A Rich Pig with Issues, Lots of Issues

Strange Company (Techno)

Word Count: 1032

CW: Descriptions of a panic attack

A/N: I wrote something, pog champ. This has been in my drafts for a bit so enjoy it!!

—

Techno hadn't been having the greatest day, to say the least. He had slept through his alarm, been yelled at for almost falling asleep in class, and got a pop quiz that he wasn't prepared for at all in French. The end of the day came far too late and Techno was up as soon as the bell rang, speed-walking out of the class and the school to be ahead of the hordes of demons who would soon be upon him.

The fresh air of the outside had an instant calming effect, the tension in Techno's body withering at the feeling. He felt refreshed. After standing for a moment to let the feeling linger a bit longer, he made his way to a pillar that was out of the way of foot traffic, leaning against it and waiting for the familiar sight of his friend.

"Hey, Techno!" Techno looked up and smiled at Skeppy who was walking over to him, pushing himself off the pillar and meeting the boy halfway.

"Hey Skeps, ready to head out?" They walked home together everyday: a ritual since middle school, considering they lived very close together. It was a more convenient, and fun, way to end the day for sure.

"Actually, about that," the happiness in Techno's heart dropped ever so slightly at Skeppy's tone, "I'm hanging out with Bad today so I can't walk with you, but I'll be there..."

Techno felt his mouth go dry and hands started to shake ever so slightly, him being quick to tense them into fists to stop it. Static filled his ears and his eyes went unfocused as he watched the other, not listening to a word he said. A familiar, foreboding weight settled on Techno's chest—just above his heart—beginning to impede his breathing slightly. He thought he heard himself mutter a quiet affirmation to Skeppy's words above the din of his mind, watching as the other smiled bright and say something else before running off. Swallowing harshly, Techno forced himself to start walking, though barely registered the outside world.

Why... why did Skeppy do this? Did he not like Techno anymore? He had noticed how the ravenette was spending more and more time with his other friends now... or was that just him cherry picking? No—Skeppy was his friend. Skeppy liked him. He hadn't done anything to hurt Skeppy or prove he was a bad friend. There was no reason for Skeppy to not like him.

...

Or was there? Techno had been much more closed off recently, his teachers had suddenly been dumping a ton of tests on them so studying took up most of his free time now. He hadn't been responding to Skeppy much when he tried to start conversation. He brushed off invitations to hang out. Techno's breath hitched, a hand coming up to harshly grip his hair. Oh god... oh god, oh god, oh god, this was all his fault.

"Fuck," he said out loud without thinking, quickly stumbling off the sidewalk to hide in the brush and trees next to him. He couldn't break down in public like this—he couldn't. It was stupid and he was dumb and overthinking things and, god, Techno, get ahold of yourself! Techno slid down the trunk of a tree and sat on the ground, pulling his knees up and burying his face into them. He willed the tears in his eyes not to fall, but a few slid down in spite of it.

Stupid, weak, clingy. You can't expect him to be with you all the time. You're selfish and dependent. He has a life too, one that doesn't involve you. He has other friends, unlike you. You can't take that away from him. You're possessive. You're a crybaby. You're an idiot. You're—

Boop.

Techno was startled out of his spiraling when a cold, wet thing touched his hand. He let out a sharp gasp and snapped his head up. Warm, brown eyes were what he was met with, causing the boy further confusion.

A... dog. A dog was standing in front of him. Huh. It's coat was fluffy and white—or he assumed it was, considering it was currently coated in a layer of dirt—and it's tail was wagging wildly. Techno uncurled a little, relaxing his legs and leaning over a bit to get a better look at the animal.

As soon as he left his body unprotected, the dog pounced. Techno let out a startled yelp as he was pushed back by the small pooch, the dog setting its paws on his chest and aggressively attacking his face with kisses. The pinkette couldn't help but laugh as he was assaulted, wrapping his arms around the fluffy pup as his tears turned from sad to happy.

"Whoa there—calm down!" He said through his laughing, eventually bringing his foot down by using his hand to boop the dog's nose. It calmed the animal right down, making it back off but not leave his lap completely. Once the dog was off him, Techno got a hold of himself, letting his remaining giggles out as he previous anxieties which had plagued him just a moment ago disappeared from memory.

Now that Techno was calm, he assessed the situation more. First he checked the dog for a collar but didn't find one—odd. It looked relatively unhurt as well save for a few bumps here and there, albeit the dirt and long fur made it hard to determine. For a moment, Techno contemplated if Phil would be angry at him for bringing a random dog home, but also figured it was better to take it back. If anything, they would be able to see if the pup was microchipped and return it. But if not...

Techno knew he shouldn't entertain the thought of keeping the dog—he'd end up feeling worse when they inevitably gave them back—but it was difficult not to. As he looked into wide, glassy eyes, he found himself able to live in the present for a bit. With a quick motion, he scooped the dog up and hugged them close. "C'mon, pup, let's get you cleaned up."