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Tubbo and Ranboo don't really interact like normal couples, Ranboo has noticed. Most of their conversations are bickering and bantering like friends, sappy words are few and far between. Ranboo doesn't think that Tubbo has ever really said "I love you" to him outloud. They sleep in the same bed but spend most of their time apart. But they still inexplicably know that they love each other.
Ranboo has come to learn that when Tubbo knocks his head against Ranboo's arm, or shoves his skull into his midsection and wraps his arms around the taller one, that it is a sign of trust and affection instead of ill will. Tubbo loves through physical contact, by grabbing Ranboo's arm or messing with his hand, by head butts and requesting back massages and cuddling very close on movie nights. And Ranboo is always very happy to reciprocate this affection, because he knows that this is how Tubbo "says" I love you, and that means everything to him.
He didn't really know what his love language was, until one day when returning from the mines with a sizable amount of gold, he ran into Phil. During their chat he let it spill that he was going to melt the gold down and craft jewelry out of it with some of his emeralds as a gift for Tubbo. Phil looked at him and laughed kindly, and when Ranboo questioned why he explained that it was a bit funny how Ranboo was always making and giving Tubbo gifts.
Ranboo was shocked for a moment, but thought about the many vases of flowers at home from him presenting hand picked bouquets to Tubbo, or the comfiest clothes that somehow found their way into tubbo's drawer. The stacks of gifted toys in Michael's room. the truly obscene amount of jewelry that tubbo now owned, all hand made. And oh, yeah, okay. His way of loving was with gifts.
Ranboo was in his work room, cooling a gold pendant to the side as he carefully polished the shiniest emerald on hand for this necklace. Slowly setting the gemstone in the gold, he thought about why he made the emerald jewelry. Emeralds were Tubbo's favorite of course, they were also signs of wealth and prosperity, especially to have one just on display in jewelry. Ranboo was rich, and some part of his brain went crazy at the thought of his husband wearing his hand crafted jewelry and showing off how he could own such luxurious items. It sounded vain and silly, but Ranboo wanted to show off a little bit and just shower Tubbo in golden earrings and rings and bracelets. It made him feel accomplished.
After the pendant had cooled enough and the emerald was secured, he sealed it up and strung the shining thing on some thin chain lying around. Ranboo inspected it to make sure it was perfect, then set off to find his lover.
~~~
Tubbo was in the living room when Ranboo came bustling in, a flurry of armor being stacked away and boots kicked off, coats hung to dry. He called out a little greeting and went back to his business, but then his awkwardly tall husband came clambering into the living room with his hands behind his back.
Hey Ranboo, he greeted, and his husband grinned and pulled one hand from behind his back. Clasped in his hand was a freshly picked pink tulip, that was then tucked behind Tubbo's left ear. He giggled happily but noticed the second hand behind ranboo's back. After a small build up and a bit of anticipation, Ranboo pulled out a shiny dangling item.
Inspecting closer, it was a stunning necklace with a huge emerald right in the center. Tubbo awwed and made to grab it, but Ranboo reached behind him and clicked it onto his neck himself. Tubbo held of the pendant to look closer and sighed happily. Emeralds were so beautiful, and this one was no exception. An expensive joy, thankfully one easily funded by Ranboo.
He glanced up at Ranboo to find him beaming happily, red faced and tail wagging furiously. He looked the definition of bashful. The whole picture, of a sweet and lanky young man all nervous and excited, was very endearing. Tubbo stood and wrapped his arms around Ranboo's midsection tightly, burying his head into his chest. The emerald necklace was digging into his ribs but Tubbo didn't care. He loved his husband.
They stood like that for a while, until Ranboo stumbled and they were both dragged down onto the couch. Tubbo lay on top of Ranboo, arms still squeezing the other. Laughing, but they both made no effort to move, and slowly they both relaxed into a tranquil peace.
Now sleepy and warm, Tubbo slurred out the question, why do you like the emeralds so much too Ranboo? Other than that they're my favorite, that is.
Ranboo hummed a bit thoughtfully, but eventually snuggled closer into his beloved and said, they remind me of your eyes. Tubbo melted, stumbling out a comment about Ranboo being a gross sap but neither of them acknowledged it.
They soon fell asleep like that, soft and warm and happy, a pink tulip behind Tubbo's ear and a gold and emerald pendant pressed between their two bodies.