Chapter Text
Ranboo loved Techno's garden. Everything was organized in neat rows, labeled, and there were even little paths through the more flowered areas. All three members of the household had helped set things up but Techno spent the most time working on it day to day. Ranboo often joined him, he spent most of his days after school at Techno's house. Steve dozed under the shade of a nearby tree and Techno carefully weeded around his tomato plants.
"What do you think, Ranboo?" Techno sat back and dusted off his hands. "About veggies for next year, I mean."
Ranboo slipped a loose piece of lettuce into Panda's small enclosure inside of the garden (a little hutch and fenced in area marked "Terrible Baby Jail" that she was allowed to stay in while Techno worked outdoors). He considered their options. "We could always try the three sisters method I read about the other week. Corn, squash, and beans."
Techno hummed and also tossed some greens into Panda's pen. She thumped at him, likely demanding her release from her (entirely deserved) prison. Techno scoffed and reached in to gently scratch between her ears. "Spoiled brat. I'm tryin' to reward you for good behavior." He pulled away, ignored her follow-up thump to demand more pets, and looked to Ranboo. "That sounds good. We'll do some shoppin' this weekend after my shift at the shelter to pick out the seeds."
Ranboo perked up at the idea of going on errands with his favorite person, then paused. "Oh. I mean. That sounds good. But I realized, I'm graduating this summer. In a month, actually."
Techno laughed and went back to weeding. "Yeah, I remember. You sent me an invitation to the party your moms are throwin'. Studyin' for finals make you forget?"
"No, no! Just. I won't be in high school anymore. So I won't be eligible for the mentorship program. Or need tutoring. So there won't really be a reason for me to come over?" If Ranboo was honest, they rarely needed to study as much anymore anyway. He was passing all of his classes with flying colors. Techno being his mentor had been basically a formality, an excuse for him to keep visiting, to keep seeing this garden, to be invited over for meals and cookouts.
Techno went quiet. He stood up again, brushed his hands off on his pants, and walked closer to Ranboo. "Hey, uh. Listen. Do not tell anyone I said this because I'll deny it to my dyin' day and no one will believe I said it. But...I like havin' you around. You'll always have a place here. I know Phil and Kristin love havin' you over. And it's nice to get some actual help in the garden for once, Tommy and Wilbur are worse than useless."
Ranboo chuckled at this and leaned in when Techno wrapped a heavy arm around his shoulders. "They are unbelievably terrible at all things plants-related."
"They're the worst! So you gotta keep comin' over. If you want to, or whatever. I ahhh, I don't really care what you do. You're an adult. But you'll always be my favorite student, so long as you keep wantin' me to be your cool sensei."
Ranboo smiled wider and gave Techno a hug. "Thanks, man."
"Don't mention it. Literally, don't. This conversation never happened."
"Of course, of course...one question, though?"
Techno pulled away and turned back to the garden. "Go ahead."
"Techno..." Ranboo bit back a grin and did his best to sound genuinely confused, "When have you ever been cool?"
"Heh?!" Techno swung back around to look at him in horror and betrayal. "I can't believe what I'm hearin'!"
"Is it because your ears are going? Because you're getting old? Like Phil?"
"That is it. I changed my mind, you are banned forever. Here I am, bein' open and vulnerable and you stab me in the back!"
"Mmhmm mmhmm mmhmm, see, you just told me you liked my company so now you're stuck with me!'
"This is terrible. Just terrible. Worst mistake I ever made. I've been bamboozled!
Ranboo snickered and settled back into their usual dynamic, feeling more secure than ever to call this place his second home.