au where Techno leaves home and is so excited to join this big fighting tournament, and he's very good at it! he's climbing the ranks quickly and honing his skills even faster
the only problem is that he doesn't seem to have any friends
which shouldn't really be a problem, he's never needed too many friends aside from his family before. it would just be nice if someone even *pretended* to like him here
the other fighters usually keep their distance but when they don't they're... mean. cruel.
his bed has been broken since the first day he got there, rooms go quiet when he walks into them. every look thrown his way is one of either contempt or fear. after a week the upset had spread to the kitchens and what were once full portions have been halved or less
and he could tell his family. they write to him constantly and see almost all his fights. it just stings. he's meant to be strong and capable and a role model to his brothers.
so the fact that he can even make kind conversation with the other competitors... it's a bit sad
he ignores the jeers. he beats his opponents. he gives a show to the onlookers and his family. he's fine.
it doesn't matter if he's not smiled or laughed in months. it doesn't matter if snide comments follow him wherever he goes.
his new scars don't matter. the bags under his eyes don't matter. the hollow feeling in his gut doesn't matter.
it doesn't even matter that his family's smiles drop when they see him after his big win.
(basically flash from happy silly excited to be there little guy techno to sad lonely upset scarred techno whose family hardly recognizes him)
