SBI family AU

String Lights

Niki looked longingly at a furniture magazine. There was a page with a small porch that had string lights draped over the wooden beams. She sighed and set the magazine down, causing Techno to look up from his book.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Niki huffed and kicked her feet over the top and dangled upside down off the couch, "Do you dance, Techno?"

Techno hummed as he sipped his tea, "No, I skipped Homecoming and Prom. Why?"

"No reason, just curious," Niki eventually slipped off the edge off the couch and watched him read, moving to sit on the arm of his chair.

Techno kept glancing at her before groaning and closing his book, "Do you know how weird it is to try and read when someone's watching you?"

Niki laughed, "Yes, that's why I did it."

Techno huffed, "What are you plotting?"

Niki smiled and opened the magazine back up, holding it up so he could see. He looked at it for a moment before glancing at her.

"Do you want string lights?"

Niki laughed, "No! Since Tubbo's staying the night at his friends, why don't we go find a place like this? Then maybe I can take a date there and we can dance under the stars."

Techno groaned, "You won't leave me alone unless I agree, right?" Niki nodded and he stood up, "Fine, ok. Let's go."

Niki hopped up happily and followed him out. They searched for an hour with no luck. Niki groaned as they stopped to get a bite to eat.

"How can this literally be nowhere? It's such a good idea!" Niki huffed as she sat down at the table.

Techno set down her food and sat across from her, "Maybe because it's a potential fire hazard."

"It is not! It's just lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling. Those are called ligh- Hey!" Niki cut herself off and swatted at Techno's hand, which was trying to take some of her fries.

Techno quickly pulled away, "What if they were to fall?"

"Literally how. You'd have to tug on it," Niki said and bit into a fry, purposely taking her time.

"Or the wind, a tall person, someone trying to hang from them," Techno said as he pulled out his phone.

"I call BS. It's a great idea," Niki said and bit into another fry, "You can have some too if you ask, you know."

Techno hummed and took a few, his eyes focused on his phone. They sat in silence while Niki ate, the sound of the city as background noise.

A few days later, Niki got a text from Techno. She looked at it confused.

Come over in something you'd wear to a first date.

Niki stared at it in slight shock before responding.

what??

You can read. And no, we're not dating. :)

Niki just shook her head and got changed. She settled on cropped, white hoodie, jeans, and her favorite choker. Getting into the car, she kept reading the text. Was Techno looking to be more than friends? She didn't think he liked her like that and she definitely didn't like him like that.

Before she knew it, she was standing in front of his apartment door and she knocked.

Tubbo cracked the door slightly and smiled, "Come on in!"

Niki looked at him confused until the door fully opened and she gasped, putting a hand over her mouth. Techno was standing in the living room, the furniture pushed to the side and above him hung string light bulbs.

"I'm not your dream date, but I guess I can dance," Techno smiled and held out his hand, which she happily took.

Tubbo smiled and watched them dance, Techno definitely having two left feet. As the night went on, Tubbo had to go to sleep and they turned down the music, softly swaying to it.

Niki looked up at him, "Thank you for this."

Techno smiled, "I'd be a bad best friend if I didn't. Just don't drag your date here and expect the lights to still be up."

Niki laughed and they fell back into a comfortable silence, quietly swaying to the music.

She'd never forget that night.