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Techno laid in bed, attempting to fall back asleep. He could see the sky starting to brighten, throwing a blanket over his head. He groaned and sat up, deciding just to start his day. His gaze moved to his nightstand as he went through his mental checklist. He instinctively reached out to the collection of picture frames on his nightstand and picked one up.
In the handcrafted frame was Michael’s picture, causing Techno to frown and set it back down. He finally got up, heading downstairs to make breakfast. Phil had beaten him to it, leaving leftovers over the fire.
He peeked out his window towards the other's house, finding it darkened. With a sigh, he sat down and ate.
—
“Alright, no one's home, I can just relax and chill and I’m talking to myself… good job Tech.”
He sat down next to the fireplace with a thud, sorting through his chests. The items were haphazardly thrown into them and he made a mental note to reorder them.
“Here it is.”
The to-do list had made its way to the bottom of the pile. He flipped it open and added reorganizing to the list before he forgot. Grabbing his cape, he got up to go check on the dogs. He opened his door and stopped.
“Main Character? What are you doing- Why is Michael here?”
Ranboo looked at him nervously, “Can you take care of Michael?”
“Uh, I was actually going to-”
“Thank you so much!”
“Wait, but does Tubbo-”
Michael was abruptly shoved into his arms, the child cooing at him. He went to protest further but Ranboo had already begun to walk away.
“He- He has nukes- You know what, Michael? I’m just gonna go back to bed.”
The child giggled as Techno trudged back inside, closing the door behind him. He set him down on his bed and draped his cape over him. Michael giggled in response, burrowing further into the red fluff.
“You stay there. I have to find a way to avoid being bombed to death,” he mumbled.
Michael watched as he left, looking around. He saw a picture frame on the nightstand and reached for it. Pulling it to him, he tilted his head slightly.
It was a worn out picture of a group of people he didn’t know. Techno and Phil were there with a winged lady between them. There were also four other figures; a small blonde with a short brune and a tall brune with his arm wrapped around a pretty lady’s waist.
He looked up at Techno when he came back. Techno ignored him, muttering to himself as he looked around his room for something. Michael waited before grabbing a pillow and throwing it at him.
“Not now, I’m busy trying to not die, Tom- Michael.”
Michael held up the frame, pointing at it. Techno looked and took it from his hands. He sucked in a breath and set it to the side.
“That was my whole family, Michael. It’s uh, a bit different nowadays...”
—
Techno looked at the falling sun and frowned. Ranboo hasn’t picked Michael up yet, the boy cuddled into his cape. He sighed and laid down on the ground.
The chests were emptied, the contents sprawled across the floor. He’d attempted to start, but Michael would snap his attention away. With a groan he sat up and decided he’d shove the task onto Phil. A knock at the door made him get up, glancing at Michael.
“Yeah, now you show up. Main Character, I get the powers but your sensei isn’t a-”
He opened the door, finding it empty. A throat clearing made him look down.
“Government?”
Tubbo crossed his arms, “Technoblade.”
“Uh, Ranboo’s house is over there,” Techno leaned over him and pointed to his left, “This one’s mine and the one over there is Phil’s. Pretty common mistake.”
“No, I’m actually here for you.”
Techno nodded, “Okay, well I hid Carl so you can’t threaten him. Or Steve. Steve might just try to kill you, being a polar bear and you’re a ram... goat thing.”
Tubbo didn’t respond, his ear flicking as he stared at Techno. They stood in awkward silence, Techno shifting before clearing his throat and starting to close his door.
“I’m here for my son, Technoblade.”
“Oh. Oh yeah! Do you need me to follow you guys home? He’s in my cape right now and with the area, I kinda need it too.”
“That’s- That’s fine…” he grumbled, stepping to the side.
Techno grabbed Michael, bundling his cape tighter around him. He stepped out of the house and led the way. They walked in silence and Techno kept glancing back as Michael tunneled into his cape.
He stopped suddenly, “Uh, do you want to use the nether portals? So he doesn’t get too cold.”
“Yeah,” Tubbo mumbled, watching Techno change directions. He frowned, noticing the slight shiver he had, “Technoblade, are you cold?”
“This is basic Piglin 101, Government. We don’t regulate heat well and cold environments can be pretty bad for us. That’s why I made Michael his cape and crown.”
“Oh…”
They didn’t talk for the rest of the way, Techno letting out an audible sigh when they stepped through the portal. Michael woke up as well, squealing in delight as they traversed the bridges. Tubbo looked around and felt guilt building up in his stomach.
—
Tubbo opened the door to their home and stepped inside to tend to the fire. Techno followed, closing the door and setting Michael down. He started wiping the snow off his cape as the baby Piglin ran around. He disappeared upstairs and came back, giving a piece of paper to Techno.
“Oh, for me?” He knelt down and took it from him, “Thanks.”
Michael snorted and nodded furiously. Tubbo called for him upstairs and he waved goodbye before going to his room. Techno smiled and stood up, slinging his cape over his shoulders. Tubbo came down after a minute and escorted him out.
“Thank you, Technoblade. I mean it.”
He nodded, “Yeah, uh, not like I really had a choice, but anytime.”
They stood in silence, avoiding each other's gaze. Techno rocked on his feet, looking up at the stars. He cleared his throat and looked at Tubbo.
“Yeah, I’m just gonna- I’m just gonna go home now.”
“Promise me you won’t hurt them,” Tubbo said, opening the door further, “Ranboo and Michael.”
Techno stopped, “Of course I wouldn’t. I don’t mess with main characters. I’m his sensei, not the villain.”
“Yeah, well, you’re my villain and I don’t trust you. At all,” Tubbo said before glancing inside, “But, Boo and Michael trust you. And as horrible as you are, you do stand up for the people you care about.”
“Oh-”
They fell back into silence. Techno looked around the area, avoiding eye contact with Tubbo. He cleared his throat after a minute, looking back to him.
“So, uh, does this mean I’m able to see Michael or…”
“Yes, Techno, you can see Michael.”