“It’s Pride Month, Techno.”
Technoblade, Emperor of the Antarctic Empire, harbinger of death, the man who successfully took over the world and almost refused to give it back, stares at his best friend, the other Emperor of the Antarctic Empire, the Angel of Death, the only reason he’s still alive, and very eloquently responds: “Heh?”
They’re standing in the bathroom together early morning, dancing around each other to get dressed. Techno was just about to put on his first jacket, and Phil’s just adjusting his binder into place so it doesn’t completely crush his ribs. There’s a light in his friend’s eyes that Techno didn’t see a minute ago, a twinkle that matches the emerald earring dangling from his feathery ear. Techno knows it’s June, thanks, but why is Phil bringing it up?
“It’s Pride Month, Techno. Do you know what that means?” Phil insists, and Techno tries to think of what his best friend is trying to say. Is he trying to say that the Antarctic Empire should become the Queer Empire for a month? Because, he means, between Phil being bi and transmasc, and half the hybrids living in the most inhospitable part of the world being some flavor of queer, and Techno himself being definitely aroace… he could make the case for it. Piss off other leaders of the world even more, he could deal with that. But he has to check that that’s what Phil means first.
“Phil, what do you mean by that?” he asks. His best friend just giggles to himself and turns away, throwing his turtleneck over his head. A thought flashes through Techno’s head, and horror quickly follows. “Phil. Phil, do you want us to conquer gay Earth. Phil. What.”
Of course, Phil doesn’t answer, just keeps giggling. He turns his back to Techno, the latter barely ducking in time to avoid the wing smack. Then Phil’s running, sprinting actually, at a speed Techno cannot hope to match at 5:00 am. Techno sighs, drags a hand down his face, glares at his glowering reflection in the mirror. Despite himself, a smile follows, and his reflection’s eyes soften. “You know what Phil? For you, the world, Phil.”
