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Ranboo exits their house. They pause as they notice a singular crow on their porch. They smile at the dark bird and wave.
The gravel crunches under their feet. They hum a meaningless melody, one they can’t remember the origin from, and the wind seems harmonize. A crow’s call sounds like it’s singing as well.
The flap of wings follows Ranboo until they’ve reached their destination. They ring the doorbell. A caw. “You can’t come in with me; I’m sorry.” Another caw. “I’m sure you’ll find someplace else to hang out?” The bird cocks its head, and Ranboo could swear it seems offended.
Before they can dwell on it, the door swings open.
“Come in, big man!” Tubbo smiles.
Ranboo smiles back. A blush dusts over their cheeks, but surely that’s just the cold. “Thanks.”
The two sit in Tubbo’s room with a cup of tea for Ranboo and a cup of coffee for Tubbo. “How’ve you been, Tubbo?”
“I’ve been well. You?” Tubbo takes a loud slurp that has Ranboo’s face scrunch up in dismay.
“I’ve been good. How are your studies going?” Ranboo watches Tubbo’s eyes light up in that specific way that means they’re going to learn exactly what Tubbo has been doing.
The night progresses as the enderman hybrid listens to the goat hybrid ramble, both content spending time together. When Ranboo has to leave, they both are sad to part ways but know they must.
The cold winter air hits Ranboo. A puff of air looks like the smoke of a fire. A crow caws. The very same crow that has been waiting for Ranboo outside of their friend’s house.
“Hey buddy. Waiting for me?” An agreeing caw, “What a smart bird you are. I don’t have any food for you, but I think... They rummage through their pockets, “Here! I still have a can tab.” It’s one they've kept to give to Tubbo eventually, but they’re too much of a coward. The feathered being takes it from Ranboo’s fingers—briefly they wonder why it’s so trusting before disregarding the thought; it was probably just fed by humans enough to trust them now—and does what almost looks like a bow. Ranboo bows back.
The grass under Ranboo’s shoes is frozen, as are the puddles on the roads and sidewalks. Absentmindedly—Tubbo's hair had looked great today, hadn’t it? They wonder if he’d used a new shampoo—they crossed the road.
For a split second, there is fire. Ranboo coughs, and something that looks like blood coats his hand as he takes it away. Moss overgrows them as they lay still in the ground, worms and maggots making their home in his corpse.
Then it’s over, and he stands on the other side of the road, blinking rapidly as the car speeds off, still swerving slightly. “…that was close.”
A beak ruffles his hair as the crow seems to check him over. “I’m alright, buddy, thanks.”
They hurry home, and this time, their new feathered companion doesn’t let itself be persuaded to stay outside.
Ranboo doesn’t mind too much.
They offer it some crumbs, but it refuses.
They shrug. “Your loss.”
The bed creaks as they slip underneath the covers. It groans as another presence joins them. Ranboo blearily smiles at his new feathered friend.
…
“Ayup.” The blond boy greets.
“Ayup.” Ranboo greets back.
“I’m Tommy.”
“Oh uh, I’m-“
“Ranboo. I know.”
“Uh…”
“I’m the grim reaper’s son.”
“Err… what-“
“He sent me to collect you.”
“But I’m-“
“Just wanted to warn you before I do it.”
“…right, well-“
“I like your locket.”
“Huh? Oh, it’s a matching piece. With my friend, Tubbo.”
“I know Tubbo.” Tommy smiles. “A nice boy.”
Ranboo nods. “The nicest I’ve met.”
That gets a laugh out of Tommy. “You haven’t met many people then, have you?”
“Uh… no, not really.” Ranboo smiles sheepishly. “I don’t really get out much.”
“I’ve noticed. Like, gods, I’ve waited in front of your house for two days before you came out.”
“You were outside of my... you’re watching me!??” This dream is too realistic for that statement not to set off something in Ranboo.
“‘Course. That crow that’s been following ya. ‘S me.”
“You’re a crow? But…”
“I don’t want to be a crow. So in this dream I’m not.” Tommy snaps.
“Huh.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I think you’re a very cute crow?” Ranboo tries to up the mood awkwardly.
Tommy snorts. “Thanks, I guess.”
“…”
“…”
“So uh… You’re saying I'm... dead?”
“Let my old man explain that one.”
“Right, okay.”
Tommy nods. Ranboo’s just about to ask another question when their alarm rips them out of their dream. The crow- Tommy is already awake, it seems. He nudges Ranboo with his beak, gesturing for them to follow him.
Hesitantly, they rise and trail behind the flying... bird? Boy? Demigod? Trail behind the flying being.
Tommy leads them deep into the woods. Wood and leaves crack under Ranboo’s bare feet.
Ranboo freezes as their gaze falls on the small, discrete gravestone.
“Ranboo My Beloved, 02.11.2003-27.11.2021. “Finders Keepers”.” They read. "That's... so it's... oh.” They mutter gently.
A tug on the locket rips their attention away. Tommy pulls, and pulls, and Ranboo is floating. They exist, and then they don’t, and then they’re on a one-meter, grass-overgrown platform surrounded by water, and then-
And then they’re in front of a man that looks just like Tommy did in his dream, but older. And smaller. And with more wrinkles. And black crow wings sitting on his back.
Okay, maybe not exactly the same.
“Uh…” Ranboo starts, but gets cut off by the grim reaper.
“Welcome home.”