The morning air felt stagnant and reposeful. An unusually warm day had fallen over the snowy city. Sun rays seeped into the bedroom slowly, heating the room and waking one of the sleeping boys.

As he awoke, Tubbo felt the other boy shifting beside him. A coarse tail tightened its grip on his arm. Small hums erupted from his throat, pleased to know that his partner hadn’t ender walked out of the house in the night. Particles floated lightly around the boys, their dim radiance giving a violet glow to the room.

Tubbo rolled over and surveyed his husband’s face. Scars adorned the enderman’s skin, running from the corners of their eyes to below their chin. Some lighter marks circled Ranboo’s mouth, collar bones, and hands.

Everyday the shorter counterpart checked his face to see if the scars were deeper or more fresh. It was his way of checking on them, making sure that nothing was silently troubling his beloved.

Today, there were new scars. Tubbo drew a line with his finger lightly over the latest wounds, not rough enough to hurt or wake Ranboo, but just enough to connect. He wondered what the story was behind these. Had someone upset his husband? Or had they done something that they regretted?

Tubbo guided his own hand down to Ranboo’s chin, he held it gently and prayed. He prayed to no one, it was more of a cry for help, asking for the universe to give his husband peace. Tubbo began running his fingers through Ranboo’s hair as he awoke. A fond smile fell upon the shorter one’s face, and the taller boy mimicked it. Ranboo held eye contact with the boy beside him, a rare occurrence.

Mornings between them always started quietly, their shared breath being the only ounce of sound. Time together was crucial for them since they spent so much of their days apart from one another, and more importantly, it made them both feel loved.

A hug closed the gap between them. Tubbo laid his head on Ranboo’s chest as he was encircled by his husband’s arms. Fingers made their way up and down Tubbo’s back, drawing patterns of stars and words. Tubbo felt an ‘I love you’ traced behind him, he hummed, confirming that he received the message.

“Morning beloved.” Tubbo said quietly, his soft tone covered in love. Ranboo squeezed him lightly before responding.

“Good morning, Bo.” They spoke, their voice cracked and was followed by a sniffle. Tubbo backed up and examined the boy in front of him, brows furrowing. “Are you feeling alright?” Tubbo asked, voice soaked in concern.

Ranboo hesitated, stuck between their choices. “Yes,” He started, “I think.” The last words being a whisper as he looked away from Tubbo. They watched as the boy sighed and lifted his eyebrows. “Fine, I think I am sick,” They paused, another sniffle leaving their nose, “I just don’t want you to worry about me.” They finished, being relieved when a smile reappeared on his husband’s face.

“Ranboo, believe it or not, I am always worried about you.” He said, getting out of the bed slowly. “When did this start, bossman?” Tubbo asked. He fixed his pillow and walked around to Ranboo’s side of the bed, his husband observing him in curiosity. He pulled out his communicator and took note of important things as he waited for Ranboo’s response.

The enderman spoke slowly, “Well, it started yesterday, I stayed in the cold for too long and now I’m sick,” He sneezed quietly, earning a ‘bless you’ from Tubbo. “I think I’ll be fine though, like I can still do everything I need to do today.” He stated, his voice betraying his façade of confidence.

Tubbo watched as Ranboo tried to stand up to prove his point. His legs shook under him, and color drained from his face as he started to fall. Tubbo leaned over and grabbed their waist, steadying them and helping them sit back down. “Let’s not try that again, shall we.” Tubbo said, chuckling slightly. “How about this, Boo. Let me take care of you for today.” He proposed, watching Ranboo’s mouth open to retaliate before finishing. “I just canceled all my plans, so you can’t fight back.”

Ranboo thought for a second, then accepted defeat. “Ok, ok, ok. I’ll let you take care of me.” They said, earning a smile from their husband. “I’ll still feel bad though, you had work to do. Are you sure you want to cancel your plans just for me, Bo?” He asked.

“Listen dumbass,” He said endearingly, “I made a vow to stick by you in sickness and in health, and I’ll be damned if I turn my back on you.” Tubbo paused, planting a kiss on his husband’s forehead. “Now lay down, I am going to fix you some breakfast.” He finished, pulling the covers back over Ranboo before leaving the room.

As he walked out, Tubbo shut the door quietly. He relaxed for a moment, knowing that his partner was just sick and not in danger calmed him. As if on cue, a small form came sprinting down the hallway. Snorts and squeals accompanied the sound of hoofed feet hitting the ground quickly. The second the piglin caught sight of his father, he smiled, and that smile was always a joy to see for Tubbo.

In between a fit of giggles, the kid outstretched his arms, pleading to be held. “What’s got you laughing like that Michael?” Tubbo asked, joining his son in light chuckles. He picked up Michael and held him gently. Tubbo observed and Michael looked behind them at the door to the bedroom. The piglin started getting excited again, realizing that his other dad was still home.

“We wake Papa? Peas Bo?” He begged, motioning to the door. Tubbo shook his head, “Not right now, bubs. He isn’t feeling well, so he is napping.” He spoke gently to not upset Michael. “But you can help me make breakfast for them buddy.” He said, watching his son’s excitement get reignited by the simple suggestion.

The two made their way to the kitchen downstairs. Tubbo sat Michael down once they entered. “What do you think Papa wants to eat?” He asked the piglin. “Crap!” Michael exclaimed, earning a confused look from his father. The look then turned to realization quickly, “Did you mean crêpe? Is that it?” He asked again, letting out a small laugh. Michael nodded quickly in response.

“Alrighty, crêpe it is. Do you want to get the plates out for me bud? Then you can go pick some flowers to bring to Ranboo.” Tubbo suggested, giving his thanks when Michael did what he was asked to do. As he began fixing the breakfast for his husband, Tubbo thought about how lucky he was. He was able to take the day off to take care of the one he loved the most, with no distractions from anyone on the server.

He enjoyed being the one to have responsibility in the household. Ranboo used to baby him, and ask to do all the work, but Tubbo refused in his stubborn ways. He knew Ranboo just wanted to take care of him, and Tubbo loved him for it. No matter what the enderman did or said, his husband loved him. Through sickness and health, life and death, thick and thin, they loved each other, nothing could change that.

Tubbo finished plating the last of the crepes as Michael wandered back inside the house. His hands were packed full of orange tulips, dirt covering the tips of his sleeves. “Got fower Bo!” The piglin said, still failing to pronounce flower correctly. “Good job bud, put them in the vase and we’ll bring them up to Ranboo together.” Tubbo said, praising his son while cleaning up the counter.

Michael clutched the vase close to his chest with one hand, and grabbed his father’s shirt with the other. They walked up the stairs together, Tubbo opening the door to his shared bedroom slowly.

The piglin tiptoed over to Ranboo’s side of the bed, placing the vase down gently. His father followed behind him, setting the tray of food beside the flowers. He watched as Michael climbed the bed to sit with the sleeping enderman. “You can wake him up if you want.” Tubbo suggested.

Tiny hands poked the cheeks of the sleeping boy, followed by snorts and giggles. Ranboo slowly awoke and was quickly engulfed in a hug from the boy. Michael laughed as he head butted his dad, “Papa! We make food!” He exclaimed.

“Thank you bud, and thank you too Bo. It means a lot.” Ranboo said, rubbing his hand through Michael’s hair. Tubbo leaned closer to his husband. “I mixed a health pot into your drink, should help you a bit, anything else you need?” He asked. Michael cuddled up to Ranboo, clutching his shirt. Ranboo smiled fondly, he reached his free hand up to grab Tubbo’s. He hummed quietly, his voice cracking every so often.

“I think I’ll be fine, as long as I have you both here.” They whispered. “I love you Bo, you mean the world to me.” Tubbo’s heart swelled hearing that. He rubbed his thumb across his husband’s hand. “Love you too, bossman. We’ll stay here for as long as you need.” Tubbo replied.

One after the other, both boys placed a kiss on their son’s head, earning a snort from him. Michael looked up and saw the smiles on his fathers’ faces. “No more sick peas?” He asked, causing them both to giggle. “Don’t worry bubs, I’ll be fine soon.” Ranboo said, which relaxed the piglin.

Looking at his husband cuddling their son filled Tubbo with pride. This was his family, he loved them and they loved him. They have stuck by him through everything, and just as he vowed, he would stick by them through thick and thin, life and death, in sickness and in health.

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