Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Technoblade found out his son was an enderman hybrid. He didn’t care, he still loved the boy the same, but he knew it would be a problem. The townspeople hated hybrids, they killed them with their weakness, and for Ranboo, he knew they would drown him. Technoblade tried to hide Ranboo with the best of his abilities, he knew he couldn’t try to convince the town, his father tried to do that with his late brother. He was executed.

He couldn’t let that happen to his son, never in a million years. His son was the light of his life, the only person keeping him sane. He can’t lose him, he won’t lose him. Technoblade was watching him play in the backyard from the patio, he smiled at the small boy as he picked up grass blocks and ran around with it. The older chuckled and shook his head, he went back to reading his book.

“Papa! Papa!” The small boy called, Technoblade sighed and looked over at his son. “Come here! Please I wanna show you something!” The young boy spoke excitedly, Technoblade smiled, he walked over to his son, waiting for him to show him what he wanted to show. Ranboo squinted, obviously trying to focus on something. Suddenly he disappeared, only leaving purple particles behind. Technoblade’s eyes widened with panic. “BOO!”

Technoblade flinched, then looked behind him to see his son. He bent down and hugged the boy tightly. Ranboo looked confused, but still happily hugged him back. “Don’t do that outside.” Technoblade stated in a stern voice, Ranboo frowned, and was about to ask why until he was carried inside. Technoblade slammed the door shut behind him and put Ranboo down. He looked into the boy’s eyes, he was confused and frightened.

“Never do that outside.” Technoblade ordered, Ranboo nodded, still very confused. “Promise me that you won’t.” He stated. Ranboo frowned slightly, “I promise papa..” He spoke, barely a whisper.

…

It had been a couple days since that incident, Ranboo was living a happy life inside with his father. Technoblade heard a knock on the door, he turned his head towards it and nervously walks to answer it. He had become more paranoid lately, mainly because Ranboo had been wanting to go outside more and more lately, and he couldn’t help Ranboo hide. He gulped as he opened the door. He saw a letter by the door, he picked it up and opened it.

He read what it said, panic spread through him as he looked at what he had to go to. A town meeting. He was scared, mainly because he would have to leave Ranboo alone and unsupervised. He looked at the date, it was tomorrow. He bit the inside of his cheek as he thought about it. It was mandatory to go to town meetings, he had no choice in this matter. He crumbled up the paper and tossed it aside before going back inside.

“Hey Ranboo?” Technoblade called, Ranboo quickly stumbled down the stairs. “I’m going to be out tomorrow, you’ll be okay right?” He asked, the boy nodded, then went back upstairs to play with his toys. Technoblade sighed, he should get some rest for tomorrow. He walked upstairs, glancing into Ranboo’s room. “Hey bud? It’s time for bed.” He spoke, Ranboo looked up and nodded. The younger quickly put his toys away and hopped onto his bed.

Technoblade entered the room, he sat on the end of his bed and gave the boy a smile. “Papa? Where are you going tomorrow?” Ranboo asked as he fiddled with the blanket in his hand. “A town meeting bud, it’s going to be a couple hours, just don’t go outside while I’m gone” Technoblade spoke, he patted the smaller’s head. “I know the rules papa” Ranboo giggled.

Ranboo got under the covers, “Goodnight papa” Ranboo mumbled as he snuggled into the pillow. Technoblade got up and walked towards the door, he smiled softly at Ranboo before turning the light out. “Night bud” He spoke before closing the door behind him. He walked towards his room, he closed his door behind him and fell onto his bed, letting out a long, exaggerated sigh. He scooted into a more comfortable position before falling asleep.

…

Technoblade woke up early, he was making breakfast for himself and Ranboo. Once he was done he ate serving, then washed the dish when he was done. He put some on a plate for Ranboo, quickly writing a note for him and putting it by the plate. He made sure he was ready to leave before heading out the door. He looked into the house, then closed the door.

He saw some other townspeople going to the town hall. He was nervous, they usually didn’t have town meetings unless something very serious happened. He entered the building nervously and sat in his seat. The mayor talked about some changes in the town and some other things he didn’t pay attention to. He rested his head on his hand, bored out of his mind as he listened to the mayor ramble. Then he heard something that made him panic.

“Can uh.. Mr. Blade step forward?” The mayor spoke in a deep southern accent. Technoblade gulped as he stood up. He walked forward so that he was in the middle of the building. “Hello Mr. Blade, we have uh.. some reports of suspicious behavior. Tell me, Mr. Blade, do you have a son?” The mayor asked. Technoblade hesitantly nodded. “Alright..”

“Is he a hybrid of some sorts?” The mayor asked, Technoblade’s eyes widened, he looked around nervously, then started to shake his head. “Your neighbors say otherwise. Now look Mr. Blade, I get you want to protect your child, we all do, and that’s why we think it’s best we make some deal of sorts.” The man spoke, Technoblade’s eyes lit up with hope, but soon that hope died.

“You know hiding a hybrid is punishable here by death. Now, I’ll give you a choice.” The mayor stated. “Either your son dies, and we spare your life, or you die, and we spare your life.” The man explained, Technoblade felt tears well up in his eyes. “Come again?” He mumbled with a shaky voice. “Your life or your son’s Mr. Blade.” The mayor stated. Technoblade felt tears run down his cheeks, he couldn’t choose between that.

“How much time do I have to choose?” Technoblade asked, he had a plan, he could only hope he didn’t have to decide now. “Three days Mr. Blade, you have three days.” The other spoke. Technoblade nodded, and with that, the meeting ended. Technoblade quickly ran back to his house. He ignored Ranboo who was eating and ran upstairs. He grabbed a bag and started to pack essentials.

Ranboo got off of the chair he was sitting at and walked upstairs. He stared at his father frantically shoving stuff into a bag. “Papa..?” Ranboo mumbled, Technoblade shot his head towards him. He got up and walked over to him, “Ranboo go pack some of your stuff. We’re leaving.” Technoblade commanded. “B-but why..?” Ranboo mumbled. “Go pack your stuff. Now. I’m not going to repeat myself again.” Technoblade snarled.

That scared Ranboo, usually his father didn’t seem so serious, when they went out on a trip he would tell him too. Ranboo walked to his room and started packing some clothes, he tried to hold back tears as he did so. Once he was done he picked up his favorite toy and walked downstairs. He saw Technoblade stuffing food into a bag. Technoblade walked over to Ranboo and grabbed his hand, practically dragged Ranboo out the back door.

“Papa..? Where are we going?” Ranboo asked as he was helped over the fence. He watched his father hop over the fence. If Technoblade was being honest, he had no idea. He was just going to get out of there as fast as possible. “I don’t know, but we can’t stay there anymore.” Technoblade spoke, dragging Ranboo along. Ranboo tried to pull himself away from his father, his wrist was starting to hurt from how hard it was being squeezed.

Ranboo felt tears fall his cheeks, burning his skin. He was mainly crying because of the pain his father didn’t realize he was causing, but it was also because he didn’t want to leave. He liked living there, even though the kids wouldn’t play with him, and he had to hide inside all the time. He still had good memories with his dad. “P-papa.. you’re hurting my wrist..” Ranboo mumbled in a quiet sob.

Technoblade stopped walking, realizing how tight of a grip he had on Ranboo’s wrist. He let go of the smaller’s wrist and turned towards him. He gave him an apologetic look as he kneeled. “Hey.. buddy, it’ll be oka-“ Technoblade began to comfort, but was interrupted by Ranboo hugging him. He wrapped his arms around the younger as the boy cried into his chest. He rubbed his back, “It’s okay.. We’ll be okay bud..” Technoblade reassured. “It hurts papa..” Ranboo cried.

“I know buddy.. here.. let’s go to uncle Philza’s house for a little bit. We’re going to figure this out, okay..?” Technoblade spoke, he pulled away from Ranboo a bit. Ranboo nodded, sniffling as he did. “Papa.. why are we leaving?” He asked, Technoblade gave him a solemn look. “Because bad people want to hurt you and I.” The older stated.

He stood up and held out his hand for Ranboo, Ranboo took it and they continued to walk. They walked for a while before they came across a river. He picked Ranboo up before stepping in the river. Ranboo was pressed up against him as he stared down at the water with fear. Water splashed onto his legs which made him cry out in pain. Technoblade reassured him while crossing the river.

“We’re almost at Uncle Philza’s house, we can treat your burns there, alright?” Technoblade spoke as he stepped onto the other side. Ranboo nodded, tears still in his eyes. “It might be a day or two though Ranboo.. you’ll be okay until then, right bud?” He asked, Ranboo, again, nodded. Technoblade walked through the forest, though eventually they had to stop to eat.

“Papa, can I have an apple?” Ranboo asked, Technoblade nodded. He handed the boy an apple and he ate it quickly. “You must have been hungry, huh?” Technoblade chuckled, the smaller nodded. “Let me check your burns, I want to see if you’ll be alright” Technoblade spoke, the younger put his feet up as he ate his apple. Technoblade looked at his scarred, rough feet. He really needed to get him shoes, huh?

He sighed before looking at the burns, nothing seemed too bad, they seemed to be first degree burns. “I think you’ll be fine for now bud.. we can figure it out once we get to Uncle Philza’s house.” The older spoke. He grabbed a carrot and ate it, waiting for Ranboo to finish his apple before they left again. He picked Ranboo up before grabbing their bags and leaving.

…

They traveled for a good 6 hours before it became night, Technoblade laid out his blanket so they had something soft to lay on. He laid down with Ranboo, the younger cuddle up against his father. Technoblade smiled softly, he looked up at the stars in the sink. He sighed, a bit disappointed he had to leave his home, he had lived there for most of his life, but it was for Ranboo. He couldn’t let Ranboo die, or go without a father.

He was about to drift off asleep before Ranboo asked this. “Papa? Am.. I different..?” Ranboo spoke in a soft voice. The older looked down at his son. “Everyone is different buddy, so yes, of course you’re different.” Technoblade answered, but Ranboo shook his head. “No papa, I didn’t mean that.. I know I’m different but.. I mean, you don’t get hurt in water.. and- you don’t teleport.” Ranboo spoke.

“Y-you tried to hide me for a reason, I know it.. is it because I of that stuff? Did they want to hurt me because of that?” Ranboo continued, he stared up at his father with teary eyes. Technoblade panicked, he looked around nervously but sighed. “Y.. yes.. but different isn’t bad. They just think it is, and that’s why I hid you, I didn’t want you hurt bud..” Technoblade explained, Ranboo sniffled, then nodded. “okay..” He spoke silently.

He hugged his father tightly, he felt him hug him back. “I love you papa” Ranboo mumbled. “I love you too bud” Technoblade replied, petting the younger’s hair. “Night papa” Ranboo spoke before he fell asleep. “Goodnight buddy” Technoblade whispered before letting himself fall asleep.

Chapter Text

Technoblade got up early and started to make some food for Ranboo. He hummed softly as he cooked potatoes over a fire. It wasn’t the best food, nor was it the most flavorful, but it would work. He watched to potatoes cook, and eventually they were done. He took them off the fire, then looked over at his son. “Hey, bud.. wake up, it’s time to eat.” He spoke as he placed the pan he had down.

Ranboo groaned as he forced himself to wake up, Technoblade chuckled softly at his son’s dramatic awakening. “Come eat” The older spoke. He and the younger ate their food quickly before packing up. They started to walk again, Ranboo’s feet weren’t much healed, but that was okay, when they got to Philza’s house they could treat the burns.

…

They had been walking for some time, eventually Technoblade gave in and carried Ranboo there. Despite being just an ordinary guy who barely exercised, he was surprisingly strong. He assumed it was from having to carry firewood to the house. They had been walking for most of the day, but soon they got to Philza’s house. The older put Ranboo down and knocked on the door.

“Philza please let us in, we’re tired, we’ve been walking all day.” Technoblade spoke, annoyance traced his voice as he leaned against the door. Philza opened the door and the pinket fell inside the older’s house. “Shit- mate, why’d you come to visit? You could have at least told me!” Philza spoke as he helped Technoblade up. Technoblade only chuckled nervously, he stood up, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked around.

“We were.. maybe going to die and we didn’t have anywhere else to go..” The pinket mumbled. Philza almost immediately understood, he welcomed them in, got Ranboo a snack and then sat Technoblade down to talk. “Technoblade. What the hell have you gotten yourself into, mate?” Philza asked with a slight glare. “I didn’t do anything! They found out Ranboo was an enderman hybrid!” Technoblade defended himself.

“Did you not try to hide hi-“ Philza asked, though was interrupted. “Of course I tried to hide him! I’m not stupid, unlike my father! I tried my best and yet they still found out!” Technoblade spoke, he felt bad for interrupting his old mentor, but he had to defend himself. “I obviously hid him, I love him, I don’t want him to die or go without a family! I don’t want him to grow up like me.” Technoblade growled.

“He’s seven. He’s too young to die, and he can’t handle me dying. I’ve raised him since he was a baby, he’s known me all his life. If he’s anything like me, and I die, it’s going to destroy him. That’s how I felt with my father.” The younger whispered, leaning closer to Philza so Ranboo couldn’t here. Philza gave him a saddened look, but nodded, he sighed.

“Your father was a good man.. you’re a lot like him you know.” Philza spoke, he tapped the table. “Alright. You can stay here for as long as you need.” The raven hybrid gave in. He smiled softly at the other, “Thank you so much Phil, I don’t know how to repay you-“ Technoblade spoke, but was shut up by Philza. “No need, just... don’t make a mess of the house” Philza chuckled.

Technoblade sighed of relief, “Thank you Philza, thank you, you’re a lifesaver, literally.”