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Tommy was lying on the ground, back to Techno.
No. Sprinting over, Techno skidded to the ground beside him. He could feel his knees tearing on the stones. Still, despite that, he didn’t care. That was Tommy on the ground. Immediately, he placed his fingers against his neck. “Tommy? Tommy, wake up. Please. I need you to wake up.” Tommy let out a low groan. There was blood soaking the dirt. Slicked over the rocks. Shaking Tommy’s shoulder with his other hand, Techno glanced down at him. He could feel his eyes welling up with heat and tears. His voice cracked as he spoke, “Tommy, please. I need you to wake up.”
There was another groan. Then, Tommy opened his eyes slightly. His eyes were blurred and glazed with pain or shock. “T-Tech?” He swallowed. Then, all of a sudden, he sucked in a pained breath. He jerked, mouth dropping open. “Te-Techno—“
“No, no. Ssh, it’s alright.” Techno smoothed his hair back. Then, he glanced over his shoulder. There was no one there. People were around them, sure, but no one was close enough. No one was there to hurt them. But there was also no one there to help them. And that was what Tommy had needed. “I know, I know.” He whispered when Tommy groaned weakly again. “Where are you hurt?”
“One of the robed guys…got me in the side.” Techno started feeling around. Then, suddenly, Tommy cried out again. Techno’s hand dipped into wet heat. Something smooth brushed his knuckles as he pulled his hand out. His fingers were absolutely covered in blood. Instantly, he knew what it was.
Tommy had a hole in his side.
Glancing up, he searched for any of the robed people standing around. He’d seen some of the stupid fuckers earlier. Dark red robes. Golden lining to all of them. Dark trousers. Dark boots. Sort of dumb-looking. Seriously. They just looked so silly and dumb.
There was one a little while away, trying to drag themself from a hole in the dirt. It was just close enough that Tommy could have been hit by them and could have hit them in response. Gently, Techno set Tommy on the ground. Then, he stormed towards the stupid asshole who he was sure hurt his brother.
Leaning down, he grabbed the person by the back of their hood and then yanked them up. Immediately, they held up their hands. Stared up at him with wide grayed-out eyes. Taking a breath, Techno glared down at them. “You—hurt—my—brother.” He hissed out.
“I-I’m sorry.” They said. Then, they dropped their hands down. A wicked grin crossed their face. “Why don’t you join them?” There was a burst of pain in his side. Glancing down, Techno saw the fire boiling at his side. Then, casually, he held onto them with one hand. Immediately, he brushed the fire out. Turned back to the person in front of him. Eyes widening, they stared at him. “Wh-what?”
Face twisting, Techno scoffed lightly. “You just hurt my brother. I’m the Blood God. Do you really think that something as stupid as a little bit of magic can hurt me?” He grabbed their other wrist. Immediately, he squeezed their arm until he felt something begin to pop and crack. Pain twisted their face. Mouth dropping open, they gasped. Then, Techno slammed him into the ground. Kicked them in the ribs. He reached for his sword.
“No. No, please—please—“ They raised their hands. The small gaps of blue between the clouds of smoke and dust thrown up by the fight reflected in their eyes. It instantly made Techno think of Tommy, begging them not to hurt him.
Techno slammed his sword down.
Turning, he wiped the sword off on his trouser leg and then sheathed it. Dropped down to Tommy’s side. Carefully, he pulled Tommy to his chest, stroked his hair back as he blocked the gore with his back. “Hey, Toms.” He whispered, softly. The sky shone down in Tommy’s eyes again, and he stared up at Techno.
“Techno?” He seemed almost dulled out. Dazed. Probably from blood loss. Smiling, Techno shifted him a little bit. At the rate Tommy was bleeding, he wasn’t going to last long.
“Hey. Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone touch your feathers. Just make sure you come back, alright?” A bit of understanding flashed through Tommy’s gaze. They started to heat up, actually. There was a sharp, electric tone shredding through the normal pale sky color. The glow flared up, bright and shining. If Techno wasn’t mistaken, then Tommy didn’t have long. That’s alright. I’ll stay. “I’m staying.”
“Okay.” Tommy whispered. Gently, Techno shifted him in his arms. “Mind if I just do this?” He asked, resting his head against Techno’s chest.
“Of course it is. You’re going to be alright, Toms. You just need to rest. Take all the time you need. I’ll explain everything to Wilbur and Dad, alright?” Tommy nodded again. “Just say hi to Mom for me?”
“Course.” He trailed off softly. Then, against his chest, Techno felt a little thud as Tommy’s head thunked against his armor. Then, he was gone. His body started swirling into ash, fire-toned feathers swirling away on the wind. Techno watched them for a moment. Then, slowly, he got to his feet. Pulled out his sword once again. Then, he squared his shoulders, turned, and launched back into the fight.
Everyone who belonged to the enemy was dead .
+++
He would never get used to waiting for his brother to revive.
Settled on a chair beside the bed, Techno crossed his arms and slumped down as much as he could. He had taken a bath and washed the blood from his hair and hands. Honestly, sometimes it never felt like he would manage to truly get his family’s blood out of his skin or clothes. No matter how much soap and water and dirt.
Sighing, he slumped down a little more. Rested his head against the chair arm. Across the bed from him was Wilbur, curled up with his pale golden and dark ruddy brown wings wrapped around him. Phil had been dragged off to help settle things between the surviving remains of the enemy’s army and their kingdom. Apparently, he was willing to release them, so long as they released their prisoners of war to Phil and then left the Empire never to return. If they did come back, then Phil would show no mercy. Still, he had mentioned he didn’t care if he was or wasn’t back for when Tommy returned.
They had to worry about getting back Tubbo.
Shifting, Techno straightened up once he saw the feathers and ash scattered across the bed shifting and glowing. Then, they swirled together, and he swore he saw a brush of darker air against the rest of it. Instantly, he cleared his throat. Wilbur raised his head from between his wings. His eyes widened and he straightened up immediately. There was a warm feeling that settled on the side of Techno’s face, like someone had just gently touched his face. Closing his eyes, he took a breath. Hi, Mom, he thought. When he opened his eyes again, he noticed Wilbur doing the same thing, letting out a soft breath. Then, Techno glanced down.
Tommy was on the bed. Eyes fluttering open, he sucked in a breath. There were several new bandages wrapped around his wounds, but the hole in his side was completely fixed up now. Smiling, Techno stood up as their mother left. He touched Tommy’s face. Blue eyes met his, and Tommy smiled. “Hey, Toms.”
“Hey, bitch boy.”