Chapter Text
Technoblade couldn't even remember why he was there. He has a vague idea but he disowned it seeing how idiotic it was. He's always been antisocial, it's never really been a problem before. I mean sure, he used to get picked on for it but he never really minded it. Until collage. During collage, his current years, he's been finding himself more and more bothered by it. It's stupid, he knows that, but there's just something about the concept in being normal that appeals to him.
He supposes that's why he's at this party, to seem more socially sound than he is. Though one look at Techno's tense posture and you can tell he's worked up. Everything from the people to the lights are stressing him out. A bunch a drunk collage students and their purple lights mixed with a small disco ball. It's an utter anxiety attack waiting to happen.
It's not that he doesn't know anyone here, he does recognize a few faces from his classes or the halls but he's not particularly friends with them. Other students mingle around him, talking to current friends, meeting new ones. He wants to join them, he just doesn't know if he can. He's not like them, it's a truth that's been drilled into him since childhood, "You'll be different, boy. You'll be more. Be better," his father would say. As a child Techno was never really sure what 'better' was supposed to be. It doesn't really matter. He figures he's making him 'proud' but he can also have a social life.
A drunk girl throws up in the corner.
It draws his eyes over to her where he see the guy she's with standing there awkwardly. The boy makes not attempt to help her hold her hair back or even ask if she's alright. On contrary, he seems moments away from leaving. Technoblade isn't sure he actually wants a social life.
As he makes an annoyed sigh his feet seem to take their own control. Moving him in some random direction, he grabs a red solo cup to fit in (with no real intention on drinking the contents). Dispite his hulking mass he has to squeeze through small groups of people to get where ever he's going. Some people don't notice, some look at his funny, one guy elbows him in the side and it takes all of Technos self control not to whip around and punch him. But eventually he finds himself standing at the back door.
The yards not that big, but definitely an improvement from the dorms balconies. The party has seemingly made its way out here too, though there's less people. He might actually me able to breathe out here-- that's interrupted when someone bulldozes their way past Technoblade. The person in question seems to be looking around for someone. They've seemingly found them when they make an exhausted sigh and march over to a person leaning on the porch railing. Techno steps out onto the wooden deck and watches the ordeal unfold.
The search party, a brunette, not so cleanly shaven, he's wearing your typical dress shirt with a untied tie and plain trousers. There person on the railing however-- a blond, hair almost golden, his- his face as a light stubble also gold. A bright smile appears on the golden man's face as the other approaches him. There's some light orders spouted out but the man laughs. His laugh is carried all the way to where Techno's standing by the door and He reconsiders his disdain for a social life.
The rather one sided conversations quickly over, ending with the brunette walking away and leaving the other with a soft smile. He catches a glimpse at the man's face as he walks by, it's stuck in a down casted scowl. Techno can't help but furrow his eyebrows wondering how both sides came out with these expressions. Well he's left to ponder it his pesky legs betray him yet again. They start moving, leading him subconsciously towards... towards the gold haired man.
Technoblade's breath hitches as he's stood infront of him. The man hasn't yet noticed him though, his eyes glanced out into the yard instead, his smile still present. Techno can't help but notice how much taller he is in comparison, but yet.. there's a feeling in his chest weighing him down-- telling him- well telling him something he can't understand.
There's other things his eyes notice this up close, his mind struggles to keep up with the rapid fire details. like how the muscles in his face create shallow dimples and creases as he smiles. The small wrinkles around his eyes signifying laugh lines. His laugh. Techno would enjoy to hear it again. If he looks close enough he can see light brown freckles lining the man's cheeks and jaw. The small stubble on his face almost looks- soft. Technoblades hand twitches. The fair skinned man has a small nick above his right eyebrow. He wants to know if it's a birth mark or not.
He's not sure how long he's been standing there but long enough for the man to notice- he turns to lokm at Technoblade. His eyes land on his natural around shouldren height before raising to his eyes. And oh, his eyes, in contrast to the gold hair he has blue eyes. They almost sparkle in the artificial light. His eyes are deep and a beautiful shade of blue. One darker than the sky but lighter than sapphires. Cold and suspicious but somehow soft and kind simultaneously. They speak of oldened tales and experiences but so full of wonder-- then his shut down. Technoblade's snapped out of his trance by the man's voice.
"Can I help you, mate?" He asks, in a British accent.
Techno blinks stupidity for a moment or to before shaking his head,Sorry... you're,, I'm, Technoblade." He says extending a hand.
The man eyes it with immense suspicion before taking it. He just now realizes he stopped smiling and he can only hope he doesn't let his disappoint show.
"Philza," the man-- Philza, nods.
Their hands stay clasped together for just a few seconds too long to seem normal. But it's just long enough for Techno to feel how careful and soft Philza's hands are, he's deathly aware of his owns calloused state. Be almost feels guilty for exposing him to that but he frowns when they part.
Philza seems to notice this, his head tilts to the side with a puzzled expression. Slowly a grin spreads on his face, and it's Technoblade's turn to look puzzled. He feels as if he's been judged and served a verdict not yet seen by him. As if the piercing eyes can see everything Techno speads the time to hide. His face is no doubt a shade of red as Philza chuckles to himself with a slight shake of his head. "Sorry, sorry," he says to console. Techno replies with a forced laugh and a, "no no," they continue like this till the blondes laughter dies down.
"So, Technoblade, right?" They way he says it he's sure Philza knows the answer.
Techno humors him and nods with a neutral expression, or at least as neutral as he can get it.
"What year are you?" An innocent question.
"First, and you?" Techno replies.
"Second," he smiles, "and your major?"
"That'd be English,"
This interrogation style questioning continues on for longer than expected, some answers staring up more and more questions some completely out of no where. But each question is asked with a certain tone that gives the impression that Philza knew the answer all along. They find themselves inside at the drinks table at some point. The blonde wanting a swig of something strong and Techno feeling obligated to join in. It's just a drink it'll he okay. He knows when to stop plus how to identify and deal with pressure.
Yeeaaahh, it was more than one drink. It was more than a few even. Both the collage students are now in a fit of laughter that typically dies down so they can breathe just to start up again. The problem wasn't even pressure, it's quite the opposite actually. It's easy to let go with Philza, it's easy to just have pure dumb fun with him. He never tried to get Techno to drink more nor was he even obvious when he got another for himself. Technoblade just seems to have let go of his worries around Philza, dispite only knowing his for a couple hours. He can't explain it, it's a strange phenomenon he'll have to pick apart later.
For now, Techno's trying to regain his composure as Philza leans on him for support. Something in his chest jumps at the contact. It feels wrong and right all at the same time. Philza's got his arm wrapped around Techno's and his head resting hopelessly on his shoulder. Choked hiccups escape the shorter man as he struggles to stop laughing, Technoblade on the other hand has had no problem instantly shutting down with the current events. He's left goggling at the fact Philza is almost perfect height to lay on his chest.
When he's gotten a hold of his bearings the golden haired man unwinds himself from Techno's arm. Techno's chest aches at the loss of touch. But at the very least Philza's looking up at him with a smile.
"Gods Techno! I didn't know English majors could be so funny!" He exclaims giving Technoblade a small nudge.
He smiles, "I think there might be a couple things you didn't know, angel"
He feels wrong saying that-- he has no idea what happened to him-- something must have possessed him for a moment. He can't believe himself in the slightest, he's about to apologize. But Philza's widened eyes stop him for a moment, they're just shocked they're not hurt or angry but he's surprised. The taller male feels he's been stabbed and he reaching to apologize before- before Philza bursts into laughter. Techno stares on with confusion, looking almost like a kicked puppy.
"Oh! Oh! Lighten up mate," His smile is entrancing, addicting in a way.
A silence wracks over them. One still grinning like a bobcat and the other just now calming down. A question nags it's way into the taller students mind, it's an impose to ask.
"Are you?" He asks simply. The other looks confused, "Are you an angel?"
The silence returns. Philza's smile is gone replaced by an unreadable expression. It's like they're the only two left in the house, in the world even. And each second raises two suspicions, the first is that he's done something wrong, the second is that maybe he is. Maybe Philza is an angel in disguise, maybe he's about to be shushed to secrecy or killed instantly due to his discovery. He's smiling again, nothing like he was, it's soft and solemn this time. Technoblade prefers the previous one smile. The man's eyes have even softened.
"I had a fun time tonight."
That's all Philza says, it's not an answer.Techno isn't even sure he wants the answer anymore, not in trade of this. Colors and feelings blossom in Technoblades being for this moment. Even as the golden haired man walks away, away towards the front door.
Technoblade watches him leave with a sweet aching. There's an urge to follow him yet his traitorous legs refuse to move. He wants to chase him down, he's not sure what for but all he knows is he misses him the moment he's gone. He might not have made a friend tonight, he's honestly not sure what happened this evening. But soemthing happened, something between him and the angelic golden haired man, the one who has a smile like the sun and a laugh like a melody happened. Soemthing between them happened, or at least in his mind it did. And within an instant everything comes rushing back, the music, the people, the obnoxious light, but for once, Technoblade can't bring himself to care in the slightest.