Monachopsis

Chapter 15

CW: Implied stalking, tracking of an unaware person

"Hey Koe." Ranboo smiled. It was 2 days before Christmas, and he was helping Crumb set up Christmas lights on the tree. "Can I borrow him from you Crumb? I wanna train." They smirked.

Koe looked to Crumb who shook her head. "I couldn't care less." She grabbed a pager and mumbled some muffled words. "I've got other help." She smiled.

"Nice to know." Koe rolled his eyes. "Let's go E.B." As they walked, Ranboo looked at Koe's outfit. He was wearing some bootcut black jeans paired with a white sweater with a quote on it. 'Get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble. -John Lewis.'

'That's nice.' He thought. "Hey," they started, "how're you feeling about the new people, Crumb, Eryn, and BadLinu? Heck," he stopped in front of an unoccupied training room, "what're your feelings about Chao and Lotv? I know you've talked to them somewhat, but." They shrugged as they opened the door to the room.

Following Shadow's gesture into the room, Koe walked in. "Well, I already knew the three 'new people,' but I'm much closer to Crumb then Eryn and Linu." Ranboo turned the sign on the door to 'occupied' and shut the door behind them. "Eryn and Linu are cool though, I guess."

Koe walked towards the weapons rack. "Chao seems nice, I guess. Same with Lotv." He grabbed an axe.

"Come on," Ranboo grabbed a pickaxe, "you have to have something to say about Chao or Lotv. You've spent some time with them."

"Well, Chao reminds me of Drista and...him. Y'know," he drifted off before picking back up. "With their attitude and all." Koe laughed. "And Lotv reminds me of you and Afinity. Also a bit of Eret."

"I can see that," Ranboo laughed. After an awkward silence, Ranboo spoke. "Do you...remember my name?" Koe swallowed. "I mean, we used to hang out. I just..." Ranboo trailed off.

"Do you remember mine?" He asked. Ranboo nodded. "Then...yeah. Yeah, I do remember your name." After more silence, Ranboo reached their hand out.

"I'm Ranboo." They took each other's hand.

"I'm Technoblade." He smiled. Then dropped each other's hand and stepped away from each other.

"I'm going to beat your ass." Techno smirked as he dropped to a starting stance.

"Ha!" Ranboo chucked, "you wish."

They both ran up to each other, and kept equal footing. due to their similar skill level, no one seemed to gain the upper hand on the outside. to them though, every inch of movement was a mini-win. Clashing weapons, Ranboo noticed Techno's shoes. 'Purple converse?'  They clashed weapons once more. 'Are their words on his shoe?' Another clash. 'Why does he write on his shoes?' "Why do you have smeared ink on your shoes?"

This caused Techno to meet Ranboo's eyes for a split second, which was enough time for him to be laying on the ground, with Ranboo standing above him, a pick to his throat. Technoblade hit his fist on the floor 3 times, and the pressure of the pickaxe holding his head instantly ceased. As he sat up, a hand was stretched out to him.

"Well look who lost?" Ranboo teased.

"Bummer." Techno smirked as he took Ranboo's hand and tugged him to the floor.

"Ugh! Dude!" They yelled before bursting into laughter. Techno caved and joined in. After 10 minutes or so—but what felt like hours—they finally calmed and silently laid beside one another on the floor of the training room. "Hey Tech-" Afinity stood in the doorway. "Oh shit- Um...Shadow you didn't-" Afinity was cut off by Koe raising one hand.