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Ranboo could be called many things. Skittish. Quiet. Hardworking.
One thing that popped into Phil and Techno’s heads was, at this moment, awkward . The tall teen was sitting rigid in the plush couch of their cabin, hands squeezing the fabric of his dress pants and eyes nervously flitting around the room. He was the embodiment of a paranoid feline on catnip.
You see, there was an awfully strong snowstorm blustering outside. Phil being the worrisome father figure he was, invited Ranboo to stay in their well fortified home instead of the rickety cabin the enderman hybrid had made. It took a bit of convincing, the boy was extremely hesitant to invade the pair’s own house, but after a bit more reassuring and coaxing, Phil got him to agree.
However, once in the warm and cosy home, Ranboo looked terribly out of place.
Phil sat beside him, his wings twitching in worry and agitation at Ranboo’s restlessness. He tried to focus on the book he was reading, the mug of steaming tea in his free hand slowly going cold the longer he neglected it. Techno sat alone across the room, weapons laid out on the table with the piglin hybrid re-enchanting them back to their best. The only sounds in the room were the crackling fire, the raging snowstorm outside the cabin, and the occasional chimes of a tool being fully restored.
Ranboo’s tall ears perked and flicked at the different sounds in the room, his eyes not staying in one spot for more than a few seconds before they jumped somewhere else. Phil finally cracked after another minute of it.
He sighed. “Ranboo.”
The boy immediately winced, ears dipping close to his head and making Phil’s heart squeeze sadly. The pair of wide heterochromia eyes met his own, and all the blonde could see was anxiety.
“Y-Yes Philza?” Ranboo stumbled over his words, shoulder subconsciously curling further inward.
Phil released a short huff, an easy smile lifting his lips. “We’ve gone over this mate, you can call me Phil.”
Ranboo stared at him for a moment before giving a slow, timid nod.
Phil set down his book and tea, resting his elbows on his knees and dipping his head to the side. He cleared his throat a bit. “You don’t have to be so tense Ranboo, neither of us are gonna bite you.”
Ranboo, once again, nodded mutely. The action was incredibly stiff and looked like it took all of the boy’s willpower to do it. Damn, how freaked out was this kid?
Phil was scrambling for a way to get the boy to open up and relax when Techno dropped a sword on the table with a loud clatter, making them both flinch.
The piglin had a rather bored look on his face, eyes locked to Ranboo. “Kid, you’re allowed to chill out,” he grunted. “I know Phil and I seem intimidating, but Phil will literally chirp when you scratch a specific spot on his wings, and I will spend hours with the wolves and play with their pups.”
Phil made a slightly strangled sound at the admittance to his soft spot. Techno didn’t even spare him a glance.
“We’re both dorks,” he said bluntly, “if you’re afraid we’re gonna be mad at you for relaxing in our home you’re wrong. We invited you here cause it was cold outside and we wanted to make sure you were okay. Got me?”
Ranboo’s mouth had slipped open at Techno’s words, his ears perked up a bit but he was still showing signs of nervousness.
Techno clearly spotted it. He folded his hands on his lap and dipped his ears marginally, both were attempts to soften his broad frame. “What’s eatin’ ya kid?” He asked, somehow managing to sound gentle and firm at the same time.
Ranboo winced again, making Phil want to hug him and Techno even more determined to find a way to make him relax.
“I-I…I just-” Ranboo’s grip on his pants tightened further, the words stumbling over each other as if they were newborn deer learning to walk. “...I shouldn’t- I’m not supposed to-” His tail twitched anxiously at his side, his eyes planted on the floor. “I shouldn’t be…doing nothing .”
There was a sound of confusion from Phil and a hum from Techno.
The piglin sat back in his chair, looking at the teen with a neutral expression. “How come?” he asked plainly.
Ranboo flicked his eyes up to Techno in confusion. “Be- Because you let me stay here? I need to pay rent and- and I can’t fall behind- and I need to be ready for…for anything. I can’t afford to relax when someone might…you know…attack? That’s all anyone seems to do here. Fight each other.”
There was a hand suddenly on his shoulder. Ranboo flinched at the touch and snapped his gaze to Phil who was looking at him sadly.
“Mate, you don’t have to always be working. You’re more than free to take a break, and if you’re here with us, of course you’re allowed to relax. Barely anyone knows where this place is.”
“And if anyone tries to hurt you, they’re gonna get a taste of my axe,” Techno spun the blade in question before it materialised into his inventory. “You’re one of ours now Ranboo, no one is going to get you out here.”
Ranboo blinked a bit. “I’m…one of yours?”
Techno hummed, waving a hand in the air briefly. “You live here. We like you. You’re not with the government.” He levelled Ranboo with a look that made the enderman’s chest settle a bit. There was a surprising amount of calm and reassurance in those crimson eyes. “You’re one of ours.”
Ranboo looked back down at the floor after a moment. He’d always been terrible at maintaining eye contact. “Okay,” he murmured softly.
Phil’s fatherly instincts were screaming at this point. He desperately wanted to wrap Ranboo in his wings and promise him he didn’t have to be afraid, or stressed, or guilty for taking a break. Techno seemed to catch onto his friend’s turbulent emotions because he cleared his throat.
“Ranboo, are you comfortable with physical touch?” He asked.
Well, gotta give him credit for being direct and not dancing around the issue.
“Um,” Ranboo started, eyebrows raising in confusion to the question. After a moment trying to figure out if Techno was trying to tell a joke or not, he eventually gave a slow nod. “...I suppose?”
“Good.” Techno stood up and brushed his hands off. “Phil, try to get him to chill out a bit, okay? I’m gonna go make us some hot chocolate.”
“Oh, uh- sure mate,” Phil blinked as Techno moved past their couch, dropping a hand onto his shoulder and squeezing gently before entering the kitchen with a twirl of his cloak.
It left Ranboo and Phil in a somewhat awkward silence, the enderman hybrid flicking glances to Phil who was staring after Techno with a bewildered expression.
“So,” Ranboo began slowly. “How bout this weather huh?”
It startled a laugh out of Phil, turning to look at Ranboo with a crooked grin. “It sure is nippy, I'll give you that.”
The response encouraged Ranboo to crack a shy smile, his ears perking a smidge at Phil’s chuckling. “Just a smidge,” he agreed. “Would’ve been colder if I was in my house.”
“And that’s exactly why I’m glad we got you out here,” Phil smiled softly then his eyes widened a bit. “Are you cold now?”
The enderman quickly shook his head, his hands tightening on his pants. “Uh n-no- I’m good. I’m used to cold temperatures anyway,” he reassured quickly, though it didn’t quite give the intended effect.
Phil’s smile dipped a bit at the admittance, worry creasing his brow. “You’re used to them…? What does that mean?” He inquired, wings twitching at his sides.
Ranboo’s ears flattened once again, the small ease in his posture being coiled up again. He quickly tried to explain with stumbling words. “The house I built isn’t…the best at keeping warmth in, you know? There’s a couple of open spots I haven’t been able to fill and it makes it kinda cold- It’s fine though! I’m okay with it, I’m just grateful I have somewhere to stay-”
“ Ranboo .” Phil cut off his rambling gently, though the boy’s jaw still clicked shut as if Phil had yelled. He stared at the man worriedly, his whole body tensing like he was about to bolt.
Phil swallowed and slowly leaned over to place a light hand over Ranboo’s own, making sure to keep his gaze on Ranboo’s nose so the teen wouldn't have to look him in the eyes. “Hey, you don’t have to be okay with that. We’re more than happy to give you some extra materials to help you out. In the meantime however,” - one of Phil’s large obsidian hued wings stretched out to Ranboo invitingly - “would you like me to keep you warm until Tech can come back with a blanket? That suit can’t be very good at maintaining heat.”
Ranboo stared at Phil’s feathered appendage like it was a particularly fearsome monster, though Phil noticed his ears slowly perking up again at the prospect.
“You’re…offering to keep me warm?” He tried, not wanting to get it wrong.
“Yeah,” Phil smiled gently. “I can promise it’s very cosy. My boys have slept in my wings before, and don’t tell Tech I said anything, but he loves being wrapped up in them.”
Ranboo’s hand covered the lower half of his face to muffle a sudden giggle, eyes alight with joy. “Really?”
Phil chuckled. “Oh yeah, they’re like massive fluffy blankets, and Techno adores soft things.”
Ranboo flicked his gaze to the kitchen and had to smother another laugh. “You’re joking .”
“I can find you photo evidence later if you want,” Phil grinned, then ruffled his wing. “So, are you gonna cuddle up to these bad boys?”
Ranboo scoffed, his smile widening at the corney attempt of humour. “You sound like such a dad,” he giggled, and Phil’s heart soared at the sound.
“Well I should hope so, I keep adopting people left and right.” Another tempting rustle. “So what will it be?”
Ranboo considered it for a moment, a moment more, and then to Phil’s absolute delight, shuffled over and perched himself close enough so the blonde could wrap his wing around the boy’s shoulders. The warmth and weight of the feathery appendage made Ranboo gasp softly, eyebrows shooting up before he practically melted into them. His anxieties fizzled away and he slumped back, clearing the distance between Phil and himself to lean against the man.
There was a fond, warm laugh above Ranboo, and then an arm snaked around his waist to comfortably tuck him against Phil’s side. “That feel better mate?”
Ranboo hummed, his tail starting to wag a bit and Phil almost cooed at the sight. Instead, he settled with rubbing Ranboo’s spine and letting his wings completely rest against the boy’s shoulder. Ranboo swore if heaven existed, this was it. Wrapped up in big poofy wings, resting against Philza Minecraft’s shoulder, with a warm fire crackling in a hearth.
Ranboo was growing more and more grateful that he accepted their offer to stay there overnight.
Phil’s hand rested on his lower back and gently massaged the knots there, Ranboo giving a thankful sigh. Mining for days without a break really put a strain on him.
“Damn dude, do you ever stretch?” Phil muttered in bewilderment, pressing his knuckles into the muscle and feeling something pop in response.
“Can’t stop the strip mine grind,” Ranboo mumbled, earning a good natured chuckle.
“You and Techno are so much alike it scares me,” Phil hummed, changing to pinching the muscle to help relieve the pain.
Neither of them expected Ranboo to yelp .
Phil’s hand froze on his back and Ranboo completely locked up, a hand shooting up to slam over his mouth, but the damage had already been done. Ranboo’s gaze was firmly on the floor, his ears pressing close to his head to further show his embarrassment. Phil on the other hand, had never looked happier.
“Are you ticklish Ranboo?” Phil asked, going for nonchalant but the grin on his face made Ranboo’s stomach swoop with nerves.
His stuttering words only got worse with the new threat that was looming over him “N- No , I am not tick- no, I’m not.” Ranboo flinched at Phil’s chuckle, though it wasn’t the high strung flinching he was doing earlier when something moved. It was more nervous, toned down to something calmer.
“Ooooo, I think you are~” Phil leapt for the chance to tease the boy, wanting to make him more comfortable with the idea that both he and Techno were laid back people. His wing shifted around Ranboo, a few stray feathers stroking over the enderman hybrid’s neck. Ranboo squealed , his shoulders leaping up to his ears.
“PhiHIHihilzaha!” He gasped, leaning further into Phil’s side to evade the wing only to bark a surprised laugh at fingers tickling his sides.
“What was that about not being ticklish?” Phil asked sweetly, using both arms to wrap around Ranboo in a hug and turning himself so that the boy’s back was pressed to his chest.
“N-Nohoho Phihihil- Phihihihil plehehehease!” Ranboo’s laughter was surprisingly bubbly, squeaking during his gasps for air as he squirmed and wriggled in Phil’s gentle but firm hold.
The avian hummed pleasantly, his wing dropping down to brush along Ranboo’s neck and relishing in the squeaky hiccup it produced. “My my, someone lied to me! You’re very ticklish Ranboo, especially on these ears of yours~”
The soft touch feathers grazing the shell of Ranboo’s ear sent him into fits of wild giggles, the boy trying to scrunch his head down to avoid the gentle attack. “Nohohot thahahe ehehears Phihihil! Nohohoho- ohoHOHoho gohohohod!”
Phil’s smile softened at the sound, noticing how Ranboo’s tightly coiled frame was practically gone, leaving the boy lax and carefree.
“You’re so ticklish Ranboo! It’s adorable~” he cooed, digging his thumbs into the soft parts of Ranboo’s belly and chuckling a bit himself at the loud gasps and squeals that followed.
“Ihihit tihihickles Phihihil!”
Phil grinned. “It does? Really? Wow, that’s amazing news Ranboo! Tell me, does this tickle too? Or this? Oh, I bet this absolutely destroys you doesn't it? Just a few measly fingers skittering over your ribs? …Wait, are you blushing ender boy?”
The purple dusting Ranboo’s cheeks only darkened though he tried to shove his face into Phil’s wing to hide. That ended up being a poorly thought out plan though as Ranboo burst into a new fit of breathy giggles as the feathers dusted his cheeks and nose.
Phil clicked his tongue in disapproval of the action. “No no no, none of that now,” Phil ducked his wing down and tugged Ranboo’s shirt up, the feathery appendage brushing over the boy’s now exposed stomach.
Ranboo immediately shrieked and tried to squirm down out of Phil’s arms, but really only pulled his shirt up more as the material bunched around his captors arm. Phil took that in stride immediately.
“How kind of you to give me more spots to tickle Ranboo! Here, let my wings say hello to your ticklish ribs~!”
“GEHEHET THEHEHEM AWAHAHAY PHIHIL! NOHOHOHO! ”
Ranboo kicked and flailed, a laugh nothing short of a screech leaving his mouth as Phil dragged his soft feathers across his skin over and over again. The man’s fingers prodding around his upper ribs every so often to make the boy squeal.
Ranboo was torn between hiding and escaping and really just flailing around uselessly. He couldn’t even squirm anywhere for relief as Phil had him cornered. He was trapped in a warm embrace with an army of feathers tormenting his torso. He didn’t hate it honestly, but it was certainly new. He didn’t expect Phil to launch such a playful attack on him.
And judging by the sudden sound of someone clearing their throat, neither did the other occupant of the house.
“This wasn’t quite what I meant by 'chill him out’ Phil, but it seems to be working.”
Techno’s monotone voice made Ranboo flinch and giggle more, ducking in Phil’s arms though he knew the piglin hybrid had a perfect view of the domestic scene.
Phil chuckled, letting his wing settle to gentle brush along Ranboo’s stomach instead of his hyper sensitive ribs. “You threw me into a situation where I could do anything to calm him down. I chose wing cuddles, this was just a bonus.”
Ranboo whined in his arms, tugging at his hands in hopes he could hide his face. Phil didn’t let him budge an inch.
“C’mere mate, try his ears. It’s adorable as fuck.”
The gleeful voice made Ranboo whine again, squirming in Phil’s grip but still giggling madly as that damn wing still hadn't stopped teasing his stomach. Then, there were gentle hands rubbing along the shell and base of one of his ears and Ranboo melted .
He was still tittering hysterically from Phil’s wing, but the soft touch to his ears felt so nice . Before he knew it, his chest was building with a steady rumble. There was a soft, joyful gasp behind him.
“Are you purring? ” Phil’s elated voice asked, the question dripping with fondness.
“N-Nohohoho Ihihim nohohot-” Ranboo tried to press out but the purring and constant giggling wasn’t helping him in the slightest.
“Awwww mate! ” Phil scratched two fingers either side of Ranboo’s upper ribs, grinning and cooing at the squeaky giggles.
There was a huff of breath above. “Okay, you’re right Phil, that’s pretty adorable,” Techno murmured, though Ranboo could hear the quiet adoration in his voice, and that made his face even warmer.
“ Shuhuhush ,” he groaned, yet he wasn’t really hating the attention.
“Nah don’t think we will,” Techno’s fingers lightly scratched behind his ear and Ranboo vwooped in bliss, eyes fluttering at the almost overwhelming sensation that made him melt. The sound made the pair of anarchists soften considerably.
The gentle tickling persisted for a while longer before they decided Ranboo had had enough. Techno ruffled his hair affectionately and then walked to the coffee table to place three mugs of hot chocolate.
“Best drink up while it's hot, kid.” Techno pulled a blanket off the back of his chair and tossed it to Ranboo who was curled up at Phil’s side once more, buried under the large wing that took care to avoid his ears and neck this time.
Ranboo hummed, accepting the mug from Phil with a quiet, “thank you”.
Phil picked his book back up and Techno settled back on his armchair, this time materizling a journal and a feather quill. Ranboo sipped at his drink, flicking his eyes up to Phil who was reading calmly. It didn’t take long before the blonde’s gaze suddenly turned to the teen, a warm smile on his face.
“Would you like me to read to you?” Phil asked quietly, “I think you’d enjoy this story.”
The offer was a bit of a surprise, though it was a nice one. Really nice actually. Ranboo couldn’t remember the last time someone read to him. Soe gave a slow nod, his ears perking up. “Okay,” he murmured, smiling a bit himself.
Phil’s hand not holding the book came to settle on top of his head, fingers gently scratching into his scalp and only setting off another purring cycle. Phil chuckled but didn’t say anything much to Ranboo’s relief, the cooing over his previous one made him more purple than an allium flower.
The snowstorm was a nice background noise, accompanied by the occasional scratch of Techno’s quill. Phil’s voice flowed easily, the story being illustrated for Ranboo in crystal detail. Wrapped up in a soft feathery blanket, surrounded by warmth and good company, Ranboo smiled.
‘One of theirs’, Techno had said. Ranboo liked the sound of that.