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Tommy held Michael’s hand as they traversed the Nether between Snowchester and the Arctic Commune.
“You’re holding me too tight.”
Tommy startled a little. “Sorry.” He loosened his grip. “Just don’t want you running off on me. Papa and Dada aren’t really fond of you leaving the house. But what’s a little adventure with your favourite uncle?”
“Littleblade!”
Tommy smiled.
Michael noticed it was a little strained. He squeezed Tommy’s hand the way Tommy was holding his before.
Tommy looked to their conjoined hands and swung them a little.
“Are we there yet?”
“Almost.”
Michael squeezed Tommy’s hand again and started to run forward down the cobblestone path.
Tommy ran along to keep up with the little piglin. Tommy slowed then when they reached the obsidian bridge. “Michael.”
“Yeah?”
“We’re going to meet Technoblade.”
“We are?”
Tommy tugged Michael and they stepped through the portal.
Michael was a vibrating ball of energy the whole walk from the portal to the cottage in the field. He wanted to run all the way there but Tommy was walking slowly; like he was familiarizing himself with the snow.
Tommy helped Michael jump the fence.
“But the gate?”
“But jumping over the fence. Come on, Techno doesn’t mind. Everybody jumps the fence.”
Tommy brought Michael to Techno’s front door. He hung back and let Michael knock on the door. After a minute or two Tommy started banging it.
There was movement from inside. The door swung open. “Just wal—“
“Gold.”
Techno looked down. He blinked. He hadn’t seen the little piglin. “What’s this?”
“My nephew.”
“Isn’t Fundy Wilbur’s son?”
“Tubbo.”
“Phil didn’t adopt Tubbo.”
“He didn’t adopt you either and you’re my brother.”
“No I’m not.”
“Big brother Technoblade.”
“Stop.”
“Big Uncle Technoblade.”
Techno sent the little piglin a betrayed look. “Not you too piglet. Tommy’s corrupted you.”
“Big Uncle Technoblade.”
“You if start calling me little uncle I will disown you kid.”
Techno snorted.
“Best Uncle Tommy.”
Techno smiled at the two of them. “And you didn’t just barge in because?”
“Michael felt bad about jumping the fence. Don’t think he could have taken just walking in.”
“Michael?”
“Gold.”
“Michael.”
“What? Gold.”
Tommy rolled his eyes and pushed passed Techno. “If he gets hurt Tubbo and Ranboo are gonna kill me. I was supposed to stay in Snowchester.”
“Gremlin. Can’t even do something for his friends.”
“I am! I’m babysitting.”
Techno ushered Michael into the house. “Lemme get you some gold.”
“Okay. What’s that?”
“Steve. Don’t hit him. He’s nice for cuddles.”
Michael looked to Tommy for permission. Tommy nodded. Michael grabbed his hand and pulled Tommy down to flomf into Steve’s fur. Michael curled into Tommy’s arms, leaned against the softness that was Steve’s coat.
“SoftyInnit.”
“Shut up man!”
Michael held out a hoof to Techno. “Sounder. Cuddle. Gold.”
“No.”
“Gold?” Michael asked hopefully. He could settle for some gold.
“Come on Blade!”
“I’m not curling up on the floor.”
“Come on Blade. Join us.”
“One of us!”
“One of us!”
“One of us!”
“One of us!”
“Stop.”
“No. Cuddle.”
Michael buried his hand in Tommy’s hair. “Gold,” he said happily.
“Look at him. The least you could do is give him some actual gold.”
“I think he likes your hair.”
“Well yeah. But I know where I stand. Actual gold is better.”
Michael felt Tommy’s tone dip. “Best Uncle Tommy.”
Tommy headbutted Michael lightly.
“And I hate you.” Techno got down onto the floor, and cuddled his little brother. He wrapped his cape so that it draped around Michael on the other side of Tommy.
“Softnoblade.”
“Shut up. I get enough from chat.”
“You called me SoftyInnit.”
“Fine.”
“Sounder. Cuddle. Gold?”
“You have Tommy’s fur.”
“Littleblade’s fur is nice.”
Laughing once more, Techno headbutted the back of Tommy’s head. “You wanna spar later piglet?”
“Yeah.”
Techno was flat on his back. Michael straddling his chest, sword held above his head triumphantly.
“Take his crown!”
Michael sent Tommy a distressed look.
“Do it. He won’t mind. You’ll give it back like you gave back Papa’s crown right?”
“Yeah.”
“Take it.”
“Go on piglet. You won.”
Michael smiles and takes Techno’s crown. Techno lurches towards Tommy for a second before calming himself. Michael sitting on his chest helps.
“Oh I see how it is.”
“Shut up. I have it under control.”
Tommy, toying with death maybe apparently, picks Michael off of Techno. He brings the piglin into his arms. Michael puts his hands back in Tommy’s hair.
“You have gold?”
“Gold,” Michal said with a mischievous smile.
“You are spoiled.”
“Techno! Have you seen Tommy? If he’s not here I’m killing him next time I see him!” Ranboo yells as he’s climbing down the ladder to the training room.
“They’re right here.”
“Hi Boo-boy.”
“Hi Papa.”
“Did you have fun with Techno?”
“Yep!”
“Yes Papa.”
“Good. I’m going to kill your uncle.”
“Big Uncle Technoblade let me win.”
Ranboo blanched. “It that ‘Technoblade’ in piglin?”
“Yes.” Techno got up off the floor.
“I— no offense Michael, but I think my not being able to beat Techno has nothing to do with me being able hurt Tommy.”
“What are you talking about Ranboo? Michael is a bad man. If he can’t then you can’t.”
“Tommy I will strangle you.”
“Michael’s fine.”
“Hand him over.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I’m trapped.”
Michael‘s hooves jumped out of Tommy’s hair.
“You little shit.”
”You love me.”
Tommy headbutted Michael. “I do. Give Technoblade is crown back, we should get you home.”
“Okay.”
Tommy picks the crown off his head and walks to the ladder. He gives Techno is crown back, but takes Ranboo’s and places that one on Michael head.
“Gold.”
“Gold.”