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Philza always knew he had a power, even though most people don’t believe him when he says so. Emotion-based powers are common in his family, so it wasn’t really a surprise when his aunt, who can see a persons powers, told him he has a weak calming aura. So weak, in fact, that he is basically powerless. It doesn’t matter to him or his family though, after all only very few really have a notable power.
So Philza grows up as a normal citizen. A normal citizen who studies psychology and plans on working with people. Not that it’s really his dream job, but his family always told him he would be great for social work. In truth, Philza wants to do something small. Maybe open a cafe or something, but he knows that’s unrealistic. He needs to stay true to what he can do best, help people.
And psychology is interesting, it really is! It’s great to learn how the human mind reacts to different things and how those reactions can be influenced by small things. But the thing he learns the most about is the influence powers have on behaviour. That’s of course unproven, but there are multiple theories out there that Philza studies on the side. He spends multiple nights per week in the library reading up on different studies.
It’s actually one of those nights that his usual routine is broken. Philza is out even later than usual since he lost time while reading. At least he has no courses the next day and won’t have to get up early. Slurred curses make him freeze. Shit. He really doesn’t want to run into a drunk right now. A thud comes from the same direction. Philza sighs. Seems like he’ll have to check it out anyway. He carefully walks towards the alleyway the noise seems to come from, gripping the hidden knife he always carries with him tightly. His family would be appalled to know that sweet Philza knows how to handle a knife, but he isn’t stupid. He lives on his own, he needs to know how to defend himself.
The first thing Philza notices is the blood. More blood than is healthy for a single person to lose, in a puddle around a slumped body and smeared over the ground as if they dragged themself to the wall they’re leaning against. Philza curses and darts forward, hiding the knife away again. The other person is still breathing, slow and ragged but regularly. Unfocused red eyes, hidden behind a mask dart around the alleyway and Philza ignores the fact that he recognizes that get-up, that this is a villain who regularly blows up government-buildings.
So he reaches forward, carefully, only to dart back when a dagger is pointed at him. The other’s hands are shaking and the dagger melts back into blood within seconds. This is bad, so Philza crouches down and holds his hands up in a placating manner, aiming for a reassuring smile. With a deep breath he focuses his power on the person in front of him and they relax ever so slightly. Usually, his power is passive, but Philza is glad that he can focus it, especially in situations like these.
“Hey, mate. I’m gonna take a loot at your wound, okay?”
And as he inches forward, the other doesn’t react except keeping him in line of their vision, tracking every movement with their eyes. From the looks of it, they have been stabbed. Not bad enough to need stitches, but multiple times.
“I can’t treat that here, but my apartment is close-by. I live on my own, would you be willing to follow me there? I can help you better when I actually have things to help you with.”
Their eyes narrow in suspicion but Philza smiles again and they nod, letting Philza pull them to their feet and half carry, half guide them along. He’s grateful that the streets are empty and nobody sees them. He doesn’t want to deal with heroes right now. Once the door is locked behind them, he lays the other down on top of the couch that is thankfully already covered by a blanket. Now, in the light, he can see that the wounds are only bleeding sluggishly and Philza only needs to clean them and wrap them tightly in bandages. He also recognizes the mask the other is wearing. The skull of a boar, sign of Hephaestos and that would also explain the blood, based on their power.
Philza tries to clean the blood off of them as best as possible, but with Hephaestos passed out there is not much he can do, so instead he moves on to make an easy broth, something with a lot of iron for them to eat once they wake up. Something to hopefully help them recover before they leave. And so Philza waits, sitting in his armchair and watching the villain sleep on his couch, checking on their breathing regularly. He tries to read, but can’t focus on the words. So instead he tries his best not to stare.
It doesn’t take long for Hephaestos to wake up, the broth still simmering on the stove and Philza is by their side in a second, helping them sit up and handing them a glass of water. They drink it, then pause, eyeing him with must be suspicion.
“What am I doing here?”
Their voice is scratchy and deep and yeah, that’s fair. Philza tries his best to smile, but he’s nervous. There is a villain in his living-room and while they’re injured, Hephaestos has also never been caught in the year that they have been active. This is dangerous.
“Hi. You, uh, you got stabbed and I found you and brought you to my apartment. I fixed you up, it was luckily not too bad. Do you want food?”
Hephaestos nods and Philza flees to the kitchen, bringing back two bowls of broth. They take the bowl he hands them but then frown.
“Why do I trust you?”
Philza shrugs, but his smile is apologetic and he knows it. He doesn’t like manipulating people, even if it’s useful.
“I just put people at ease, I guess. I’m Philza, he/him.”
Hephaestos nods, then takes off their mask. Philza gasps but can’t look away because yeah, they’re younger than him. Not by much, two years at most, but they’re still young and oh, they just showed him their face. Hephaestos smiles ever so slightly.
“I’m Technoblade. They/them.”
“The news use he/him for Hephaestos, does that bother you?”
Techno only shakes their head.
“Nah, makes it harder to track me down. He/him is fine for Hephaestos.”
Philza nods, before his mind finally realizes that yes, he is casually talking to a villain who just showed him their face. Just told him their name. He blinks and stares at Techno, who has started eating.
“Why are you telling me this?”
They shrug.
“Like you said, it’s easy to trust you. Also, you took me in and left my mask. I have a feeling you won’t call the heroes on me. This is good, by the way.”
And how Techno says is, how he oh so casually talks about Philza’s power as if he isn’t manipulating their mind, how they actively acknowledge what he’s done, it makes Philza smile. They talk some more and Techno stays the night. Philza listens to them rant about society and notices that a lot of their views align. He listens and finds himself agreeing.
---
It doesn’t take long for Philza to drop out of university and move in with Techno. He has never been really interested in becoming a therapist, always believing in causing direct change, always wanting to influence society actively. To act before and not after. So Philza and Techno open a cafe instead, and Philza starts following Techno when they’re out.
The first time Hermes officially joins Hephaestos, Philza has been following Techno for almost a month. They have been training together and Philza has his own weapons and costume, even if he doesn’t use them, instead choosing to stay behind and watch Techno’s back. He’s crouching on top of a roof, gun in his hand and watching Techno fight a hero that has been bothering for quite a while, causing unnecessary property damage and endangering citizens. The problem is that she’s good at fighting, going toe to toe with Techno. They’re focused on the fight and don’t notice another person sneaking up from behind.
Philza is quick to react, landing the shot in the middle of the attackers thigh, downing them quickly. He hurries off the roof to join the fight for real, pulling his sword. It doesn’t go on for long after that and less than a day later Hermes’ name is out there, being talked about as Hephaestos’ partner, as someone to look out for. As someone dangerous. Philza stares at the news and feels his chest fill with warmth. He is being acknowledged, being respected. He can make a change.
Techno smiles at him and Philza smiles back. Two best friends. Two co-owners of a cafe. Two villains who fight together. Two halves of a whole.
“For you the world, Philza.”
And Philza only laughs at Techno’s words, but then he smiles and it’s the only thing that matters.
“To the gates of hell.”