"Why didn't you tell him what I told you?"

"Because why would I?" Techno spoke aloud since he was in his house alone. "He wouldn't believe me if I told him that a voice in my head told me that I was a god."

"Believe it or not, he actually would."

Techno rolled his eyes as he stuffed some food into his bag. "Yeah right."

Techno jumped slightly when he heard a gentle knock on the door. He opened it to be greeted by an unfamiliar man holding a zombified humanoid pig.

He looked young, maybe around Tommy and Tubbo's age. He seemed to be half one creature and half another because both his skin and hair were half black and half white (the actual colors, not skin tones). His left eye was vivid emerald green, while his right was more of a scarlet red. He also had black animalistic ears and a wire-thin tail with a white tuft of fur(?) at the end. He wore a black suit with a red tie and a small golden crown, much smaller than his, adorned in some odd teal gem.

This must be Ranboo, then.

"Hey, Techno." He said. His voice sounded a lot like his own, which surprised him a bit, except that Ranboo's was a slightly higher pitch, but it was hardly noticeable compared to his own. The kid also sounded tired, and it was then that he noticed all the bags under his eyes.

"Hey...Ranboo..."

Ranboo laughed. "Phil told me what's going on, so you don't have to pretend that you know me."

"Oh thank god." Techno laughed.

Ranboo smiled politely. "Yeah, uh, do you really not remember anything?"

Techno shook his head. "Bits and pieces mostly. I remember that you and Tubbo were close though."

He nodded. "Yeah, yeah we were. We were married, actually."

"Oh." Techno looked at the pig creature. "What's with the kid?"

"This," He held up the creature, "is Michael. He is mine and Tubbo's adopted son. I'm not surprised you don't remember him, you've only met him once, and that was at Tubbo's funeral."

"How close was I to them...? Wilbur, Tommy, and Tubbo, I mean."

Ranboo sucked in a breath. "Uh, I'm not entirely sure. I didn't arrive until after Wilbur's death, and I can only say what I've been told, but...Phil told me that you and Wilbur were almost like brothers. The two of you had known each other since you guys were kids and had apparently been close.

"As for Tommy, that's a little more complicated. According to Tommy, he had known of you before you arrived. You were his role model, he idolized you. Then, afterward, the two of you fought often. Wilbur wanted to blow up L'manburg, and you were on his side, while Tommy wasn't. Then you killed Tubbo, and that really set Tommy off. Years later, the two of you were in exile, and he ran to your doorstep, having nowhere else to go. It was then that he really started considering you as an older brother figure, kinda like Wilbur. Then you told him that you wanted to finish what Wilbur started, and that led to Tommy siding with Tubbo, which broke your heart.....that was the first and only time I've ever seen you cry, Techno.

"A-and as for Tubbo, that's even more complicated. The two of you were on good terms at first, and the two of you only really butt heads when you helped blow up L'manburg both times, but afterward, the two of you were on good terms."

"...Woah..."

"Yeah..."

Techno looked back at his doorway. "Do you, uh, wanna come inside?"

"Please?"

~<•>~

"Are you okay, Tubbo?" Tommy asked during lunch.

Currently, Tubbo had his head on the table, looking like he was going to pass out any second.

"'M tired..." was his response.

"Yeah, no shit. You've been staying up a lot these past few days." Tommy pointed out, though anyone could point out the distinct concern underlying his harsh tone. "Seriously though, you need to get more sleep."

"But exams are coming up, so I need to know the textbook like the back of my hand," Tubbo argued.

"Tubbo," Tommy said in a warning tone.

"Tommy," Toby responded in the same tone.

"You can't even read, how are you even studying?" Tommy asked.

"Oh, this kid in my class had been helping me once I explained that I'm dyslexic," Tubbo explained. "Ranboo, I think his name is."

"Who?"

Tubbo sighed. "The kid with albinism and heterochromia." He rolled his eyes when Tommy still looked lost. "White hair, one green eye, one red eye? Wears a lot of blacks? You call him 'dollar store Technoblade'."

"Ohhhhh!" Tommy's eyes filled with recognition. "You know, you could've just asked me for help. You know I would've been happy to."

Tubbo picked at his food, shrugging. "I don't know, I just kind of wanted to be his friend, you know? He seemed kinda lonely. I mean, not only is he the new kid, but he has albinism and heterochromia. Everyone either ignores him or avoids him entirely. I feel bad."

"You're too nice, you know."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"I guess not, no."

Tubbo shrugged, throwing his untouched food away. "He's actually pretty damn cool. He plays Minecraft, too, so we can invite him over one weekend and play. I think the two of you would get along nicely."

Tommy shrugged, grabbing his backpack as the bell rang. "As long as he doesn't steal my best friend from me."

Tubbo rolled his eyes. "He won't trust me."

~<•>~

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