice™ before speaking,

"Michael, what did I tell you?" he scolded. Michael could not find it in himself to care that he was being scolded. His uncle was here!

"Sorry boo! Hi Uncle Eret!" he sqeaked, hugging the person in question tightly. Eret grinned, hugging him back.

"Oh c'mon Ran, there's no need for that!" Eret stood up, finally getting Michael to settle in his arms. "How's my favourite nephew doing?"

The child in question just let out a giggle. Upon a questioning glance from Eret, he spoke,

"I'm your only nephew, Uncle Eret!"

Eret laughed heartily, placing the child in Ranboo's lap.

"Yep, and you're still my beloved!"

"Like Boo is Bee's beloved?"

Ranboo blushed at that. Eret didn't say anything, choosing to give him a teasing smile instead. Michael didn't notice, but Ranboo sure did.

"Ah well, it's slightly different. Speaking of Boo, I need to have a chit chat with him. D'you mind if uh...?"

"Oh, yeah, sure! Don't worry, I know what you mean. Bee and Boo often say that! I never know what they talk about, but it must be really relaxing and nice, because it's always at night!"

If you think Ranboo is half-black half-white, he'd prove you wrong in that instant. His white skin flushed a light pink, as he stuttered out some words,

"Michael, please go up to your room now. Uncle Eret and I need to talk."

"Alright Boo!" the child hugged Ranboo tightly and leaped above his father's shoulders. Ranboo made a noise of panic and went to scold Michael, but he had already scurried away to his room. Oh well.

"Well, Ranboo, I'm already telling you. As much as I like you, you're a minor and I have a fiance-"

"Eret!"

Their only response was to laugh maniacally as Ranboo hid his face in his hands. It took them a while to recover, but when they did, Ranboo asked the question both parties were dreading.

"Why are you here, Eret? Is there something wrong?" he asked. Eret couldn't help but sigh. Rambo led them to the sofa, then sat down himself.

"What can I say, Ran, my loyalties are being stretched and tested to their limits. Have you ever faced such a dilemma?"

"You know where my loyalties lie, Eret," Ranboo huffed. He couldn't help but be annoyed. Why did everyone act like he would consider changing his ideals just because of a few meaningless words thrown at him?

"I know, and I've been trying to change mine as well. To be like yours." Eret observed as the teenager's brows furrowed. He tilted his head as if considering what he said. Finally, he looked back up to Eret, motioning him to continue. "Back when L'Manberg was forming, Dream offered me a choice. I could either 'fight for the losing side', or get crowned as the King of the SMP. Now, of course, I didn't think L'Manberg fight to be in vain. I always wanted to help them gain that freedom."

"Why didn't you stay, then? Why the betrayal?"

"It wasn't supposed to be a betrayal, you see," Eret mumbled. Seeing Ranboo's curiosity, he continued. "I only wanted the crown of the Greater SMP Lands for one reason– Power.

"Not the power for greed, never for greed. I wanted it because I knew that no matter how much we fought, we would never reach our goal. Dream would never give us – give them independence.

"Dream told me, 'Break their foundations and I'll crown you King.' I never thought he was right. I genuinely believed they would forgive me if they found out why I did it. That they would feign heartbreak but feel joy. Seems like Wilbur wasn't as smart back then.

"All I got was a title of The Traitor, and an exemption from citizenship. No one saw the truth. The reality. I did it for them, I really did–"

Before they could speak further, Eret started choking up. Ranboo walked away, coming back with a glass of water. Eret carefully took it, thanking him.

"I thought about that day for a long time. I only when I met you, did I realise what I did. If I would've chosen the people I loved, not their 'side', this never would have happened. The people whom I support are the ones in my kingdom... are you, Tubbo, Michael, Fundy, and If he would let me, even Tommy. Everyone else that I cooperate with, its all to keep you all safe.

Eret took a deep breath. Ranboo shifted in his seat.

"But now, some of these are in danger."

An eyebrow raise from Ranboo. Eret looked him in the eyes, face grim,

"More specifically, you and your family are in danger."

[Notes: A little bit of Eret Feels dump, they've held it in their heart for so long. What can I say, venting is a really good way to make a listener let their guard down ;)
Do tell me if it seemed OOC, I'll try to fix it! Thanks for reading guys, please leave a vote and comment, I'd really appreciate it! :)]