Chapter Text
So what if Tommy broke a vase. And a window.
Tommy walked quietly behind Techno. The two were cloaked, wrapped tightly against the winter winds. The capital was large, and the large cobble walls surrounding it did nothing to stop a chill from running up Tommy's spine.
It wasn't his fault Tubbo dared to test his aim!
The two kept themselves scarce. The closer to the castle, the more guards patrolled the area. You couldn't even hear Techno's footfalls in the snow with how quite he needed to be. Tommy hadn't quite mastered being as silent.
And was he really to blame when Schlatt kept his best vase RIGHT UNDER the window?!
Tommy tried his best to mimick the way Techno walked. But everytime he'd rolled forward, there was still a crunch under his heeled boot. But even as he cringed at how loud he was, he saw Techno look back with approving eyes. Tommy's heart warmed.
Who even put a window right where it could get hit anyway!
Tommy, though still upset at no one in particular, still felt a little guilt creep up his chest. Ok yes, it was technically his fault, but how would he know the rock would hit the window? He was aiming for the roof!
Maybe his 12-year-old arms weren't as strong as he'd thought.
But why were they making him apologize! It was just a mistake! Shouldn't a kid be allowed to have a I'm-Going-To-Break-Your-Window-And-Best-Vase mistake? Tommy sure thought so!
But when he'd voiced his opinion, Techno just sighed and scooted him out the door.
Now the two of them were off to get a gift for Schlatt. An apology gift.
It had to have been the most important vase in the word(or the most expensive window) to have Techno this close to the castle.
The closer they got, the more fear and guilt welled up inside Tommy.
Techno was a known fugitive. Tommy knew that. The older man would never dream of getting so close to so many guards! How bad had Tommy screwed up that Techno needed to get this stupidly dangerous gift?
It was honestly risking allot, and for what?
A fucking bakery.
Tommy had lived with Techno his whole life, and never once had he seen Techno risk his own safety, let alone Tommy's safety, like this. But as they got closer to the building, Tommy could tell the man came here allot. The was a practiced ease in the way he opened the door and stepped inside.
Tommy wasn't one to judge, but when the fuck did The Technoblade find time to sneak away to go to a bakery, dead in the middle of enemy territory, consistently, without Tommy knowing?
Tommy knew his guardian wasn't one to put himself in danger. And Techno cared for Tommy! Why would he take him to such a heavily guarded place?
Techno was holding the door of the bakery open for him, so he quickened his pace. He supposed it was better to keep inside then out in the open.
But as he stepped into the confines of the little shop, Tommy almost forgave himself for being so reckless and endangering himself and Techno.
This was where Techno got Tommy's birthday cake from every year. No wonder Techno was so at ease entering the shop.
The smell of Tommy's favorite treat wafted to his nose, and Tommy understood. Slowly he stalked forward, keeping his cloaks' hood low over his eyes as he looks at the various other treats beyond the counters glass. Shit! Was this where Techno got his favorite brownies!? He might actually need to thank the big oaf later!
Yaknow, for risking his life everytime Tommy got the munchies.
He groaned, turning around to stare at the pink-haired man. Surprisingly, Tommy actually could see his hair!
Even more surprising then Techno's cloak being down? A voice calling to him by name.
"Techno! Nice to see you again!" The voice was soft and gentle, an accent lacing the words perfectly. There was a giggle, "Does your little gremlin want his favorite? Here let me pack some up!"
Tommy went to turn around to ask who she meant by "Little Gremlin," when he was hit on the head, dragging his own hood down in the process.
"Owch! Tech-!"
"Actually this little shit is here to get an apology gift. Right Tommy?"
Tommy stuck his tongue out with a grin, "Im not little, nor am I a gremlin or a shit!"
The woman, Tommy could see her now, was sporting pink hair, just deeper than Techno's own shade. Her brown eyes widened as she looked down at him, "Oh! Im so sorry! You must be Tommy! Im Niki! I didn't mean to offend-"
"Nah," Tommy cut her off with a grin, now surveying the goods he might get Schlatt, "I am a shit and a gremlin, no offence taken!"
The woman chuckled with a nod, "It's really nice to meet you, Tommy! Tech talks about you all the time, he always said that when you were ready, he'd bring you here to meet me!"
"A-hem, Niki." Techno coughed into his hand, looking away.
Niki just laughed while Tommy internally gasped. Techno thought he was ready? Strong enough to go into deep city grounds with him? He wouldn't say it aloud, but Tommy was honored, genuinely.
With a new giddy feeling in his heart, Tommy picked out a small vanilla cake for his hot-headed family friend. They both thanked Niki, Techno dropping three silver coins in her palm. She'd then waved them off with a smile.
As they were leaving, a shit-eating grin rolled across Tommy's face, "You loooooooove me!"
"Fuck yes I do, you little shit! Now but your cloak on or you'll get us caught!" He tightened his own hood securely over his eyes.
Tommy obeyed with a light hearted chuckle, flicking his own hood up, "Of course, your royal highness," before trying to push Techno into the snow.
As the two play fought down the road, less weary of guards, they didn't notice the two figures lurking in the shadows. They especially didn't know after one figure ran off, having caught a glimpse of Tommy's blue eyes. The other slowly followed the brothers.