Chapter Text
Ranboo flings his backpack onto the entryway floor with a huff, kicking his shoes off. All he wants to do is swan dive into his bed and hibernate for the rest of the year as a familiar buzz vibrates in his chest starts to turn into a constant ache. He winces as there is a firm whack on his back. “ Hey! ” He flicks his head around with a pout.
Puffy stands with her arms crossed, white hair pulled into a tight ponytail. “You know better than to fling your things around like that. Take them to your room.” She walks past him and places her keys on the wooden end table by the stairs before going further into the house.
“I will in a minute-” Ranboo starts but is cut off by the daggers coming from Puffy’s eyes. He huffs again and picks up his bag dramatically. He slings the messenger bag over his shoulder and makes his way towards the stairs through the maze of cardboard boxes. The movers could’ve at least lined them against the wall or something. His room wasn’t much, just the necessities. A twin bed rests against the far wall, adorned with only a pillow and an old comforter. A black stuffed cat sits at the head of the bed. Next to the sole window, a desk sits straight ahead of the door with a wooden chair pushed into it.
Ranboo places the bag on his mattress and walks over to the delicate plush. The once fluffy fur has grown matted from years of washing and countless homes. It was covered in stitches made with multiple threads, its eyes were two mismatched buttons, one red and one green. A small, melancholy smile makes its way onto his face as he holds the plush closer to his chest and lightly pets its limp ear. The aching in his chest starts to lessen. He had made sure that he packed the cat separately from the rest of his things. The last thing he needed was for the plush to get mixed up with his brothers’ things. Speaking of his brothers…
“Foolish! Let go of my shit!”
“Gotta reach it, loser!”
“I swear to God if you don’t give me my shit right now-!”
Ranboo sighs and places the plush cat carefully back on the bed before making his way downstairs. He peeks his head out from the foot of the stairs, hand resting on the textured wall as he investigates the shouts. A tall, muscular teen in a tan t-shirt looms over a slightly shorter boy in a lime green zip-up, a phone in his hand. The shorter of the two reaches up for the device, his face growing more red. The taller laughs loudly at his struggle. Ranboo shivers as his hairs stand on end and crackling fills the air.
“Boys!” Puffy yells from the kitchen archway, arms crossed as she glares at the two teens. Both boys immediately look over towards the woman with guilty expressions. “Foolish, give your brother his phone back. Dream, watch your mouth.”
The two teens looks at their mother bashfully and mutter apologies. Once Puffy turns back to the kitchen, Foolish grins and, with a shove to the other, books it up the stairs, phone in hand. Dream quickly catches himself on the railing before pursuing the other. Ranboo grunts as a hard shoulder bumps into him and takes his breath away. He rubs his shoulder as he walks into the kitchen.
Puffy sits at a small wooden table, takeaway menus in front of her. “Those boys are gonna be the death of me.” She looks over at him as he walks past her. “Hey, kiddo. What are you feeling for dinner?”
Ranboo sits at the table across from her and shrugs. “Uh… something easy, I guess? You guys have to leave soon for the gym, right?” He picks at the loose skin around his fingernails.
Puffy’s eyes widen as she drops the menu in her hands. “Oh shit, it’s Thursday.” She rushes over to the counter and grabs her bag. “Boys! Get ready, we have to go!” She looks over to Ranboo and smiles at him. “Are you coming with? We still need to get you evaluated.”
Ranboo scratches the back of his neck and shrugs again. “Do we have to? I mean, they tested me at the center and said I don’t have any abilities.” He would rather curl up in a ball and die than be poked and prodded all over again. He can practically feel the needles sticking him and the electrodes that always left his skin red and irritated.
Puffy looks at him softly. She walks over and places a hand on his shoulder, thumb stroking gently. “They didn’t say that. They marked you as ‘low possibility’ when you were like ten. You’re at the age when everyone starts to show their abilities, so why not re-test?” She squeezes his shoulder and meets his eyes. “You can come with me to work and I can administer the test if you’re worried about being alone with a stranger.”
“I dunno. If you think that it’s worth another try, we can, but I doubt the results will be different.”
“What results?” Dream shuffles into the kitchen, eyes locked on his phone. He had changed into some sweatpants and an athletic tank-top, white cloth mask pulled down under his chin.
Puffy stands up straight, hand still on Ranboo’s shoulder. “Dream, tell your brother that getting re-evaluated is a good idea.”
Dream eyes Ranboo, taking note of his pinched expression and the overbearing hand on his shoulder. He makes his way over to the table and plops down in the chair next to him. “If he doesn’t want to get re-evaluated, that’s his choice. Not a big deal,” he says nonchalantly.
Puffy huffs slightly but lifts her hand off the boy’s shoulder. “I suppose. Just know that if you ever change your mind, you can tell me.” She pats both boys’ shoulders. “I should go make sure Foolish is actually getting ready.”
The two sit in relative silence. Dream scrolls through his phone but keeps flicking his eyes over at the younger boy. Dream reaches up to flick his forehead with an audible thunk . “You comin’ with us to the gym? Apparently, Atlas will be there tonight.”
Ranboo pouts and rubs the spot with his fingertips, effectively snapped out of his soon-to-be spiral. “Atlas? Isn’t he like, a wanted criminal? Why the hell is he allowed into the heroes’ gym?
“His dad got his charges dropped. Or at least, that’s what Sap overheard from Bad.” Dream fiddles around with his phone once again, seemingly engrossed in a random flash game.
“We both know you only want me to come because you want me to see you get your ass kicked.” He laughs and dodges a blow to his shin. “Nah, I think I’m fine here. I still have to unpack my stuff anyway.”
Dream flicks his eyes up to the boy before back to his phone, huffing as he dies in his game. “Suit yourself. Just saying, she’s going to make you come with us one of these days.”
He would rather be sent to P.R.I.M.E. Labs with Puffy than go to any of the training gyms. Too many people screaming and fighting, bright fluorescent lights, and it always smells of brimstone and metal by the end of the night. He looks around the kitchen, letting his mind wander. It’ll be nice to have the house quiet for a few hours. He can go through all the boxes piled up and make sure that all his things are there. Sure, some help lifting them up the stairs would be appreciated, but he’ll manage. Hopefully, everything made it safely. Did Puffy mention anything about enrollment? He should ask. Shit, did his computer make it alright? Of course, it did. He made sure to wrap it extra carefully. What about the monitors? He still has files he needs to upload on his flash for that guy. Maybe Dream will help him set it up after he gets home. No, he needs to get it done tonight. He can manage. How did he forget about it? He told him it would be done like three days ago. Maybe he can stay up tonight and get it done. God, how could he just forget? Stupid, stupid, stupid-
“ -boo? Ranboo? You in there?”
Ranboo blinks rapidly before focusing on what’s in front of him. Dream stares at him with pinched brows and a concerned frown. His hand is up, fingers pressed together in a snapping motion. “You back, kid? You zoned out pretty hard there. Started doing that weird breathing thing again.”
“Oh, sorry. Just got lost in thought. Do you know where the movers put my PC stuff? I don’t remember if Puffy told them where to set it.”
Dream’s frown deepens. “Uh, pretty sure they put it in the hallway upstairs. Do you need help putting it together?”
“No, I got it. Just wanted to know if I had to drag it upstairs or not.” He stands abruptly. “Thanks, by the way. For standing up for me about the whole, ya know, re-evaluation thing.” He rushes up the stairs. Foolish and Puffy side-eye him as he passes them.
“Uh… You’re welcome?”
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Ranboo scrolls through the lines of codes, arm wrapped around the plush cat sitting in his lap. He gives the virus a quick test on an emulator before moving it onto the flash drive hooked onto a keyring with a relieved breath. He leans back and stretches with a groan before grabbing the leftover trash from dinner and making his way downstairs. He crushes the paper bag into a ball and throws it away before checking his phone with a huff. Asshole left him on opened. He was complaining about how urgent this virus was literally a few hours beforehand, and now he’s being distant.
The virus wasn’t complicated to make, just a simple program that encrypts the downloader’s information. He’s made these dozens of times. What made this one a pain was the time crunch the buyer had put on him as well as their refusal to disclose any of the information regarding the program’s purpose. So, he made a catch-all virus and is hoping for the best. Ranboo pulls up his messenger app and types out another response, growing increasingly annoyed.
End: its done. Just need the address to send it to, online or physical. Can also do a drop off if you want.
??? need to know by tonight
ghosting me isnt going to get your money back, dude
Seven: E.A.S. campus. Drop off by the fountain. Avoid cameras. The rest of the money will be there.
End: by?
Seven: Sunrise.
Ranboo groans and runs his hand through his hair. Of course. He goes silent for hours then all of a sudden it’s urgent again. How the hell is he supposed to get into E.A.S. in the middle of the night? Or better yet, out of his own damn house?
Seven: Is that a problem, End?
Ranboo looks at the digital clock on the stove. It was still early in the night, only 2 am. If his memory serves him well, E.A.S. is only a five-minute drive away, so theoretically he could drop off the flash and be in bed within the hour. It would be a quick drop-off and return.
End: i’ll be there. Have the money ready, Seven. Or is that too much for you?
Seven: You wound me, End
With a heavy eye-roll, Ranboo tip-toes upstairs, making sure to close his door as quietly as possible. It’ll be fine. He’s dealt with this guy multiple times, so he knows he’s reliable. Even if he’s a pain in the ass. He unlocks his window and checks the surroundings. The first floor roof is right below his window, giving him easy access out as well as ribbed support beams for easy re-entry. Unfortunately, his window faces the street, so anonymity could be an issue. He doesn’t think any of the neighbors will see him, but it’s a possibility. Either way, he’s dropping this flash off tonight. Ranboo digs around his bag and pulls out a pocket knife before reaching under his bed. He pulls out a heavily duct-taped trash bag and cuts into it, revealing a change of clothes. Wrapped in the black and white hoodie is a small handgun.
Ranboo picks up the gun and gives it a look over, checking the rounds. He’s never had to use it, most of the time he just needs to flash the weapon, and whatever threat tends to stop being a problem. Heroes and villains alike seem to not want to risk being kissed by lead.
He quickly gathers the clothing and changes, slipping the gun in his waistband. Grabbing the keyring with the flash on his bedside, Ranboo looks around for something to lock up his room with. He decides on using the makeshift desk chair, leaning it under his door handle before slipping his mask over his face, pulling his hood up, and making his way out of the second-story window.
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Ranboo fiddles with the settings on his phone. It only took the teen a few minutes to scan the campus before finding an outdoor electrical box right at the edge of the grounds and outside of the tall, steel fencing. Clipping in a simple circuit disrupter turned the entire outer campus cameras into a one-press fix. Hell, the box wasn’t even locked . Now the only issue is getting into the main campus without being spotted by the guards. The whole drop-off will be ruined if they figure out he’s here. Not only will he get searched, but best-case scenario they call the police and he gets booked for the night again. In the worst case, they recognize him and call Puffy.
Ranboo crouches behind one of the pristinely trimmed hedges on the side of the building, stilling completely as he hears footsteps grow closer. He sneaks over to the next bush as he stalks the security guard patrolling the fence, heartbeat echoing in his ears. She’s an average build, a bit taller than Puffy, and lean. Honestly, if he wanted to, Ranboo could probably take her down. Well, if it wasn’t for the pale yellow sparks that surround her and crack in the cool air. This woman was a walking taser waiting to strike. He stops once again as the distinct static of a walkie-talkie echoes out uncomfortably close to him. “West end seems clear. No sign of trespassers. Got the cameras working, Walker?”
“No, ma’am. Think P.R.I.M.E. is testing out something new. Any signs of Sparky and the gang?”
Ranboo presses his hand over his masked mouth as the woman laughs humorlessly and leans against the tall metal fence, right in front of him. “Azrael’s kids are nowhere to be seen. Now, figure out how to get the perimeter cameras working.”
He doesn’t have time for this. Seven is waiting for this flash and he’s ninety percent sure he has enrollment in like, six hours. The last thing he needs is to be a sitting duck while some randos chit-chat. He peeks his head above the hedge slightly, hand hovering over his waist as he watches the woman walk away from him and towards the main part of the campus. He keeps low as he inches towards the fountain in the center of the square. As he gets closer, hand still hovering over the gun, he notices a lily blossomed in the middle of the basin, a stem appearing to stretch down the drain. He digs into his pants pocket for the small keyring. A wave of panic washes over him.
“Lost something, End?” A distorted voice speaks out, spinning the keyring around their finger.
Ranboo snaps his head up at the voice but immediately relaxes at the cherry red hoodie and black jeans. He looks around his surroundings and reaches up, grabbing the center of the hoodie and tugging the man down to his level. “Seven? What the hell are you doing just standing in the open?” He whispers.
Seven laughs as the lily disappears from the fountain and now wraps around his arm, the sound static and muffled by his full metal facemask. “We’re fine, End. H has it covered.”
“What is that supposed to mean-” Before he can finish his quarry, a large eruption of crackling yellow light blasts from the other side of the school. Not too long after that, sirens start to blare and dozens of footsteps march towards the blast.
Ranboo looks at Seven. “You got to be kidding me. All this for a damn flash drive?”
Seven shrugs. He grabs onto Ranboo’s shoulder and pulls him up. “Let’s bounce before security gives up on catching him. Come on, money is in the car.”
The two manage to leave the campus without being seen and make their way down the street. Ranboo keeps his hands in his hoodie pocket while Seven casually walks ahead of him, one hand in his pocket while the other spins the flash drive on his index finger. He tilts his head back slightly as Ranboo looks behind them. “What’s got you all antsy, End? This isn’t your first rodeo.”
“You’ve also never had us meet in the middle of one of the most protected buildings in the city,” Ranboo hisses.
“Oh, that. In all honesty, I told H that he could come and take his anger out if he would drive me. And well, E.A.S. is the perfect place. Besides, we got out fine, didn’t we?”
Ranboo huffs but shrugs it off. Good enough reason, he supposes. He isn’t sure who ‘H’ is, Seven has never mentioned him before, but it’s none of his business. The less he knows, the better. He just needs to get the money and get home.
They continue up the street until they come across a lone shiny silver car. The back passenger door is cracked, a pair of legs flung through the opened window, foot bouncing along to an unheard rhythm. Dark gold combat boots cling around and cinch the brown pants around the ankles. “Oh, you got to be kidding me. You brought him?” Ranboo whines.
“Calm your tits, End. You don’t have to talk to him, don’t worry. He’s just extra clingy today.” Pressing a gloved hand on Ranboo’s chest, Seven pushes slightly until he stops walking and continues on his own. He leans over the window as the legs shift to allow him room. He points at something in the car and waits until a hand passes him over a bundle of bills.
He does a quick count of the money before jogging back to Ranboo, who is still looking around. “Yo, End! Here.” He hands him the clip. “Two-fifty even. Feel free to count it.” He crosses his ankles and puts his hands in his pockets.
Ranboo raises an eyebrow and thumbs through the bills, pocketing it once he makes sure it’s correct. “Thanks. So what do you need the flash for? Not like you to keep me in the dark.”
Seven lets out a short, static sound. “Mmm, don’t worry about it, End. You made sure to remove your tag, right? Good.”
He twists his neck back to the car as the boy in the car lets out a loud whistle followed by a higher pitch voice. “Seven! H is almost here! Tell your fucking buddy to get lost!”
Ranboo rolls his eyes. “You don’t have to tell me. I got to get home anyway. Good doin’ business, Seven. You know where to find me if you need anything else. Give the rest my love.” Before the masked man can respond, Ranboo begins to jog away from the car and towards his house.
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It takes a bit longer than expected, but Ranboo eventually makes it back to the two-story house. With a strained grunt, he makes his way up the support beams, through his window, and practically collapses on the carpeted floor. He rolls over onto his back and pulls off his mask and glasses before rubbing his eyes. God, it’s been a minute since he had done an in-person drop-off. Maybe he should join Dream and Foolish on their gym visits just to get back in shape. He begrudgingly stands - trying his best to ignore the burning in his thighs and how out of breath he is - and empties his hoodie pocket of the money and his phone before pulling it off.
Opening his closet, Ranboo hides the hoodie and puts the cash in a jewelry box at the top before pushing it to the back. He takes the gun out and gives it a look over before grabbing a random pillow that he unpacked and submerges it in the cotton filling, tossing it in the closet as well. He closes the door after pulling out a random shirt, not wanting to look at the weapon and box anymore. Just a backup, he reasons.
Ranboo throws on the shirt and changes into some pajama pants and makes his way over to his bed, moving the chair back and picking up his phone off his desk beforehand. He plugs his phone in and flings himself face-first on the bed, groaning into his pillow. Reaching out blindly, he feels for the cat and turns to hold it to his chest. God, he’s so tired. At least he can get some sleep. End can be put away for now. He dropped off the flash drive, got the money, made it home safely, and no one saw him. Now all he has to deal with is being Ranboo tomorrow.