Chapter Text
It was a cold, snowy night, that Techno had decided to break into the prison. Dream had managed to get a message through, that he was using the favor now. Techno had stalled for a couple of days, thinking of a way in. So, here he was, with 15 milk buckets in his backpack, dragging two cows onto the top of the prison. Fencing the cows, he drank the first milk bucket of many, and started to break the obsidian. If his math was correct, he’d be on top of the main cell, and, with a water bucket, would be able to lift Dream out. His breathing was short and jagged, hoping that the block he was breaking wouldn’t trigger a guard to magically appear. It didn’t, and he found himself right on top of a guard trigger. He broke it, slurping down his 4th milk bucket and feeling the mining fatigue wash away. One last obsidian, he reminded himself. He heard the block break, and felt the water slowly moving down.
“Hullo.” Techno said, holding his hand out to Dream. Dream was shaking, Techno noticed. He didn’t ask, and just swam up with Dream, keeping a hold of his hand. “Uhh, we’ll have to jump, unless you want to ride down some water.”
“I’ll jump. I’m good at estimating where to land.” Dream stated, immediately jumping after. Techno took a deep breath before following, landing smack dab in the water. His communicator was buzzing like a public discord server, however he ignored it.
“My home’s this way, let’s go.” Techno helped Dream up on a horse he’d left there, him situating himself on a horse of similar speed. He directed Dream where to go, hearing vague responses from the mostly silent man behind him. Ranboo wouldn’t be happy with him, Phil wouldn’t be too happy, but whatever. Techno had a responsibility, and seeing Dream like this only made him wonder what happened even more. Eventually, they arrived at the home, jumping over the fences. “No one else is here, so you can hide.” Dream just.. stood there. Like he was taking in everything. Techno didn’t want to push for details, he’d be relentlessly questioned by everyone, but he was a pretty good liar.
Two days after the break, Techno noticed Dream was gone. He ran around the commune, hoping that Dream wasn’t back in the prison. He didn’t know what happened, but the voices told him not to let Dream go back, and he agreed. Dream clearly had changed for the worse. He eventually gave up, until he saw Sam yelling at someone. Getting a closer look, he saw it was Dream, handcuffed and sitting down. Everything in Techno’s brain yelled to help. He gripped his sword tightly, slowly approaching Sam.
“Sam.” Techno growled, everything in his mind yelling to help Dream. Sam turned to Techno.
“Techno. You freed Dream. He’s a threat to the server.”
“You thought locking him away would help? Instead of, I don’t know, addressing the behavior and helping him realize how it might be wrong? From what I’ve heard from the minuscule details I’ve gotten, you left him in confinement without good food or many visitors, and after Tommy’s death, you put him in Solitary Confinement. No wonder he’d want out when that’s how you treated him.” The words slipped from his mouth, he didn’t know where the words came from. He heard himself speaking again. “Leave him alone, you’ve tortured him enough. He needs mental help, not being thrown in jail.” Techno felt his grip tightening on his sword.
“Are you sure you won’t let him free or bring him back to his manipulative self?”
“If I do, I give you full permission to kill me and get Dream some mental help.” He heard Sam walk away. Techno still was confused on where the words came from, but he didn’t mind.
“Why’d you do that? I revived Tommy, I’m a god. You don’t have to treat me like I’m weak.” Techno heard Dream say.
“Right now you don’t have gear. You might be a god, but without tools and armor, anyone can kill you.” He picked up Dream, noticing how light he was. “First priority is getting you food.” He heard protests from the masked man, but he continued. “You’re light as a feather.” He set Dream down, opening a chest and grabbing out some golden carrots.
“Why’d you help? Didn’t you hear? I’m a villain. I killed Tommy.” Techno felt a chill up his spine. His voice spoke before his mind got any decent thought.
“Nobody deserves to be trapped, alone, when they clearly need mental help. I can’t let anyone suffer like that.” He handed the carrots to Dream. “Besides, no one here tells me anything.” Dream quickly ate the carrots, Techno made a mental note to get more golden carrots.
The next day, Techno handed Dream a totem. They were going mining for diamonds, as Techno wanted to have a bonding experience.
“Hey, Techno.”
“What’s up?”
“You’re not forced to help me. Why all this? Didn’t Tommy tell you what I did during his exile?”
“Nah, I didn’t ask him. He was very confused about who was his friend or not. Figured I couldn’t trust what he told me cause he’d sometimes call you a friend then the next day say bad things about you.” Techno felt at peace. The only noises besides their voices was the mining of ores and occasional lava.
“Was it because Sam looked like he was going to execute me?” Techno almost dropped his pickaxe. He paused for a moment. It looked just like he would... like he would...
“I... guess? ‘M not sure...” Techno said, shaking himself back into reality.
“I guessed it was that.” The two of them continued in silence.
Two days later, Ranboo had returned.
“Techno?” Techno turned around, hiding the blue outfit he’d been sewing for Dream.
“Hullo Ranboo.” Techno hid his fear, knowing Ranboo would probably kill him if he saw Dream.
“I heard what happened with Sam.” Techno froze. Would Ranboo kill him? Would he kill Dream?
“You did..?”
“Yeah. Why are you protecting Dream?”
“I.. something in my brain told me to protect Dream when I saw the scene. It’d been telling me to protect Dream ever since I freed him, but it was quieter. Dream needs mental help, not prison.” Ranboo.. nodded?
“I wanted to know, cause you wouldn’t protect Dream without a good reason.” Techno sighed, going back to stitching the final piece of Dream’s attire. It was a small mask, on the top left. To show who it belonged to. Dream had been living in his prison attire, and Techno noticed how he avoided mirrors, and avoided looking down at his arms and general body. With the final stitch, everything was complete. Techno climbed the ladder to where Dream was, currently reading a book about the Greek Mythos.
“Hullo. Got something for you.” Techno said, holding the completed Antarctic Uniform in front of him. Dream sat up, immediately grabbing the clothes. Techno went down to give him privacy. When Dream came down the ladder, he looked like he was confident. Like he was happy.
“Thanks, Techno. Really, truly, thank you.” Techno smiled.
“I noticed how unhappy you were, and a change of clothes always helps me.”
“That’s cause you’re self-centered.” They both erupted into laughter. Not forced laughter, not laughter at someone else’s pain. Genuine laughter.