Chapter Text
Tommy stared out into the ocean, the waves crashing against the sandy beach, he can almost feel the water in his lungs again as he stares at the dark abyss.
He keeps waking up under the waves. Something he found odd and worrying when he distinctly remembers falling asleep in his tent.
It's probably one of the most terrifying experiences in his life, waking up to the crushing pressure of the ocean above him, suddenly so aware of his frail mortality.
He's been struggling to sleep since.
That's why he's sat on the beach at midnight, the moon high in the sky casting a silvery light onto the water, watching the push and pull of the tide in the dim light.
He hopes Dream will visit him sooner today. Ever since the disaster of his failed beach party he's felt himself becoming more dependent on Dream and the company he brings.
He'd hate himself for it, if he had the energy to.
It's pathetic really, but after many hours as the sun finally begins to rise, peeking over the tree line to his left, he sits up a little straighter and begins to wait for any sign of Dream on the horizon.
It's midday, the sun at its peak in the sky, when Tommy finally realises Dream won't be visiting any time soon.
The realisation hits Tommy like a wave and he sighs sadly before slowly standing up. Joints crack obnoxiously as they move for the first time in hours as Tommy turns away from the ocean and stares at the makeshift campsite he had.
Loneliness begins to claw at his chest and Tommy sighs when he realises what he's done. Of course no one has visited him, he broke the stupid bridge!
Filled with new purpose Tommy sets out to get materials to begin reinforcing the bridge. He mines cobblestone and chops down trees for some makeshift signs.
Once he feels like he's prepared enough, he heads towards his portal but stops when he sees someone already coming through.
Joy sparks in his chest, momentarily warding away the loneliness as Ranboo steps through the portal.
His half Enderman, half whatever friend waves and smiles when he spots Tommy.
"Tommy! Hey!"
"Hello Ranboo," Tommy greets, "How are you?"
"I'm good, I'm good, I was just getting Ghast Tears in the Nether and thought i should stop by to say hello,"
"Oh, well, hello," Tommy says.
There's a pause and the silence is almost unbearable for Tommy.
"So how are things in L'manburg?" He asks. Gods he just loves to hurt himself like this huh.
"It's pretty good," Ranboo starts as they begin walking. Tommy isn't sure where but they're moving at least. "The walls are completely gone now,"
"And how's Tubbo?"
"He's good, he's helping Sam with a guardian farm right now and-"
Tommy completely blanks Ranboo and his rambling as he feels the grass beneath his feet turn to sand. Slowly, he looks up to find the decorations for his beach party almost taunting him.
"Why didn't you come to my party?" Tommy interrupts. "I sent you an invite and everything."
"Party? What party? Invite?" Ranboo stutters. Tommy would almost believe his surprise was real if Dream hadn't already told him everyone had gotten an invite.
"Yeah, why didn't you come?"
"I didn't get an invite Tommy,"
"Well don't lie to me, Dream told me Ghostbur gave everyone invites and no one showed up,"
"Tommy… there weren't any invites."
…
Tommy scoffed. "Whatever, let's just drop it for now,"
~༒~
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Phil asked, glancing back over his shoulder at his son.
"Are you seriously doubtin' me Phil? I'm the human GPS, remember?" The pig hybrid scoffed.
"Right, how could I forget?" Phil laughs sarcastically but let's Techno take the lead anyway.
They lapsed into comfortable silence after that as Techno mentally mapped their route in his head. It was getting dark as the sun was slowly setting to their right but it wasn't dark enough that Techno could use the stars to pinpoint their exact location.
He'd only visited Tommy's place of exile once and it hadn't really gone well- for Tommy mostly.
Techno could only hope that his and Phil's plan to rescue Tommy wouldn't be derailed by Tommy trying to fight them or something dumb like that.
But then again, this was TommyInnit they were talking about…
Maybe their plan to "rescue" Tommy was even less thought out than he originally thought.
Technoblade didn't have any more time to think about it as he could finally see Tommys camp in the distance and without a word, Phil stretched his huge feathered wings and took off.
Techno grumbled as he started running to try and keep up. Phil hadn't said much about it but the pig hybrid could tell he was worried about his youngest son - if the fact he flew off and ditched Techno had anything to say.
By the time Techno reached the camp, Phil and Tommy are already in conversation and Tommy huffs in outrage when he spots the piglin approaching.
"Awww why'd you have to bring that bastard with you?"
"Tommy, listen, we're only trying to help, ok?"
"No! I don't want help from you! You couldn't even be bothered to come to my party and now you wanna act like you care about me?!" Tommy screams at Phil.
"Party? What party?" Phil asks, just as confused as he looks.
Tommys sighs in annoyance "don't lie to me man, Dream told me everyone got invites and not even my own dad bothered to turn up,"
There's a moment of silent contemplation as Phil seems to put two and two together.
"Tommy, Dream's been lying to you. I've told you before that he was no good,"
"Now, why would you say that Phil?"
Techno nearly jumps when he hears the American accent of Dream behind him. The masked man somehow appearing out of nowhere.
Out of the corner of his eye Techno sees Tommy make a move to run towards Dream but the pig hybrid turns and nails Tommy to the spot with a single glare.
They really shouldn't have waited this long to rescue Tommy. In fact, Techno's not sure why they didn't just take him to the Antarctic Empire as soon as he got exiled.
"Sorry Dream but Tommy is now under the protection of the Antarctic Empire," Phil says, voice hardened and hand resting menacingly on the sword at his hip.
"Antarctic Empire? You do realise whatever 'empire' you start in my domain has no power unless I recognise it- right?"
"We may be in your realm Dream, but we're not the kind of people that take kindly to being pushed around," Phil spat at the masked man, an odd moment of serious distaste for the usually kind and easy going man.
"We'll be leaving now - with Tommy - and if you want to try and stop us, Technoblade will be happy to send you back to your friends in a casket,"
The aforementioned pig hybrid seemed to stand a little taller, his grip on his own sword visibly tightening. Technoblade had never been afraid of Dream, sure the masked nuisance might actually be a god whereas Techno was only "referred to" as one- but Techno had knocked Dream on his ass enough times to know that while he might be a god, he was also young and unstable…
...Techno would even say predictable when it came to combat.
Dream said nothing but Tommy could imagine the scowl behind his mask. The green bastard no doubt planning how to get back at them for this and make them wish they'd never crossed him in the first place.
Tommy would admit he was terrified of Dream in that moment. The masked man watched silently as Phil grabbed Tommy by the wrist and started dragging him towards their home.
Techno hangs back, keeping an eye on Dream and making sure Phil is able to get away with Tommy.
Neither of them speak, stuck in a standstill, neither of them wanting to give the other any ground. Eventually, Dream moves first, heading towards the Nether portal behind him.
Techno stays and watches as Dream steps through the shimmering purple portal, watches as he disappears from sight and watched as Dream lifts his mask slightly to wink at Techno.
If Techno's pointed ears are a little red for a few moments after, he'd blame it on the cold.
~༒~
Tommy stared at the fire raging in the hearth in front of him, clinging onto the hot cup of tea Phil had made him for dear life. It had been nearly a month since Tommy had "joined" the Antarctic Empire and he couldn't be happier to have his family again.
It had been a rough start, sure, what with all of Dream's mind games and manipulation but eventually Phil and Techno had been able to help Tommy realise that Dream was never his friend and he was only trying to control him.
"Alright boys, I'm heading out now so stay safe!" Phil called out from downstairs. "Try not to kill each other while I'm gone,"
The sound of the door closing behind him echoed through the house and Tommy sighed. These past few days had almost been reminiscent of the old days. Before the Dream SMP.
Back when it was just Tommy, Wilbur and Techno. The three of them causing general chaos and learning everything they could from Phil before they went off on their own adventures.
Tommy missed those days.
Tommy liked being able to spend time with his brother again, even if they had their disagreements about L'Manburg and governments as a whole, he missed having his brother around.
Tommy heard a small sigh to his right and turned to see Techno now sitting on the other end of the couch. Cup of tea in one hand and book in the other. It was a weirdly domestic setting to see The Blade in. Crown and cape off, weapons away. Just in an oversized sweater, glasses resting on his scarred nose and long pink hair tied into a messy bun.
Tommy realises he's been staring when Techno looks up and meets his gaze. There's a moment of awkward silence before Techno seems to relent.
"You did well today Tommy,"
The younger smiles widely, welling with pride. Techno had started training Tommy in combat recently, in between trips to the Nether to get him his own set of Netherite armour; and today had been a particularly gruelling session.
Tommy had been knocked on his ass countless times as Techno refused to go easy on him. But each time he'd managed to last longer and get up faster.
As much as he complained about it, Tommy was glad Techno was taking the time to teach him how to fight. What with him being on his last life and all.
Tommy shook himself from his thoughts and thanked Techno before grabbing a book of his own from the piglins extensive library.
The younger would hate to admit it aloud, but Techno had managed to get Tommy hooked on Greek mythology. The older reading him the entire story of Theseus while he was having a panic attack and since then Tommy has been more interested than he would like to admit in Greek myths.
The atmosphere was so quiet and homely and relaxing that after reading the first few pages of his book about some lady called Pandora and her box, Tommy had fallen asleep.
Techno glanced up from his own book when he heard a faint snore and smiled fondly when he saw his younger brother fast asleep.
As quietly as he could, Techno got up from the couch and took the book from Tommys hands before placing a blanket over him.
The pig hybrid smiled when Tommy subconsciously snuggled in closer to the blanket as Techno left him alone with the dying embers of the fire.
It was probably really late but Techno had always been a night owl and didn't really feel tired yet. He kept feeling a slight tug at his subconscious, trying to get him to leave his house but he didn't wanna put all of his armour on again just to wander the frozen wasteland around his house. He was dead set for ignoring it until one of the voices broke through. This one was louder than the others all chanting "E".
Dream is waiting for you outside.
Well that was an ominous message, he mused as he started the process of donning his heavy Netherite armour.
It was pitch black when Techno stepped outside, dressed in his full Antarctic Empire uniform with his Netherite armour, Rocket Launcher strapped to his back and the infamous Orphan Obliterator in his hand. It doesn't escape his notice how the frozen fields around his house are empty when usually there's a horde of monsters surrounding it at this time.
Techno blinks and suddenly Dream is there, about 50 feet away from his house and looking as threatening and mysterious as ever.
"What do you want, Dream?" Techno asks, going straight to the point.
The young gods body language is unreadable and the mask that covers his face is still the haunting and unchanged smiley face, Techno couldn't get a single read off Dream even if he tried.
"Hey Techno, how are you?" Dream asked, voice unnervingly cheerful.
"Oh I'm pretty good," Techno answers sceptically. "I was just about to go to sleep, actually, but this weird guy turned up at my doorstep,"
Dream laughs a little at Techno's comment but doesn't say anything else.
"What do you want, Dream?" Techno reiterates, patience growing thin.
The masked man sighs in exaggeration. "Straight to the point then?"
"If you please."
"You still have Tommy under your 'protection' I presume?" Dream asks, shifting to fold his arms over his chest.
"Yes." Techno answers hesitantly.
"Well, I don't really like that, we were getting along so well before you came along-"
"You manipulatin' him, sure," Techno interrupts.
"-So I got to thinking. Either you can hand over Tommy to me," Dream continues unperturbed. "Or I kill you, burn down your house and take him with me anyway,"
Techno wasn't bothered by Dreams threat of violence, already expecting it, really. The voices grew louder and his blood started to sing with new found energy.
"Well Dream, you see, I don't take too kindly to being threatened- especially on my own land."
"This is my realm." Dream growls threateningly.
"The bottom line is, Dream, I'm not giving you Tommy and you're not gonna take him either. Because not only have you threatened and manipulated him but you've hurt him," Technoblade paused.
"And I will do anything to protect my family."
The Blood God barely registered Dreams disappointed sigh before he felt the reverberations down his arm as he blocked Dreams axe with his sword. The attack was lightning fast and powerful enough Technoblade grit his teeth, the only reason he was able to block it being because he expected it.
Technoblade shoved Dream off, making him stumble slightly before placing a kick to his chest that sent him reeling. The voices were deafeningly loud now, after months of suppressing them, the promise of blood sent the wild.
Blood For The Blood God.
Dream recovered in record time and started running at Technoblade again, axe held tightly in both hands - Technoblade only managed to just dodge out of the way as Dream aimed a strike at his ribs.
Technoblade lifted his sword and tried to strike Dreams head only for his blade to meet the handle of Dreams axe. Having remembered Dream doing this before he loosens his grip on his sword as Dream hooks the curve of his axe around the blade and sends it flying.
Dream wastes no time trying to land a blow on Technoblade as he starts advancing on the now weaponless pig hybrid who can only try and dodge his attacks.
Years of agility training kick in as Technoblade digs his heeled boots into the snow and backflips, kicking up snow into Dreams face, making him stop his advance, and allowing him enough time to run for his sword.
He manages to just dodge a crossbow bolt fired by Dream as he picks up the Orphan Obliterator, adrenaline is hammering through his veins and idly he can feel his tusks growing larger and ears becoming more pig like, his eyes narrow and suddenly he can see into every shadow.
Technoblade snarls, a feral sound that would send lesser men running for the hills. But Dream is no lesser man and instead pulls out his axe again and stands his ground.
The Blood God sprints at Dream, sword held high as he feigns an overhead strike before dropping to his knees at the last moment and manages to cut Dream on his thigh.
First Blood the voices begin to chant.
Dream stumbles as he continues to run past Technoblade before turning and staring at the piglin. Technoblade stands and twirls his sword in his hand expertly.
"I don't know what the hell you want with my brother, but im not letting you anywhere near him ever again,"
"Oh come on Techno, you of all people should know how annoying he is," Dream huffs like a petulant child and takes a step to his left. Technoblade steps to his left in turn and before he knows it they're circling each other.
"He might be annoying but he's still my brother, my family. Nothing you do will change that Dream,"
The masked man just sighs in disappointment and they're both running at each other again. Their weapons clash in a flurry of metal as they trade blow for blow, never quite managing to hit the other one. Technoblade can feel himself beginning to tire but he refuses to give Dream any ground.
His victory becomes imminent the minute Dream reels back for a particularly hard blow, ment to send Technoblade reeling but instead the pig hybrid side steps him and when Dreams axe meets nothing but open air, he himself goes staggering. Giving him no time to find his footing, Technoblade sends Dream a powerful roundhouse kick that sends him to the floor completely.
Technoblade is on him in an instant, kicking his Netherite axe through the snow and far out of reach. He kneels on Dream's chest, right on his lungs to keep him out of breath and holds his sword to the masked man's throat.
"If you ever come near anyone in my family ever again," Technoblade leans down to whisper menacingly in Dreams ear, pushing the sword harder against Dreams throat for emphasis, "i won't hesitate to end you."
With one last kick to Dreams' side, Technoblade walked off, leaving the masked man laying in the snow.
Dream coughs violently as the pressure on his lungs lifts and allows him to breathe properly again. His cheeks still burned red from when Techno had leaned dangerously close to him, so close he could smell the woodsmoke and pine forest on his clothes.
But all thoughts of a different ending to their encounter fly out the window when he fully realises what had happened.
The ground beneath him trembled as Dream filled with rage.
This wasn't how this was supposed to end.
The last thing Techno remembers is a blinding pain at the back of his skull before he falls to the floor.
~༒~
Technoblade has never been scared of Dream, not really. He has a healthy amount of respect for the young gods skill and commitment, but he's never feared him.
That's slowly beginning to change as Techno stares up at Dream. The masked man towering over him.
Techno is kneeling in the middle of an obsidian room, thick metal chains around his wrists keeping him exposed and vulnerable.
He hates it.
He's been left alone for hours, maybe even days, there's no windows in his cell and he's been left alone for so long, time has started to blur together.
He hates the silence. He's completely ruined his fingernails with a lack of anything else to do, his once perfectly manicured claws now picked apart and ruined.
He Hates It.
"Hey Technoblade," Dream mocks as he crouched down in front of him, out of reach so that Techno can't do any damage.
"Where am I?" Techno snarls.
"In the prison I commissioned Sam to build. Inescapable, I might add," Dream boasts.
"Sounds like a challenge."
Dream laughs, almost… fondly at that. "Gods, only you would think that Tech." He leans forward slightly and caresses Techno's cheek, moving the hair away from his face that had been freed from his bun.
Technoblade snarls warning and shakes Dreams hand away.
"Where's Tommy?"
"He's safe," Dream says, looking weirdly dejected that Techno denied his 'affection'.
"Where the hell is he?" Techno asks again, patience wearing so very thin at Dreams insidious mind games.
"He's still back at your dumb retirement home," Dream relents and sighs tiredly before standing up. "Because you made me realise Techno, that all I need to do to keep Tommy in line, is to threaten his family."
Techno's stomach flips and his eyes widen.
"Loyalty is a family trait, is it not?"
"Oh, so I'm your leverage now? You seriously think you can keep me in here?!" Techno yells, pure rage powering a sudden outbursts as he pulls against his chains, they give a horrendous clang as they are pulled taught.
"Oh Tech," Dream chides softly as he heads towards the cell door, the nickname making Techno feel sick. "I know I can keep you in here."
Dream moves the mask just slightly again to wink at Techno before closing the door behind him and condemning The Blood God to an eternity of darkness and solitude.