Summary: Shroud joins the Party!

Meanwhile Tubbo and Ranboo have accepted the fact Tommy now has a level 5 dangerous Arachnid as a pet and they somehow are not dead.

Tubbo also may or may not be slightly jealous.

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Tubbo and Ranboo didn't know what to expect when they got back to the cave with the fruits. Maybe Tommy would be back. He was not back, they beat him to the cave first. Tubbo wasn't worried, confident that Tommy was just enjoying the fact that he was out for stars knows how long from that cell, or just from captivity in general.

So they wait right? They take and sort the fruit out, Tubbo explaining on some of the fruits he was familiar with, while the others he can only hope are still good for Tommy. So when they hear footsteps (loud footsteps mind you) they thought Tommy was back.

How the fuck were they supposed to react to seeing an Arachnid approaching the entrance with multiple glowing red eyes? And that the species was familiar to them. It was a level 5 'Strenx' Arachnid. Those fuckers are STRONG.

And who was on top of said fucker?

Their human, their psycho pack-bonding motherfucker. Who decided this creature will be his bestfriend. Tommy was riding on it's back, presenting this.. 'Shroud' spider to them...

He kept repeating Shroud so much that they understood at this point that Tommy will not be letting them go. This Arachnid is here to stay, and there was nothing either of them could do or say to convince him otherwise.

Ranboo knew humans had strong pack-bonding instincts, and Tommy seems especially affectionate. He's literally talking in an.. oddly weird higher tone than he normally uses to talk to Shroud. Cooing and rubbing Shrouds head.

At first Ranboo feared for Tommy's hand, but then he looks at said spider who was clicking and hissing into the hand, as if wanting more pats and decides that this is fine. It's completely fine, If Tommy was able to befriend a damn Strenx spider through affection then sure! Why not! Not the oddest thing to have happened all week, that's for sure. Just another item on the checklist to mark off.

He honestly doesn't really mind as much, yea it gave him one hell of a scare when he saw him approaching the cave, but was... less scared when he saw Tommy on top of it. Don't get him wrong, seeing a human on top of said spider was terrifying all on it's own, but neither seemed aggressive towards each other. If anything the spider really liked Tommy's hugs and pats.

So does he mind Shroud now? Not as much anymore, spider didn't even bother to care about them really, only seemed to have interest in Tommy.

Tubbo didn't like the spider.

He can think of 2 reasons really.

Tubbo was small, and a prey species that was similar to another species on planet, a species that falls prey to the arachnids species, especially the big ones. Hopefully Shroud wouldn't look at Tubbo and see him as a meal. He doesn't think Tommy would allow it though, Tommy did not go through wrecking an entire ship of any guards that dared cross his path to protect Tubbo only to let his pet spider eat him.

He also thinks Tubbo is jealous.

"I'm NOT fucking jealous Ranboo" Now if that wasn't denial he doesn't know what is. He can literally see Tubbos ears flicking constantly, he does that when he's agitated or annoyed. And he keeps stealing glances at Shroud, who still has Tommys attention on him.

Ranboo lets a smug expression grow on his face, "uh huh, right, are you just mad he hasn't acknowledged the fact we got him some food or is it that he brought something else to fawn over?" Tommy hadn't seen the laid out fruit, seemingly showing Shroud the cave, as if giving him a tour.

Were all humans like this?

Tubbo stutters over his answer, "Well we spent like what? A quarter of the day searching for edibles and he brings back a fucking Arachnid! Is he even hungry? I swear he was omnivore, were those notes wrong?" he mumbles to himself near the end, sending a glare at the spider. Who has now decided to follow Tommy around to the fire. Tommy seems to be relighting it.

"Tubbo, You can just say you liked it when Tommy gave you attention. He dotted on you and everything, even on the pod on our way here" Ranboo huffs, amused.

"I do not- wait what? On the pod? Wasn't he asleep the whole time though?" fair questions, he was... for the most part.

"He'd wake up a few times, he would glare at me, even give me a hiss or weird growl, then check and see if you were still next to him, and he'd check you for injuries or scratches on you. As if I tainted you with my hands or something when I patched you up. Why do you think every time you woke up you were always in his arms? It was honestly cute, you guys would move around if the other moved" It was indeed very cute.

Tubbos wings spiked up, his ears pinned to the sides of his head and the tuft around his neck fluffed up. He's embarrassed. How cute.

Ranboo laughed at him, ignore the glare he got from the Anthocapradae. "You miss being his main attention or something?" From what he knows about Tubbo, which wasn't much really about his past, Tubbo didn't like talking about it. But he knew that Tubbo was very lonely before meeting Ranboo. His species are hive based, to be without a hive was certain death. Loneliness did not bode well for Tubbo.

Is it possible that Tommy caring Tubbo like a child made Tubbo yearn it? Tommy sure didn't treat Tubbo as a child. Tommy clearly knows Tubbo is fully capable of himself, he treats him in a way that one would when they wanted to be close to a kid, affectionately anyways. Then again Tubbo had a similar attachment to Phil when they were both rescued. This could be a similar case.

Probably doesn't help that Tommy himself was lonely before Tubbo was thrown in his cell. Ranboo was Tubbos friend, but he wasn't a caretaker type y'know? N-Not! Not to say Tubbo needed a caretaker or anything! But he was just another teen...

He's starting to think they need therapy.

Tubbo shrieks at him, flying up and smacking him on the face, his tuft fluffing up more when Ranboo only cackled. Neither of them realizing they caught both Tommy and Shrouds attention.

"No I fucking don't you tall BITCH! I couldn't give a shit if he decides to pay more attention to his pet arachnid! Besides it was all for survival anyways! So it's perfectly logical that Tommy doesn't feel the need to take care of some small ass alien that couldn't do shit for him in return besides give some fucking pats to the head!" okay maybe there was a little bit of unresolved tension there, he starting to agree with the idea of getting some therapy.

Through all of Tubbos mini vent rant, he notices Tommy coming closer behind Tubbo, his expression looking worried. Ranboo tries stopping Tubbo but he keeps going, not bothering to be quiet anymore.

Before Ranboo could decide to do anything, Tommy picks Tubbo from the air and pulls him close to his chest. Tubbo freezes, stunned for a second, before trying to fight out of Tommy's grip. Tommy doesn't seem bothered by Tubbos kicks to his knees and stomach, even when he does wince in pain he does not try to stop it.

"Fucking let me go! Let me go! Go play with your fucking pet!" Eventually Tubbo tires himself out, he stopped struggling to get out of Tommy's grip. Tommy the entire time did nothing but hold Tubbo and gently rake his hand in his hair, muttering words Tubbo didn't understand but got the idea of it being an attempt to calm him.

Tubbo sighed, expecting Tommy to let him go and go back to what he was doing, but instead, Tommy walks back, taking Tubbo with him and sitting both himself and Tubbo next to the fire, Shroud following and sitting down right next to Tommy.

Ranboo gets worried about Tubbos safety, being so close to the Arachnid. But he doesn't stand, knowing Tommy would keep the spider from doing anything.... Hopefully. The arachnid seems to like him.

Tubbo tenses, not feeling comfortable at all being so close to a creature that could legitimately eat him. Shroud pokes his head too close to Tubbo and he buzzes in retaliation, feeling pretty damn scared. "Shroud!" Tommy sharply said the arachnids name, and lightly pushes his head away from Tubbo.

Shroud hissed slightly at Tubbo and walked around Tommy to sit on the other side instead. Was... was Shroud pouting? Do arachnids pout? What the fuck is this?

Tommy rubs Shrouds head and then focused on Tubbo, who he still has in a hug. It feels humiliating. But it also feels really nice. Why were humans soft and warm? Literally makes no sense, even Tubbos fur and tuft on his neck don't make the same warmth that Tommy seems to just emit.

And then Tommy starts running his weird human fingers through his hair and he melts closer. Magic hands, that's what humans have, magic fucking hands, they look weird and all, no sharp claws, all fleshy and shit, but maybe they are on to something if they make simple rubs and scratches feel great.

...

...

...

Is this how he got Shroud to follow his ass? Just offer really good pats and scratches? It sounds extremely plausible.

...

...

He is still going to scream at Tommy the first chance he gets when they can talk to each other.

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He has Tubbo and Shroud on either sides of him. They... are they glaring at each other or having a staring contest? He thinks Shroud would win honestly, too many eyes, that's 100% cheating.

He feels kinda trapped honestly, and concerned. Tubbo seemed to be shrieking all sorts of words at Ranboo, he didn't know what he was saying, but he seemed angry...

just- just a little bit yknow? With the whole shrieking and all.

He's just glad a hug was enough, he honestly thought Tubbo would sting him again and he was not looking forward to that. So here he is, sat stuck between a giant spider and the seemingly small kid he got attached to.

He's kinda starting to think that Tubbo is not a child. Why? Well he acts differently from what a kid typically does, a kid is capable of handling themselves when they have experience, but something about Tubbo makes him think it also could be age as well. After all, he's an alien, maybe he's naturally this tiny?

That... kinda implies that Tommy has been treating him and thinking him as a legit child... just because he was small...

Is that offensive? Has he offended Tubbo? He doesn't know! And he won't know until he gets some form of communication. And even if he attempts to communicate with them Tubbo talks in the form of hums and Ranboo in warbled sounds that hurt his throat when he copies them.

That... was one of the reasons he had stopped dotting so much on the ki- on him when they landed. At first he thought that Ranboo was his parental guardian y'know? And sure Tommy didn't like that, but who is he to decide that he wants to take Tubbo from Ranboo who has been with him longer and would know his needs better?

But now that he's seen them interact with each other it reminds him of teens who would hangout together and mess around with each other, annoy the other. It felt human. It didn't feel like a guardian with a kid.

It just feels different, and that's why he's starting to think Tubbo isn't a kid, for all he knows, he could be around his age for crying out loud! But he doesn't know. Hell, Maybe Ranboo is the child while Tubbo is the older one!

He's also absolutely dreading that answer, he thinks he'd rather have Tubbo be a kid, do you have any idea how fucking embarrassing that will be? 'Yea hey! You were tossed in my cell and you looked tiny, adorable, and I assumed you were a kid that I must keep to spite those creepy fucks'

He has a feeling he will get yelled at. Yknow what? He can live with that, cause he's gonna yell at them back for calling him 'Mommy'. Fair trade really. His comments never helped. It felt like having a duck that's been following you all day look you dead in the eyes and quacked once.

He had that happen once near a lake, a baby duck quacked at him and he dead ass cried. Not that anybody was around to see. Big men cry sometimes.

He was so deep in thought he almost didn't hear Ranboo shuffling from the other side of the cave, the noise echoing. Looking over, he sees Ranboo awkwardly getting closer to the fire, which was odd in itself. From what he's observed, Ranboo doesn't mind the cold, he doesn't need warmth.

Then again, it could be the same like a person wanting something or liking something they don't need, same principle really, maybe Ranboo likes the warmth even if he doesn't need it. That sounds right.

He eyes Ranboo, looking at him hunched over, he doesn't know if it's natural for him to be angled like that but it's hurting his back just looking at him. He looks down at Shroud, the big spider just chilling on his side.

He mumbles to the spider to get on him. Shroud just looks at him like he's stupid, not understanding a single word he spoke. Taking his hand from Tubbos head he grabs shroud, and plops him on his lap. He honestly thought Shroud would weigh more but he doesn't. Felt like he grabbed a chihuahua. With lots of legs.

Shroud hisses for a second before realizing that this was a much better spot and sat there, all 8 legs tucked in and looking content. He's actually impressed Shroud can make himself look that small on his lap.

He calls out to Ranboo, "Boo, get over here before I change my mind" He pats the available side next to him. Ranboo tilts his head, carefully coming closer, probably expecting Tommy to go 'SiKE BITCH' and push him away or something.

Nah, he just kinda feels bad for having these 2 all cuddled next to him and Ranboo being left out. And he's not... that bad, still too tall, but he's enjoyable company... not that he'll EVER let the bastard know.

He sits as patiently as he can as he watches Ranboo situate himself next to Tommy, not leaning closer but just kinda, sitting there.

Okay this is awkward, what was something he could do that could possibly make Ranboo relax?

As he was thinking, his right hand scratches Shrouds head and the left hand gently ruffling Tubbos hair. Both become more content. He snaps out of his thoughts when Shroud made a pleased click... or what he thinks is a pleased click, it's a click man, he can't tell, but he knows Shroud liked it.

Oh! There's an idea! Maybe some form of contact Ranboo would like. Unless he's one of those people who don't generally like touch. He sighs out, annoyed over thinking so much about whether or not Ranboo would even like to talk to him or allow touch.

A warbled sound answers him, turning to Ranboo, he sees him looking at him, avoiding eye contact though. Curious. He copies the sound back, and smiles when Ranboo perks up. Maybe Ranboo likes to hear him?

"You're a weird one yknow? So tall and you could totally be a menace, and yet you hunch over like someone took a bat to your back, it's making my back hurt man. You should get that checked out, do you guys have chiropractors in space?" he decides to gently ramble, asking questions that won't be answered, talking to Ranboo really. He hears Ranboo warbling back at him. Neither of them understanding the other, but having a sense of peace between them. It felt nice. To be listened to even if they can't contribute in a language he can understand.

He doesn't know how much time passed, but eventually Shroud got bored, scurried off of Tommy and made his way out of the cave. Tommy jerked slightly, not wanting Shroud to leave but with Tubbo still on him, he could only watch as Shroud left the cave. But Shroud looked back at him and hissed lightly, scurrying off into the- oh shit it's almost nighttime.

He goes to get up but Ranboo plops a fruit on his lap, what in the fuck is that? It looks like if a banana and a donut had a baby. He picks it up, eyes the fruit and looking up at Ranboo. "I'm guessing this is for me to eat?" Ranboo pushes another fruit- where did they get all this fruit? Is that what they were doing all day?- Ranboo pushes another towards him, his tail swishing side to side, he thinks I hears a noise from Ranboos chest. He can't tell what it is though.

This was... extremely nice of them to find fruits for him, was it to repay him back for the fish?

He carefully brings the fruit to his mouth, mentally hoping this wouldn't taste sour or poison him and took a bite.

Holy shit it tastes like honey almost, but if it was mixed with a banana flavor. It's weird hearing it but he swears to god it tastes really sweet. "Holy shit this is great! Thank you" he nods at Ranboo, smiling, letting him know he's thankful for the fruit, and he starts munching away at the weird donut, there's a couple other ones and he's itching to try some alien foods man.

He feels Ranboo leaning on his shoulder, just a little bit, and he does his best to not notice it, letting Ranboo relax against him. He smiles into the weird honeybanana fruit. Enjoying the company of both aliens.

He hopes they aren't stranded on the planet for long, surely there's a way to maybe go to the locals for help?

He feels a quiet rumbling coming from Ranboo. Holy shit is he purring!? He's not some tall ass alien, he's just a big cat! He experimentally leans a bit into Ranboo, testing the waters if you will. Ranboo only seemed to purr louder.

It's very relaxing, being surrounded by his 2 companions. He pulls Tubbo closer and leans into Ranboo more, who also leans into him. He can feel Ranboos tail wrapping around him carefully.

Okay, this is happening then.

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Where a pod remains, crashed and damaged, was surrounded by officers of the planet, along with the Kristin Crew, who are looking for any possible signs of their crewmates.

One of the officers, the leader of the squadron, who looks like a snake with legs, walks over to them. "Are you for certain that this is the pod your members were on? We've received the other pods that had the escaped the ship, the dreamons in the exact spots those pods were designated to land in. Those guys are arrested but this pod is the only one that went rogue and landed somewhere not to its designated coordinates"

Philza's wings puff slightly, frustrated. "For the last time yes! We know it's theirs, Tubbo is fully capable of hacking and messing with simple coordinates to make the pod land wherever he wants, this was purposeful." The officer still looks skeptical, especially when they told him that Tubbo was a Capra. Damn specie-ists.

"Very well, we will report to you if we find any leads or any of your crewmates. We can handle it" They wrote down some notes and walked over to the pod, most likely going to ask those who inspected it.

Wilbur scoffs. "Like we'd sit still while they do half an effort to find them" Techno nods in agreement. "We'd be better off finding those 2 on our own" Technos ears were twisting this way and that, listening in on all the conversations from the officers, and Wilburs skin fading in and out of opacity. They're both stressed and worried.

Phil turns to them, smiling gently, reassuring them. "I never said we're gonna sit and wait for them, we're definitely going to search for them, I'm sure they are safe" In the back of his head, he's worried, those 2 weren't the best in survival skills, not out on a random planet.

He just hopes they are alright.

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Notes: There wasn't supposed to be a soft moment w Tubbo wanting Tommys attention or even with Ranboo strengthening his bond w Tommy, but it happened anyways, at first I wasn't pleased, but as I finished I kinda liked it, yall give me ur thoughts! I feel like I could have done better but I was a bit rushed when I was typing this out. I haz college.