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Tommy stares at the piglin in front of him. It's funny, almost, the way Techno's presence in his doorway is so out of place, like a fish in a desert, or a sword in a flower field. His fingers twitch, fighting the urge to shut the door in Techno's face.
For a second, he stares, taking in Techno's dilated pupils and clothes. His usual fancy cape has been traded in for a normal zip-up jacket, but the dress shirt remains. It's a weird combination, one that Tommy would laugh at if he wasn't just a little bit scared that the piglin's come to kill him.
"Get out," he orders simply, turning away from the door slightly.
Techno reaches a hand out, completely ignoring Tommy's wish. "Tommy, wait–" he starts, stepping into the embassy and almost hitting his head on the roof.
"Oh, I'm Tommy, now?" Tommy asks rhetorically, eyes narrowing as anger sparks in his chest. "Where did Theseus go, Lycomedes?"
Techno winces, eyes hurt. He was always good at playing the victim, even if he didn't mean to. "Don't call me that."
"The shoe fits," Tommy responds, his words daggers.
"Tommy," Techno breathes, and then he's stepping closer. Tommy scampers back. Techno recoils, as if he's been burned. "I-"
His hands shaking, Tommy barks, "Just get out!" He doesn't even have his sword on him– which, Techno doesn't seem to have one, either, but in a fist-to-fist fight, Tommy has a sinking feeling he knows who'll win. He doesn't want to deal with this today, he's– he's supposed to be hanging out with Big Q today. It was supposed to be a good day, finally.
Techno winces again, and Tommy almost feels bad, and then he's taking another step closer. Tommy backs up further. "I don't want to fight you, Tommy, I just want to talk."
"We can talk at a distance!" Tommy points out, and then shakes his head, saying, "Actually, no, we can't. Get the fuck out of my house!"
But Techno keeps getting closer, and closer, until he's just a few feet away, and Tommy accepts his fate, raising his hands to cover his face with a jackhammering heart.
And then Techno stops. Tommy waits a second, and then peeks at the piglin through the cracks between his fingers. The man stands there, staring at Tommy with unreadable eyes, and then gently, gently utters, "I'm not going to hurt you."
But Tommy's heard that before. Sweet lies, inevitably broken promises. "I'm not stupid," he whispers. "I'm not naive anymore. Just– just get it over with, Dre–" he catches himself, "Techno."
"I miss you," Techno reveals. Tommy's mind goes blank. "A– a lot. Chat asks about you all the time, and I never know what to tell them."
Tommy shakes his head. "You're lying," he mutters.
"I'm not," Techno promises, taking a step closer. Tommy takes one back in return. "Kid, listen–"
"Don't tell me to listen!" Tommy snaps, back straightening. "Don't– don't fucking tell me what to do. Get out of my house!"
"I love you!" Techno says, voice raising.
"No, you fucking don't," Tommy snarls. "If you loved me, you wouldn't have done all this shit. All you do is hurt me, Technoblade. You," he counts on his fingers, "you belittled me, and you constantly kept me at arm's length, you killed Tubbo, you blew up my nation twice–"
Techno's hands are twitching at his sides. "I had an agenda," he says, "and– and that agenda wasn't the kindest to you, I understand that, but–"
"I loved you," Tommy says, and he's angry. "I loved you, and you didn't care. What gives you the fucking right to say I mean something to you now? After everything!"
Techno keeps getting closer, and now he's not stopping, until Tommy is just a foot away, staring up at him with furrowed eyebrows and a pissed-off glint shining in his eyes. "I love you," He reiterates.
"That's fucking bullshit!" Tommy yells, and there's tears welling in his eyes. "Don't fucking lie to me! Why now? After all these months of feeling unwanted and– and unloved, why should I—"
"Because Dream is coming for you, Tommy!" Techno finally confesses, loud and frustrated, and the words cut through the air like a guillotine. All the air leaves Tommy's lungs, the fire in his veins freezing into something terrified. Techno reaches out a hand, probably to comfort him, but Tommy shrinks away. "I'm– listen, Tommy–"
He pauses, like he's expecting Tommy to interrupt him, but Tommy listening this time. He can't afford to not.
"We're kind of friends," Techno continues, but then backpedals when Tommy flinches. "Well, he thinks we're friends, but I'm waiting for the right time to take him down. I've– I realized that partnering up with him kind of goes against my whole no absolute power thing."
"Really?" Tommy drawls drily. Techno keeps going.
"Last night, he came to my cabin," his voice drops to a whisper. "And he asked me if I'd heard from you recently. Then he went into this whole speech about how he wants to take you on a walk, just the two of you, to sort of mend your friendship, but I don't think– Chat told me he was lying."
Tommy nods frantically. "That's– that's all Dream fuckin' does. He just lies, and lies, and he doesn't stop until he's controlling me like a little puppet. I'm– I'm just a toy to him, Techno, you can't let him get me, not again."
"I won't," Techno vows. "Not again, not ever. Chat tells me about exile sometimes. I don't know how they know, and I really hope they're making stuff up, because if all of that is true–" His voice cracks just a little, "if all of that happened right under my nose–"
"It happened under everyone's noses, Techno. All you really did was add fire to the flame."
Techno reaches out again, and Tommy doesn't recoil this time. He lets Techno cup his cheek, like when they were younger. "Let me help you this time. It's– it's the least I can do."
Tommy takes a breath, lets it out, and says, "Okay."
Techno blinks. "What?"
"Okay," Tommy repeats, leaning into the hand on his cheek slightly. "I– I don't trust you, but I trust that I'm safer with you than by myself."
Techno grins victoriously, dropping his hand and using it to smooth out his clothes. "That easy? Alright, then. To the cabin we know– I assume you know the way."
"Too soon," Tommy informs mildly, and then asks, "Hey– won't he check your cabin the second he realizes I'm not at the embassy, though?"
But Techno shakes his head. "Don't worry about that," he dismisses, lips quirking into a smirk, "I've got that covered."
—
Techno doesn't exactly have it fully covered, but he has it mostly covered. Of course, plan Get Tommy to Safety has a few loose ends to tie up, but those practically tie themselves. The plan is to get the Syndicate to provide protection to the cabin for a while, just forty-eight hours, until Techno can go out and fight the masked bastard himself.
However, he has yet to discuss this issue with everyone, mostly because he'd rushed out to find Tommy the second Dream told him about his plan. So now he has his little brother at his side, walking through the arctic and shivering profusely, and no one to protect Tommy other than himself. He's good– the best, even– but he can't be on lookout by himself.
He'd messaged everyone in the Syndicate (except for Ghostboo, for.. obvious reasons) to meet at the cabin on his way to Tommy's house, so most likely, they're all waiting for him. He hooks a possessive arm around Tommy's shoulders, dragging the boy closer. He pretends he can't feel Tommy flinch, and Tommy pretends that their dysfunctional little dynamic can be fixed. Techno has a lot to atone for.
Chat is going wild; they've missed Tommy like a missing limb. A part is angry- the bloodthirsty part that demands death and violence with every step he takes, the part that sees Tommy and still thinks traitor. Techno pays that part no mind.
Little brother!
Bedrock bros healing arc ueueueueu
Your runt is cold; warm him up!
He betrayed us, why does no one remember?
We love him we love him, skrunkly little guy, tiny sunshine boy.
Why isn't he shining anymore? We could make him happy!
Make runt happy!
And then, in a perfect, harmonious cacophony of voices, Chat is ordering, Make runt happy! Make runt happy! Techno shushes them mentally, telling them to please be quiet for just a little and let him think. "We probably have some steak at home," He starts conversationally. "You like steak, don't you?"
Tommy looks up at him, eyes narrowed. "You don't know me at all, do you?" He asks, which answers Techno's question indirectly. "I don't eat steak- or beef, actually- cause of Henry."
Techno's mouth rounds to create an 'O' shape. Right. Tommy had mentioned that at some point or another last December. Henry's death really shook him, and now the thought of eating cow meat made him cringe. Techno had forgotten. "Sorry," he mutters hastily.
"Don't worry about it," Tommy responds in a way that makes Techno worry about it a lot.
Techno rushes to keep the conversation going, because the icy silence between them cannot continue. "We have mushrooms. I could make a stew, I know you like that."
Tommy hums. "Sounds good." He falls quiet once more. That can't be normal. Tommy isn't quiet. He talks and talks and talks until Techno wants to cut off his ears and shove them in the kid's mouth so that he shuts up for a moment. This means Tommy's thinking. Thinking about this situation, thinking about how Techno will inevitably hurt him, thinking about alternatives... Techno knows that the kid is good friends with Quackity, and he doubts the duck hybrid would have qualms about letting Tommy stay in Las Nevadas for a week or two. Or he could stay with Tubbo in Snowchester, locked away in that giant, flammable mansion.
No, no, Tommy has to stay in the cabin. It's the safest place for him, tucked between Techno's arm and side. Or...
Is it?
Maybe Techno's just trying to convince himself of that to justify him bringing Tommy home. Prime knows his instincts have been demanding time with his runt, and Dream telling him what he did probably only heightened his protective nature. Is Tommy really safe in the cabin, "guarded" by people who have tried to kill him in the past?
Keep runt safe!
You are not enough.
But you can try to be!
If you atone enough--
Traitor.
--you might earn forgiveness.
Someone has to keep runt safe.
Make runt happy!
He misses the time in his life where he wasn't plagued by thoughts of keeping Tommy safe, where he could just trust that Tommy was alright. He looks at the shivering, broken-down boy next to him and wonders where the fuck he went wrong.
You know where you went wrong.
Right. Right. He knows.
They get to the cabin after a few long minutes of walking, much to Techno's relief. Tommy's lips are practically blue from the cold, so Techno gets a fire going, urging Tommy to get near it— "But not too near it, runt," he warns. "Icarus's fate makes Theseus's seem like a happily ever after."
Tommy gives a sarcastic laugh, and then he's sitting cross-legged on the wooden floor right by the fireplace. "Nerd," he teases, a half-assed, playful insult.
Techno sits down next to Tommy. "Runt," he says right back, pretending he doesn't see the way Tommy scoots away just a little. "The Syndicate will be here soon," he continues. "We're gonna make a schedule; two people will be in the cabin, two people will stay outside and make sure Dream is nowhere to be seen. 'Course, this would be easier with Ranboo assisting, but–" he trails off, looking down at Tommy's pained expression with regret. "Shit. Sorry."
Tommy shrugs. "'S fine," he mumbles, avoiding his eyes. "Not like you killed him."
No, Chat taunts, but you certainly didn't stop it.
"Right," Techno concedes reluctantly. "Wilbur and I will stay here with you, Phil and Niki will stay outside. I'd make Phil stay with us, but Niki would kill me if I left her alone with Will."
Tommy stares at the fire. "Do you think he'll come?"
"Maybe," Techno says. "Maybe not. He's a bit of a wild card."
He expects Tommy to agree, but the kid shakes his head. "No, he's not," Tommy bites ruefully, a dull, angry look in his eyes. "I understand him more than anyone."
Techno scoots closer, leaning in. "Would you rather him dead, Tommy?" He's curious; frankly, he's been putting off smashing Dream's head in with the butt of his axe purely because of the revive book, but if Tommy didn't care all that much...
No, no. He has to hold off. For Ranboo, at the very least.
Save boob boy!
Runt's more important, though.
Tommy's feelings over Ranboo's life? No!
Tommy over everything.
Why is he still here?
Little brother! Sunshine boy!
"I don't know," Tommy admits. "I do, I think. He's– he terrifies me, Techno. You don't know what I've been through– no one knows what I've been through. The closest is Ghostbur." His throat bobs, and he squeezes his eyes shut for a second before stating, "Yes. I do wish he was dead. But I also wish Ranboo was alive, and those two realities can't coexist."
"Huh," Techno lets out.
Tommy quirks a brow. "Huh?" He echoes questioningly.
"I thought you were selfish," he says. "Guess I was wrong."
"Overdone motif."
"Shut up," Techno responds, grinning. Tommy laughs, and the sound is better than anything Techno's ever heard. Of course, it's at that moment that there's a knock at the door. They share a wince. "Be quiet," the piglin orders. Louder, he calls out, "Who's there?"
"The people you invited over, mate," Phil's voice calls back, and Techno lets himself relax slightly. "What's the emergency?"
Techno gets up and opens the door, ushering the three people standing outside in. "Quick," he barks out, locking the door behind them. "In, in."
"Tommy?" Niki breathes out, staring at the kid with wide eyes. Wilbur seems surprised, but not shocked, and Phil sends Techno a knowing look. "What're you doing here?" Then, to Techno, "Did you kidnap him?"
"No!" Techno answers, horrified, at the same time Tommy responds, "Yep!"
"Tommy," Techno reprimands with a hiss. He turns back to the Syndicate. "Dream told me he's trying to hunt Tommy down. I need to make sure he's safe."
Niki scoffs. "So, what? We're spending the whole night babysitting? You know, some of us have plans."
"Dream is coming?" Wilbur asks giddily, "I love that guy!" Techno watches with rapt attention as Tommy's shoulders sink at the words.
Phil chimes in, "That doesn't really sound like an us problem, mate. Why'd you call the Syndicate?"
Techno glares at all of them, something baffled in his tone. "Because it's Tommy. We need to make sure he's safe, and I can't do it alone."
"Pretty sure you could if you really wanted to, though," Wilbur comments lazily. He walks over to Tommy now, digging a hand into the mess of blond curls. Tommy's eyes flutter close as his brother starts lightly scratching at his scalp. Wilbur holds back a coo. "Hi, sunshine," then, in a stage whisper, he asks, "did Techno kidnap you, Toms?"
Techno groans, annoyance building up in his chest. "Wilbur–" he starts, ready to tell his brother off, but Tommy beats him to it.
"No," he hums, and he sounds perfectly content with Wilbur's manipulative affection. He frowns, eyes shooting open, when Wilbur stops, retracting his hand and walking back to Phil's side.
"Can I go now?" Niki huffs, reaching for the door.
"Are you all stupid or just pretending to be?" Techno demands. "This is important."
"It really isn't," Wilbur denies.
Phil stares at Techno with a quirked brow. "I thought you hated the kid, Techno. Why are you doing all this?"
And then all eyes are on him. He can feel Tommy's dig into the back of his neck while he stares at Phil. That's the question, isn't it? Why help Tommy?
Because he's your runt!
Little sunshine boy!
Brother, little brother.
Friend?
Traitor.
Child, poor little child. Poor runt.
"We owe it to Ranboo," he says instead, because that's more marketable. Instantly, everyone in the group perks up. "Tommy is– was– his best friend. You know Ranboo wouldn't want us letting Tommy get hurt."
Tommy grimaces, fingers moving to the collar of his shirt. He pulls the dangling pendant out from beneath his shirt, and there's a little shining amethyst attached to the string. It's in the shape of a flower, but Techno can't quite pinpoint which. "It's from Ranboo," he says, and he sounds duller than before. "An allium."
The flower has no significance in Techno's eyes, but apparently it does to Tommy, because his eyes hold a world of pain. "Right," he says gently, and then he turns back to the Syndicate. "The ultimate goal is to bring Ranboo back. Until then, we can protect Tommy. Isn't that what he would want?"
There's a beat of silence, and then Phil clears his throat. "Yes," he agrees softly. "It's what Ranboo would want."
Niki rolls her eyes, but she complies reluctantly, and Wilbur isn't too hard to convince, either. Especially when Techno mentions Plan B: send Tommy to Las Nevadas so that Quackity can protect him instead. He pouts and moves to join Tommy on the floor, bringing the boy's head to rest on his shoulder. "I can never tell where they stand with each other," Phil confesses as Techno and him stand in the kitchen, looking at the two brothers as they cuddle in the living room. "I thought Tommy hated him, with what Wilbur did and all."
"Tommy's proven to be a lot more complicated than that," Techno says with a bitter laugh. "He's not big on grudges as it turns out. When he loves someone, he doesn't stop."
Phil blinks. "Really? You think so?"
The piglin shrugs. "He's here, isn't he?" He calls Wilbur and Niki in, and Wilbur glares as he has to leave Tommy at the fireplace alone, claiming that runt should be cuddled or whatever (Chat wholeheartedly agrees. Techno tells them both to shut up). "Wilbur, you and I will stay inside the cabin with Tommy to make sure Dream can't get in. Phil and Niki, you'll watch outside. There's night vision in one of my chests, use it. Wilbur and I don't have to, but we should keep it on us anyways."
"Great, now I'm catching hyperthermia for this kid?" Niki mumbles unhappily. Wilbur glares.
"It's hypothermia, actually," Wilbur corrects smoothly. "And Tommy's more than worth it."
"Why me?" Niki asks. "You could've called Tubbo, or Sapnap, or Quackity--"
"Yeah, I'm just rushing to get in contact with Quackity," Techno interjects mildly.
"--literally anyone! Why me?" Her voice drops in volume. "I hate that kid. I wish he was still dead."
Wilbur's palm slams on the countertop, startling everyone. "Shut the fuck up," he hisses. "We are going to protect Tommy, and that's that. If you have any fucking complaints, if you're going to keep being insubordinate, get the fuck out."
"You can't boss me around anymore!" Niki yells, hand inching towards her sword. "This isn't L'manburg!"
"Good!" Wilbur responds heatedly, words aiming to hurt, "because you were useless in L'manburg! I was hoping you could be more useful now, but I guess I was wrong. Get out."
"Wilbur--" Phil tries to coax.
"Get out!" Wilbur orders, loud and furious, and Techno's eyes shoot to Tommy as the kid curls into himself. Niki makes an offended noise, and then she's storming off, shutting the front door behind her with a slam that makes Tommy flinch.
It's silent for a moment. Techno tries to think of what to do.
Good riddance.
She tried to kill Tommy!
She would've done it again.
She's our friend, though!
Tommy over Niki? What have we become?
A good older brother!
A terrible friend.
She scared Tommy!
Tommy! Runt!
Techno sighs, then goes to lock the front door once more. "Just us SBI boys then, huh?" he tries. It earns a small, forced "woo!" from Tommy. Good enough.
"Surely I don't have to explain to you how stupid that was," Phil directs at Wilbur.
Wilbur scoffs. "Whatever. When have you ever been a fair judge of character?"
"I'm your father."
"That doesn't mean shit to me," Wilbur states, voice dark. "You hurt Tommy."
"So did you," Techno points out, earning a glare. He puts his hands up in surrender. "Just stating the facts."
"You turned his country into a crater with his abuser," Wilbur accuses.
"You turned his country into a crater with his brother," Phil responds in Techno's defense.
Wilbur hesitates. "It wasn't really a crater, though, was it? It was being rebuilt."
Techno counts on his fingers. "You pit him against his best friend, manipulated him, blew up his country--"
But Wilbur interrupts. "You did, like, most of those things as well."
Phil chimes in. "And I'm somehow the worst one in the family."
"Shut up, Phil," Wilbur snarls. "You killed me."
"You asked me to!"
"I was in limbo for thirteen years--!"
"--By your own volition!"
"Will you two shut up?" Tommy interrupts, standing in the doorway now. They all turn to stare at him. Techno's brain itches, longing to wrap the kid into his arms. "You're all terrible fucking people. Should I go to Las Nevadas?"
"No!" Techno instantly objects.
"Then stop standing around and keep Dream out!" He pulls out his communicator, typing away. "I'm calling Tubbo and Sapnap over, that wasn't a bad idea. It'll take them a bit to get here, though, so Techno, you stay in here with me, and Wilbur and Phil will stay outside-- no arguing! No distractions! The only reason I'm putting you two together is because if somehow Dream gets past you two, Techno's the only one who can take him on by himself. Once Sapnap and Tubbo get here, Tubbo will join you both and Sapnap will stay with me and Techno," He shoots them all an icy look over the device. "Any questions?"
There's silence.
Tommy huffs. "Good," he says drily, and then he retreats back into the living room.
Techno tracks his movements with his eyes, and then he turns back to Wilbur and Phil. "What're you waiting for? Go patrol." The two men grumble, and then they're going outside reluctantly. Techno sighs, and follows Tommy. The boy is sitting by the fireplace once more, staring at the dancing flames pointedly. Techno quietly sits down next to him. "They're annoying," he comments.
"You are, too," Tommy mutters.
The piglin sighs. "Okay. I deserve that," he concedes. "But I'm trying, alright? This- I'm not just doing this because Dream is coming. I missed you, Tommy."
Tommy doesn't say anything for a second, and Techno's heart squeezes. After a moment, though, there's a head on his shoulder, a silent act of affection. Their relationship was always kind of like this; what's left unsaid is what matters the most. They love each other through gifts and hugs and pats on the head.
It's a little hope. Tommy still loves him.
Techno watches the fire.
—
The sun rises, and Dream has not disturbed the area. Sapnap and Techno talk about fighting techniques on the couch, while Tommy tries to get some sleep. He can't imagine what Tubbo, Phil, and Wilbur could possibly be talking about other than the weather, but he knows that Ghostboo had arrived at some point last night. Techno says the ghost came to warn them about Dream wanting to hurt Tommy-- which, Tommy doesn't understand how in the world he knew that-- and then wandered off.
Now, the sun is rising, and they're talking about rotating soon. Tubbo, Phil, and Wilbur will watch over Tommy for a while, and Sapnap and Techno will go outside. He kind of wants them all to stay, though. Five of his favorite people, all in the same room. He reckons they could all be friends in another timeline. If only he could find that timeline.
He shuts his eyes as the smell of stew begins to drift throughout the cabin. He reckons they'll wake him up when it's ready, and Tommy hasn't slept this safely in years.
—
They change again towards sundown. Sapnap and Techno come back inside, Phil, Wilbur, and Tubbo go out. According to Tubbo, the two men have been glaring at each other the whole night. He's miserable out there, but he doesn't mind. He says Tommy's safety is worth being uncomfortable.
Tommy has been drifting in and out of consciousness all day. He's fucking tired– and well-fed, and safe, and warm. He feels oddly safe, despite being hunted down by Dream. Techno sits with him on the couch, and Sapnap is reading a book on the floor. Tommy teases him when he asks Techno about his favorite author. Sapnap flips him off.
He asks again. "Do you think Dream will come?"
Sapnap and Techno's conversation falters. There's a beat, and then Techno answers, "I don't know, kid. I don't see why he would."
"Because he misses me," Tommy says bitterly. "He's probably sad that his little toy was taken away from him."
Sapnap sucks in a breath. "You've got to stop referring to yourself as that. It only gives Dream more power if you believe that you're something to be played with."
"But it's true," Tommy reasons. "I'm just a puppet to him."
"And that's why you have everyone here," Techno says. "Dream won't be able to get to you."
Tommy's face darkens. "He can do anything he wants to," he says ominously.
Techno shakes his head. "No, Tommy, he can't. You just think that because you've only gone up against him unprotected. You have all of us, now. You're safe."
"I'm never safe from him," the blond whispers. It's the truth; he wasn't safe during exile, he wasn't safe with Technoblade, he wasn't safe while Dream was in prison, he wasn't safe with Phil– it was almost hopeless. Like Tommy should just succumb and let Dream do as he wants. He doesn't, though. He's stronger than that. "Never. It's like he knows where I am, all the time. He's in my head."
"Been there, done that!" A voice calls cheerily, and Ghostboo pokes his head into the living room. "People in your head can be so annoying!" He glances at Techno. "You'd know, wouldn't you?"
"Ranboo!" Tommy greets, patting the spot next to him. "How are you?"
The ghost hums, and with a brilliant grin on his face, answers, "Worried. Can you believe it? I haven't been worried since--" he pauses, smile twitching minutely. "Well, you know. But now I'm worried, Tommy, and it's all your fault."
Tommy raises both eyebrows. "Pardon?"
"Dream wants to hurt you," Ghostboo sing-songs, sitting next to Tommy and immediately grabbing the blond's hand. It's cold and watery, like slime with no trail, and so eerily like Ghostbur's that Tommy wants to recoil. "I'd know. I hear him all the time."
"What does that--?"
"He can't find you," Ghostboo says. "And he's mad."
Tommy can almost picture it; Dream, clad in full enchanted armor, storming through the entire SMP as he attempts to find his favorite toy, destroying trees and buildings on his way. Realistically, he knows Dream is smart; he'd sneak around in shadows as he searches, seeing as he's a public enemy. But he's powerful. It's hard to envision him any other way.
(Tommy saw him as weak once. Dream was locked in the prison, pleading for forgiveness with misty eyes. He died to the man's hands a week later. He'll never underestimate Dream again.)
He takes a shuddering breath. "Does- is he on his way?" He turns to Techno. "We need strength pots, and- and invisibility potions, and shields, and spare weapons, and healing potions--"
"He won't get to you, Tommy," Sapnap vows. Techno nods along, squeezing Tommy's free hand. It's a lot more solid and warmer than Ghostboo's, and Tommy finds himself squeezing back before letting go. "We won't let him."
Tommy distantly wishes he could call Quackity over. The man always makes him feel safe, protected in that giant, lavish city of his. The man gives the best hugs, fluffy feathers wrapping around him and holding him tight. The only comparable person is Phil, and something about getting hugged by Phil makes him so nostalgic that it pushes tears to his eyes.
He can't get Quackity to come, though. Not with Techno and Wilbur here. He can do the next best thing, though.
He reaches for his communicator, letting go of Ghostboo's hand to the ghost's dismay.
Tommy:
hey, big q. how are things??
He sighs and puts it down. Quackity's a busy man, running a nation and all. He'll probably get a reply in a day or two, maybe--
His communicator beeps. Tommy checks it questioningly.
Quackity:
tomas!! hi, pollito, nice to hear from you! things are alright in las nevadas, making more money than my bank account can hold. how are you? :]
The message makes his heart warm, and he finds himself pressing the communicator closer to himself like a security blanlet.
Tommy:
im alright. dreams hunting me down, so im hiding in technos cabin :C
Quackity:
i can come bail u out in like an hour, hold on. did he kidnap u??
Tommy:
no lol i came voluntarily. he offered me many riches
Quackity:
i can offer u more :(
Tommy smiles to himself. Possessive, jealous asshole.
Tommy:
i'll come when dream stops being a dick and im safe. i was gonna come yesterday and then i found out, soo
Quackity:
come soon. i miss my little hatchling</3
Tommy:
stop being sappy i'll block u
Quackity:
i love u princesito :DDDD
Tommy:
ilyt or whatever, byeee
Quackity:
byeeee dont die<3
He puts the communicator down, feeling a lot better. Leave it to Quackity to make him feel safe in this situation. He wishes the hybrid could just come but--
He glances to the side and sees Techno glaring at the communicator. When he notices Tommy's stare, he huffs. "I hate that guy."
"I know," Tommy mumbles. "He gave you consequences for blowing up a country. What an asshole."
Techno opens his mouth to argue, but closes it after a second with a sigh. "Whatever," he says, annoyed. "Come here, though. I need you close."
Tommy tilts his head in confusion. "Why?"
"Chat's being annoying," his brother whines. "Come here." He opens up his arms for Tommy to tumble into. Tommy obliges, tucking himself under his brother's chin as he climbs onto his lap. Techno lets out a little rumble, chest vibrating. "Runt," he acknowledges, then winces. "Please, Chat, quiet."
Tommy presses closer. "You smell like mushroom stew," he mumbles.
"There's some in the kitchen. Homemade."
"Sounds great!" Tommy says, and tries to dislodge himself. Techno's grip tightens. He sighs. "Or not, I guess. Whatever. Clingy bastard."
Techno hums. "You're underweight, did you know? You need to eat more."
"Let me go to the kitchen then, idiot."
"No," Techno answers curtly, kissing the top of Tommy's head and then tucking it back under his chin. "Stay here, Sapnap can bring you soup."
Sapnap looks up at his name, then groans. "Sapnap can bring you soup," he mocks under his breath and he puts down his book. "Sure, Sapnap will bring you whatever you want. Let's not even ask him if he wants to bring you soup. He'll just get up and get it!" He keeps going even after he gets out of earshot. Tommy giggles at the man's antics.
"He talks too much," Techno complains. "Why did we invite him?"
"I like him," Tommy answers genuinely. "He's nice."
"You think Quackity is nice," Techno grumbles. "Your standards are too low."
Tommy hums. "And yet you don't make the cut; what does that say about you?"
Techno rolls his eyes. "You're a terrible child, Toms."
Sapnap comes back with a bowl of soup, handing it to Tommy. "Drink up," he says, feigning annoyance with fond eyes. "Can't have my favorite little brother starving."
Techno clutches Tommy tighter. "Watch yourself," he warns.
The blaze hybrid gives a smirk. "Sure."
"He's my little brother, too," Ghostboo chimes in, and Prime, Tommy had almost forgotten he's in here.
"Shut up, Ranboo," Techno and Sapnap hiss simultaneously before dissolving into light argument. Tommy rolls his eyes and digs into his food, ignoring their childlike behavior.
—
He spends the rest of the day in the cabin.
And the next day. And then next.
Eventually, it's been four days since Tommy first came to Techno's cabin. Tubbo, Phil, Sapnap, and Wilbur are all tired of being on patrol twenty-four-seven. Tommy's tired of expecting to see Dream every time to he peeks out the window.
Eventually, everyone goes home, save for Techno, of course. They stare at each other as the sun falls over the arctic. Tommy's overstayed his welcome, he knows that. Still, the thought of leaving Techno and going back to his cold, shoddy embassy makes him fidget. He keeps sneaking glances at Techno, wondering when the man will finally kick him out.
The conversation happens during dinner on the fourth day. Everyone had gone home a few hours ago, in the afternoon, but Tommy had stayed at Techno's insistence.
"It's weird how quiet it is, huh?" Tommy starts, giving a forced laugh. "Sapnap isn't cussing us out, Phil and Wilbur aren't squabbling, I'm not constantly talking about every single thing that comes to mind– except this, actually. Whoops."
Techno laughs. "Except this," he agrees. "It's kind of nice, just the two of us. Or, well, just the two of us and Chat," he says pointedly, "who won't shut the fuck up."
Tommy smiles curiously. "Hi, Chat! What're they saying?"
Techno listens for a second, eyes glaring up, then looks to Tommy. He grins lopsidedly and confesses, "They're telling me to keep you."
Tommy blinks. "Huh?"
"They're telling me to never let you leave," he elaborates, and Tommy's hopes skyrocket. "I could make you a room, or you could sleep in my bed for a little– I don't know. But they're– they're telling me to make you stay. It's dangerous out there, without me."
"Recently, it's been a lot dangerous out there with you," he points out, because he's feeling vengeful.
Techno gives a half-smile. "Would it help if I promise to never make you feel unsafe again?"
"No," Tommy says. "But it would help if you stuck to your word. You're apparently very good at that, right?"
Techno laughs. "I am, I am. Just– I can't stand the thought of you going home and something happening to you in that little shake of yours," He tenses at the words he's saying. Tommy watches with baited breath. "We're good friends, right?"
"I think so," Tommy replies. "We had fun. A lot of it, actually. Til.." he trails off.
"Til," Techno agrees uneasily. "We were good friends, we were just... dumb. We can retry. Just move in with me again."
Tommy can't stop the grin that comes to his face, a sugary warmth filling his chest. "Really?" he asks, voice incredibly hopeful.
"Yeah, kid," Techno says softly. "Of course. I- I know I don't really deserve a second chance, after all I put you through, but--"
"Forgive and forget," Tommy quickly assures. "Well, not really, but eventually. I missed you," he leans forward, grabbing Techno's hand over the table and squeezing it tight. He remembers feeling so unloved by his brother after Doomsday- like he'd been abandoned by the world itself. Now he understood; he was never the issue. Techno's stupid ego was. "Bedrock bros reunited!" he cheers, giggling as Techno groans.
"Stop calling us that," he complains. "Chat loses its mind."
"Chat and I are best buds," Tommy grins. "So! Technoblade, which room am I getting? Is it yours? I want yours. My room now, bitch. You're been evicted."
"Nooo," Techno drawls, the corners of his mouth quirking up. "My room. What ever will I do?"
"Oh, oh! We could get bunk beds!" Tommy offers giddily, "I'll sleep on the bottom one, and then watch you hit your head against the roof every single morning. Sound good?"
"We'll figure something out," Techno says, not directly shutting down the idea. Tommy takes it as a win.
He laughs to himself. "I'm gonna annoy you every single day of your life!"
"Oh, god, why did I agree to this?"
"I'm gonna make you miserable!"
"I'm sure you will, kid, I'm sure you will."