Work Text:
#1
When Technoblade was tasked with being a hall monitor by Principal Philza, he didn’t think too much of it.
He wasn’t complaining of spending some time off classes, especially the ones that seem to go on for hours, that minutes seem to tick by at an agonizingly slow pace. The hour hand taunting him with the familiar bell chime that inched closer to his freedom.
He should have known better that his father had tricked him to deal with yet again another nuisance.
Technoblade was pulled out during economics class. Sam asked him to cover his schedule. The senior had an important test that he could not miss that was worth more than half of his grade. Technoblade didn’t mind, and the look of pure relief that flashed in Sam’s face made him less guilty of the glaring looks Wilbur was sending him.
Technoblade smirked as Wilbur sent him a look which was akin to pure betrayal as the usually strict and upright teacher left him off with a simple nod, before turning back to class to continue her acts of terror teaching.
Sam handed him his hall monitor ID, before wishing him good luck. Luck that he didn’t realize he needed.
It was normal at first, mostly some freshmen unknowingly getting lost, unsure of the building floor plan and other batches of students who were trying to cut classes. He highlights the word ‘trying’ as they never got too far than a few hallways away. He prides himself for being quick on his feet. A necessary quality to have when you have a little brother who is always stubbornly running away from bedtime, and then to proceed to wrangle said brother from escaping.
And just as Technoblade was starting to unwind for a bit he saw him.
Now this wasn’t his first seeing the lime clad menace called Dream.
The teen was his self-proclaimed rival and he will never admit it to anyone but he fits into the role nicely. Dream was by far the only one in the school who can confidently come to even terms with him. With it being in academics or extracurriculars . The top one spot always alternated between their names.
He could still vividly remember the first time he was placed second on the board. Technnoblade had caught the victorious grin that Dream had etched on his lips, and the glint of an upcoming challenge shining behind those eyes.
And now those very same eyes were looking straight at him. Admittedly his rival picked up the habit of cutting classes and yet this hasn’t caused his grades to take a hit surprisingly.
They both stared off at each other, waiting for the other to make the first step. Technoblade waited in bated breath and then Dream turned his heel and made a run for it, Technoblade didn’t hesitate to follow behind.
The halls they went through were mostly empty, there was no sound except for the distinct squeak of their sneakers hitting the tiles. Technoblade could hear the sounds of doors opening and surprised and even terrified yells of his teachers as they bolted past their classrooms.
Dream was quick, he made that very apparent as the school’s star track player. Technoblade was sure the only reason the athlete hadn't purposely flunked out due to his own negligence and poor decision making skills was that he could still enjoy the sport..
There were times that for a brief second Technoblade would lose sight of him and yet everytime it would seem that Dream would do something that would catch his attention. He knows Dream is more capable than this. He knows that if Dream had just tried hard enough he would have left Technoblade in the dust but it seems the blonde was prolonging the chase as much as humanly possible.
Technoblade follows him to the emergency exit stairwell, he catches sight of Dream running up the stairs just a few flights ahead of him. He swears to Notch where is this menace trying to bring him. They both just climbed higher, and higher to the point Technoblade would be lying if he hadn’t considered letting him go and he would have if Dream hadn’t occasionally taunted him by peeking his head over the rails as Technoblade stopped to catch his breath.
He glared at Dream which only got him an amused grin as reply before continuing his pursuit. Eventually they reached the school rooftop, the scorching afternoon sun doing Technoblade no favor as he slightly stumbled on the concrete floor, squinting through the afternoon haze he spotted Dream already waiting for him.
This was more than he bargained for. Prime what was Technoblade even doing here.
“So you actually followed me up here. Huh..” Was that seriously the first words Dream will say to him, what an arrogant a- You know what Technoblade wasn’t even going to finish that thought.
“It’s not like I had any better to do unlike you teletubby” Technoblade was slightly proud of the surprised gawked that Dream sputtered out “I- what did you just call me”
“You heard me, who even in the right mind cosplays a highlighter every day”
“I’ll have you know green is a pretty good color!”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that”
Dream opened his mouth before grumbling, tugging up the white mask that Technoblade had just noticed was resting just under his chin. He barely got a glimpse of the splatter of freckles that litter the teen’s face before it was hidden once again from view.
“You do know you have to go for detention for this” Dream furrowed his brows together before glancing at the hall monitor lanyard that hung on Technoblade’s neck. It takes the blonde approximately ten seconds before another mischievous glint passes through his eyes and he turns back and jumps.
“Wait what hold on!” Technoblade rushes over the edge, and catches a sight of Dream gracefully jumping from fire escape that was from his knowledge was unused if the closed off gates was enough proof of that. Though Dream wasn’t even slightly bothered by the obstacle as he slips through them with ease.
Just like that the now dubbed escapist rested his feet firmly on the school parking lot. He looks back at a flabbergasted Technoblade who was still watching him from the rooftop, he places his hands on either side of mouth and shouts.
“You have to do better than that next time, Bacon!” Before running off once again. Technoblade huffs amusedly, this was definitely better than economics class
#2
“Ah Technoblade, can I talk to you for a second?”
Technoblade looks up from tidying up his bag, the class had all filtered out in a flurry of chatter once the bell rang out for the day. He preferred not to push through the hallways at the peak of dismissal. So usually he was one of the last to go and other than the athletes who were having practice.
Not only was it the end of a long and exhausting school week and he’d actually get some decent sleep. Last period was always English with Mr. Sparklez though he insists on his students calling him ‘Jordan’.
Technoblade was not the one to skimp on formalities especially if it was on the few people he held on a decently high regard. The man gestured him to approach closer, already hunched up on his desk as this week’s homework piled up in stacks in front of him
“Yes, sir?” His teacher’s brows furrowed at the greeting before shaking his head in exasperation.
“I told you to not- Nevermind we’ll get back to that another time. I have something to discuss with you.”
Technoblade does not miss the change of tone, his usually upbeat teacher almost sounded defeated. He’d be lying if he wasn’t at least a little bit concerned for the man’s wellbeing.
“What is it?”
Jordan tapped his finger on the mahogany surface before opening up one of his drawers. Technoblade watched in anxious anticipation as he sifted through some papers before handing him a specific one.
Even at a distance he can’t help but wince at the red marks that littered the page. The handwriting was a mixture of intangible and messy scrawl. Technoblade squints at some of the words, trying to decipher the handwriting.
Whoever answered this test obviously rested their fate on pure luck alone as the identification part was almost entirely blanked out with some items scribbled in with answers. The multiple choice was reviewed in pattern (choosing the letter ‘C’ if they didn’t know the answer which almost all of them did not work in their favor). Technoblade didn’t even know where to begin with the essay.
As Technoblade continued to inspect it he noticed the name that was written down on the far left side corner of the sheet. It read ‘Dream WasTaken’
Oh fuck…
The pinkette looked up and his teacher had his hands clasped together on his desk, waiting for his reaction.
“You can’t be serious-”
That’s how Technoblade finds himself standing like an idiot in the middle of the library. He barely remembers the conversation he had twenty minutes ago in the classroom and now he’s just awkwardly trying to figure out how to approach Dream.
Dream who was already sitting at one of the few vacant tables, with books, papers, and a laptop in front of him. Though it seemed like he wasn’t showing any of the study material any interest as he mindlessly fiddled with his pen.
An exasperated sigh escapes him as Technoblade forces his feet to step forward, as he steadily approaches the table Dream gazed out from the library window which coincidentally had a view of the track. His gaze carefully trailed the figures of his teammates who were practicing. Technoblade coughed making his presence known, making Dream jump slightly from his seat.
The sight of his eyes widening almost comically was particularly amusing. The blonde takes a minute to gather his wits before tearing his attention away from the window.
“Hallo.” Technoblade greeted casually, not bothering to ask when he took the empty seat across from him.
“You’re not here to drag me to detention are you…” The pinkette raises a brow at him.
“No.”
Dream visibly sags in relief.
“I am here to tutor you.”
A moment of awkward silence passes between them. Technoblade could almost see the gears that were turning inside Dream’s head.
“I don’t need a tutor”
“Mr. Sparklez said that if your grades get any lower you risk getting kicked out from the team” Technoblade said bluntly and Dream freezes. Bullseye
“Why are you helping me?” Dream asks apprehensively “It's not like you’ll need the extra credit when you’re practically at the top of the school. Hell we barely even interacted so why..”
Technoblade simply shrugs, randomly picking up a book from the pile slowly inspecting it. It was obvious Dream did not believe him. Which was well Technoblade didn’t hold it against him but it was the truth. He wasn’t so sure why he was doing this . Why was he spending precious hours of time tutoring a stranger when he could be at home by now relaxing as both of his brother’s wouldn’t come home till hours later, leaving the house all to himself.
Maybe he did. Maybe it was because Dream was interesting. Someone worth breaking his usual routine for. Technoblade would be lying if he said he wasn’t at least a little bit curious of his supposed rival's absence though he’d rather suffer through hours of Tommy’s nonsensical rambling than admit that.
“Or maybe you’re just taking the opportunity to talk to me” Dream suggests teasingly and Technoblade didn’t even have to look to know there would be a mischievous grin hidden behind Dream’s mask, though despite the said accessory Dream was still easy to read.
“Who in the right mind is excited to talk to a highlighter?” Technoblade fires back.
“You’re never going to stop calling me that aren’t you” Dream glared, tipping down the book that Technoblade had in hand. “No. Now focus” Technoblade slapped Dream’s hand away “The quicker you pass the quicker my retinas are spared”
“I take offense in that”
“Good.” Technoblade watches as Dream throws his hands up in the air before slumping over the table. He wasn’t so sure if Dream was glaring at the book or him. Probably both. Yeah probably both. They both stayed under a heavy almost awkward silence for a while until finally Technoblade sighed and closed the book, sending Dream a pointed look who still refused to do anything productive as an act of defiance.
“Look” Technoblade says in an exasperated tone, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his fingers to ease the growing headache from dealing with Dream’s nonsense.
“What do I need to do for you to cooperate?” Dream lifts his head slightly before muttering a soft “Fuck off” attempting to bury himself deeper into the confines of his green hoodie.
“Dream.”
“I said fuck off”
“I heard you the first time and I’m choosing to ignore the blatant disrespect in the hope you actually get hit with some sense” Dream makes gives no reaction on the obvious taunt and Technoblade decides to make a bold guess “If it were it different person they would have walked out of the library which I’m pretty sure had already happened that’s why you’re acting like some petulant child”
Dream scoffs but makes no attempt to deny his claims so Technoblade continues.
“Luckily for you I’m not that kind of person” Technoblade waits for some kind of response watching as Dream eyes him suspiciously
“No judgment?”
“I won’t even tell a single soul I’m tutoring you” Technoblade reassures him and finally Dream straightens up, he eyes the book apprehensively again before tentatively meeting his eyes. He tries to come off as open and casual as possible, the image of his more social twin, pops up in his mind. But he only ends up only feeling stiff and unnatural so he gives up, slumping his shoulders down and propping his head up on his hand as he watches the internal struggle Dream is going through.
“If you don’t mind me asking.” His sudden remark pulls Dream out of his thoughts, the blonde now slowly regaining his confidence back as he meets his gaze in a more firm manner. Good at least Dream’s stubbornness comes in handy on some occasions.
“Why do you hate English so much?” Technoblade’s question seems to temporarily catch Dream off guard and he sees the conflict that flashes through his expression. “You don’t have to answer if you’re not-”
“No it’s not that I’m uncomfortable” Dream suddenly interjects before slowly going silent again, as if to organize his thoughts “It’s just I never really. It never interested me.”
“I get it”
“I know that’s not really an excuse but I just can’t- Wait really?” Dream looked surprised at Technoblade’s answer which he didn’t really blame him. Sure he enjoyed the subject, he enjoyed discussing about and debating on the points that lay between the words but he understands that it was just simply not everyone’s type but he also knows there must be some way he can help Dream without forcing him to do something he clearly didn’t want to do.
Fighting with Dream’s stubborness is one of the battles he’d go back on later when he cleared his schedule.
“What if you read it to me?” Dream suggested and Technoblade looked confused
“You won’t like read it to you word for word but you can at least give me a rundown of it like a summary. I’m sure you can at least make it a little more interesting” Technoblade thought about it for a moment and it wasn't a bad suggestion. He helps Dream in understanding the material and gets to review along with it. In the end it's a win-win for both of them
“Sure I don’t see why not” Technoblade takes the copy of ‘To Kill a Mockingjay’ that Dream pushed towards him.
This is how they end up sitting across from each other with Technoblade’s voice filling the empty space between them.
#3
Technoblade routine goes like this, he goes to class as usual being the first to arrive so he can sit at the back end of the classroom to avoid being disturbed but be the last to leave so that he doesn’t have to push his way through the hallways.
He spends his lunches alone or practically dragged by his twin to join his table and begrudgingly socialize with Tommy and their circle of friends. Go home, do his homework, maybe play some games or read a book before his brothers or parents come home and they do the usual ‘how was your day’ by the dinner table before they separate doing their own thing throughout the evening, go to bed and repeat.
Though now every Wednesdays and Fridays, Technoblade’s routine branches off slightly after classes he would go and find Dream already waiting at their table (though he doesn’t know how that hidden space has become ‘theirs’) at the library.
Where their small table was placed at the far corner, tucked away behind the tall but mostly unused bookshelves (which was evident with how there was a layer of dust gathering on some of the covers from the lack of upkeep).It provided them with some privacy. Most people in their school thought they hated each other which was the farthest thing from the truth. Neither of them showed any real sense of aggression towards each other.
Rumours spread like wildfire in highschool and Technoblade honestly didn’t care enough what other people thought of him as long as he was left alone. Dream didn’t appear particularly bothered as well so there was just a silent agreement that passed between them to just let people speculate.
It's not like people would believe that Dream would complain to Technoblade as he pushes a new selection towards the blond’s way, looking betrayed and refusing to glance at it before eventually Technoblade makes Dream pick it up with much reluctance.
Now with the compromise; Technoblade would give Dream a basic run through of the texts himself; if Dream can answer a short worksheet about it with ease then he doesn’t need to read it. His method showed good results so he must be doing something right.
Mr. Sparklez had praised him for a job well done when the first set of exams arrived and Dream got a decently high score (and if anyone asks, no Technoblade was not a point lower than him). Though his teacher thought even if it was no longer required that he continues to tutor Dream just to see if he can maintain it till the end of the quarter.
Technoblade honestly didn’t mind, silently looking forward to the days he would get to meet Dream who he’d sparked an unusual friendship with. He says unusual as they never spoke outside of the library. They didn’t share any classes together and despite technically being part of his brothers’ circle had a group of his own friends making then barely cross paths
And yet when their sessions ended earlier than usual they’d just talk. It varied to light hearted banter that has now become second-nature to them, complaining about school, friends, life, or just in general.
They even have each other’s numbers, texting each other throughout the day. Well it was mostly Dream who sent him memes or pictures of his cat. Though he never replies most of the time, their conversation usually picks up during the late hours of the night, both having terrible sleep schedules.
Sure some part of him wished they spent more time with each other, but on the other hand he didn’t want to risk toppling the fragile balance he’d created with his rival. Dream being one of the few people he’d grown to … care about besides his family and Dream had shown him equal amounts of trust when he decided to take off his mask around him.
Technoblade just didn’t want to risk it. He just can’t.
“Wait, you're telling me that you dyed your hair pink to spite, Wilbur?” Dream wheezed as he eyed the peeking brown roots which Technoblade had tried to hide before the blonde menace in front of him snatched the cap off his head and practically interrogated him.
“Yes, now give that back.” Technoblade attempted to take back the stolen cap but Dream was quick and switched it to his other hand out of reach “No!” Dream laughed, maneuvering the object out of reach once again “I need answers.”
“I already gave them to you.” Technoblade deadpanned.
“No! I mean like why pink? You could have chosen a better color like I don’t know black? Oh, maybe even green.” Dream suggested, trying to spread his atrocious fashion sense to Technoblade who after months of interacting with him have become immune to his tricks.
“First of all.” Technoblade slightly leaned forward from the seat and grabbed Dream’s wrist making him squeak in surprise before snatching the accessory from his grasp. Dream pouted which was more obvious now considering he’d gotten more comfortable around Technoblade with his mask laying by the window sill.
“If I chose black I’d look like Wilbur when he was in his emo phase.” Dream stared at him for a second before bursting out laughing. Almost falling off his seat as he doubled down on his laughter. Technoblade tried in vain to hide a small chuckle.
Dream’s laughter was contagious and hilarious on its own. He’d noted how it sounded reminiscent of tea kettle which has been one of the points of their frequent banters. “Wilbur had an emo phase.” Dream repeated, through fits of laughter, slamming his hand on the table which got them some annoyed looks.
“Don’t tell Wilbur. I was sworn to secrecy.” Dream looked up to him with a wide grin. Technoblade rolled his eyes as he quickly added “And no I will never dye my hair green don’t even think about it.” flicking Dream’s forehead which was met with a lighthearted glare.
Suddenly Dream’s phone buzzed, both of their eyes trailing over at the now lit up screen with a message from Ilumina. Dream picked it up, and looked at it with a solemn look.
”The coach is looking for me.” Dream muttered and Technoblade tried his best to brush the small pit of disappointment that built up in his chest. He glances at his wrist watch and they’ve already been talking for over an hour already, the sun had already dipped slightly across the horizon putting a soft orange glow over the campus.
Dream, who from their first meeting, claimed the window seat as his seat, basked in the sunset and for a moment Technoblade gazed at the set of messy curls that look like a neatly placed laurel on Dream’s head.
His freckles stood out more against his cheeks, the dots splattered across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose, and his eyes that always have been a vivid emerald green reflected nicely against the soft yellow hues in them –.
Dream looked beautiful.
…
Wait what.
What was he thinking? Him. The Technoblade called someone beautiful and it was Dream of all people. What was going with him. As Technoblade tried to keep his thoughts straight and yet he couldn't help but feel his face heat up even more as he stole another glance at the person in front of him who was oblivious to his current dilemma.
Don’t tell him he had a-
“I have to go.” Dream said abruptly, pulling Technoblade out of his spiralling thoughts, beginning to stand up, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he eyes his phone with a slightly somber expression “Sorry I wish that I could stay for longer but they need me for tryouts” Dream gives him an apologetic look and Technoblade’s heart seemingly skipped a beat as he tried to brush off this his new found feelings aside.
“It’s fine I’ll see you on Wednesday?” Dream beams at him “Of course I would, Bacon. Won’t miss it” No he doesn’t have a crush, but he damns every god that is out there right now who had the brilliant idea of letting Dream smile at him like that.
Just as Dream starts to walk away, Technoblade notices the forgotten white mask still laying by the window sill.
“Pst Smiles!” Technoblade called out the best he can without getting a stink eye from the librarian (They already risk being banned with how Dream’s wheezing laughter can be at times and that was the last thing he wanted to have on his record) and thankfully Dream was still within earshot distance and turned around.
“You almost forgot this.” Technoblade throws the mask and Dream, confused at first, still catches it. He gives Technoblade a look before pointing at his still maskless face. Dream lifts his hand up and –.
“Oh shit.” Technoblade shakes his head in exasperation but spares Dream the usual teasing , matter how comfortable they were with each other didn't mean necessarily they weren’t aware of where certain lines are drawn. Dream’s mask being one of them, though Technoblade never understood why he chooses not to question it
“Thank you god I can’t believe I almost did that” Technoblade watched as Dream blushed red with embarrassment, silently noting how it made his freckles more prominent before they once again disappeared out of view as Dream put his mask back on.
“I’m not forgetting anything else right?” Dream asks and Technoblade takes a moment to register his question.
“You still look like a teletubby if you’re wondering.” Dream gawked at him before playfully punching his arm “What is wrong with you” He wheezed before his phone buzzed again, making him curse under his breath.
“I should really go before Ilumina kills me. I owe you one Bacon!” Dream waves before running out of the library in a blur. Technoblade weakly waves back, the familiar nickname now echoing in his mind, making his lips tug up with a small smile.
#4
“So I was thinking-”
“No.”
“Oh come one Techno, don't be like that.” Wilbur quickened his pace to catch Technoblade who was adamant to shake off the stubborn brunette. Which he’d been failing to do for the past seventeen years as his twin constantly trailed after him.
“Come on just this once pleaseee” Technoblade sighed and met his twin gaze, who looked at him expectantly. He loves Wilbur truly , but he can be a pain in the ass most times. Well at least it wasn’t Tommy who was doing this. The blonde gremlin was a whole nother variety of annoyance who was in the shape of his youngest brother.
“You don’t even know what I was gonna say” Wilbur interjected, trying to convince Technoblade to either do something incredibly illegal or dumb. He was only going one out of the two things listed and he was his grade’s top student, take that as you will.
Technoblade pretended to think about it for a second before giving Wilbur the same answer as before ‘No’ and walked off.
Of course he should have known better than to underestimate his twin’s stubborn nature.
Wilbur continued to pester him throughout the following days, trying to grab his attention between classes, bothering him constantly though it was easy to zone out his voice as the teacher’s lesson gave him a good enough reason to ignore the other.
Of course this meant onslaught continued even past school hours, as much as he hated the idea of it sometimes Wilbur was his twin and in correlation they still lived under the same roof and he doubts that his mom would let him move out before college. Say what you will but Kirstin Craft was not a woman to be messed with.
Just when Technoblade was about to think his week couldn’t get any worse. Dream messages him Tuesday afternoon that he had to miss out on that week’s sessions so he can attend the final track try-outs. He’ll admit to no one, not even himself that his breaking point came at the final bell on Thursday.
“Fine!” Technoblade huffed, glaring at the smirking Wilbur beside him, slamming his locker maybe a bit too harshly than intended but he didn’t care. Only wanting to deal with Wilbur and his neverending annoyance.
“What do you want?” Wilbur visibly lit up, a look of mischief shining in those eyes. He was already starting to regret his choice.
“Well brother of mine. if you haven’t heard our youngest is trying out for varsity”
Technoblade stares at him for a second before deadpanning “I feel bad for his future team already.”
Wilbur had to choke back a laugh, knowing just how much of a persistent person Tommy was. What can they say that runs in the family “Why does it have to do with me anyways?” The pinkette raises a brow as he waits for the other to calm down a bit.
“I thought you’d want to come and watch him.” Wilbur said casually
“And give up my hour of peace?” Technoblade asked, not really one for social interaction if can help it and besides Wilbur was always well aware of the fact he was the more introverted between them so there must be some kind of hidden agenda. He just didn’t know what it was unnerving.
“Tommy said he really wants you to be there.” Wilbur pleaded and Technoblade sighed, the moment he allowed Wilbur to open his mouth he knew he wouldn't have any chance to refuse. That’s how he finds himself being pulled around by Wilbur, he forgot to ask where Tommy was even trying out for.
But he finds out very quickly when a familiar voice calls out to him once they settle themselves on the bleachers.
“Techno! Hey!” Technoblade whips his head around spotting the tuft of dirty blond hair, approaching. Dream was dressed differently from before now with his school jersey on, sport shorts and a towel draped across behind his neck.
“I didn’t you’d come here. Hi Wilbur”
“Hi Dreamie” Wilbur greeted back, and Technoblade felt something twist inside his chest
“Dreamie?” Technoblade questions before he can stop himself. He glares at Wilbur who only gave him a confused and slightly terrified look, raising his hands in defense as if to silently say ‘What did I do?’
Dream laughs, and the familiar sound pulls him out of his own head as the blonde doubled down, clutching his stomach as if he found the scene hilarious “Oh my god Techie, are you jealous?” He teased
“TECHIE?!” Wilbur in turn screeches in his ear, giving Technoblade a betrayed look “Since when have you been close with the school heartthrob. You’re hiding things from me now! I’ve never felt so betrayed, Dream comfort me” Wilbur sulks, arms stretched wide as he pouts.
Dream laughed again and gently patted Wilbur’s head as if he was comforting a small child and not a grown seventeen year old who was definitely taller than he was. “There there is the mean pig being mean to you”
“Bruhhh I’m literally sitting right here nerd” Dream rolled his eyes, and flashed him another smile “Really sorry about cancelling on you” He retreated his hand away from Wilbur who looked a little dejected but quickly got over as he spots another familiar face in the crowd and murmurs a quick excuse as he stood up to talk to them which he only nodded in reply, choosing to give Dream most of his attention.
“Its fineee, don’t worry about it” Dream takes Wilbur’s temporarily empty spot so that Technoblade didn’t need to crane his head up when they were talking.
“What are you even doing here?” Dream asks after a few moments of comfortable silence passed between them. Technoblade turns to the track again, trying to spot Tommy in the crowd which wasn’t hard to do as he can practically hear him yelling even from up here.
Tommy was with Ranboo, another freshman who had joined him and Tubbo’s circle and if his memory serves him right was also Dream and Tubbo’s cousin, subtly remembering how the boy came up in conversation during one of their extensive conversations. He remembers being surprised that three were even related at the first place as the three didn’t share the same surname but Dream treats them as his younger brothers and he wasn’t really the one to pry.
“Tommy is trying out and Wilbur dragged me along with him for support” Technoblade replied simply, deciding to answer Dream’s question who follows his gaze, finally landing on the pair.
“You’re a good brother”
“Really?”
“Yeah!” Dream exclaims excitedly and Technoblade can’t help but chuckle “Tommy cannot stop talking about you. Though I’m pretty sure he called me a ‘green boy’ when we first met.” The blonde mutters the last part under his breath and Technoblade doesn't miss his chance.
“Runs in the family I guess.” Technoblade smirks, earning a heatless glare from the other.
“Bullying me is genetic. Wow.” The sarcasm thick and clear in Dream’s voice and Technoblade did not miss a beat.
“Couldn’t pass up the chance to bully the homeless guy”
“I HAVE A HOUSE!” Dream exclaimed, the running joke never failed to get a rise out of him.
“What’s your address then? Oz, Kansas”
“Oh my god I hate you so much”
Technoblade was about to spit back another remark when Dream’s phone buzzed. Technoblade tries to bury down the growing displeasure of having thier conversation being cut off again as Dream gives him a sheepish smile, pulling out the device from his short pocket. Technoblade watched silently as Dream scans the message before a distinct red blush climbs up his neck to his cheeks.
“Oh my god… ILUMINA!” Dream screeched before looking at Technoblade with an embarrassed look. He didn’t have any time to react as Dream bolted up from his seat and started chasing after his team mate. Everybody chose to not question the scene and just went on to mind their own business.
“Did Dream leave already?” Wilbur asks and Technoblade can only numbly nod his eyes attentively, trailing the blur who was still persistently chasing after their target.
“So you and Dream?”
“Not a word” Wilbur accepts his response in stride though Technoblade knows this won’t be the end of their conversation. But for now he lets himself smile as Dream finally tackled Illumina to the ground and another member of their team, probably their captain, he wasn’t so sure he didn’t really pay attention to these things until now, pulls them up to their feet where the rest of the team gather around.
It must be starting as Tommy watches in barely hidden nervousness as they are instructed to get to their places. Now he catches a glimpse of Technoblade and Wilbur on the bleachers, his younger brother visibly lights up at the sight of them and Wilbur elbow his side as if to say ‘I told you so’ He doesn’t give him the satisfaction of a response but he knows the brunette will take as a win anyway.
Technoblade sees Dream approach Tommy. The older says something that seemed to lift Tommy’s spirit as the younger rapidly nodded his head, though the exchange quickly turned as Dream reached out to ruffle Tommy’s hair which he quickly swatted away.
Dream turns around probably to go back to the side to observe when for a brief moment their eyes meet. Expecting a greeting he gives a small wave, though Dream only stares at him as an unfamiliar expression flashes on his features before he turns away.
Technoblade lets his hand drop to his side; he wasn't unfamiliar to disappointment, but this kind was different: it spreads in his chest and twists around inside of him as Dream disappears into the crowd. After that the event goes on with a blur.
Wilbur and Tommy easily enter in a conversation as they make their way back home, though through most of the trip he remained silent if either of them noticed the shift in his mood , they didn’t comment on it.
Dinner went over in a blur with the occasional ‘How was your day?’ from his parents, that pulled his mind out of his simmering thoughts.
And when he finally managed to lie down on his bed and gather his thoughts. His mind replayed the scene in his head as he tossed and turned throughout the night.
Technoblade turns around and reaches for his phone on his nightstand, he clicks it open only to see his empty home screen burning through his retinas. He waits for the tick of midnight expecting to see a familiar contact pop on.
Nothing.
Disappointed but not surprised, he puts his phone back and turns back around. Attempting to fall asleep even though his mind buzzed endlessly. Now somehow occupied with the image of dirty blond hair and kettle-like laughter.
God he has a lot to figure out, doesn't he.
#5
Dream was avoiding him.
Technoblade didn’t know what to make of this discovery as he clicks open his phone again only to be met with an empty screen. He knows he’d checked it more times that he could count at this point, having been caught staring at it at prolonged periods of time that at multiple points of the day someone has to shake him out of his own stupor but he can’t exactly swallow down the growing pit of anxiety the polls in his chest, everytime he was met with nothing but silence.
There was a sudden ache that was left from the sudden lack of a certain person’s presence.
The blonde had even skipped on their usual sessions, not appearing at their usual spot and yet Technoblade still ended up waiting for him everytime, hoping that one of these days Dream would appear by his seat by the window, his head propped up by his hand as he gazed out of the window before slowly turning to Technoblade’s soft approaching footsteps and greet him with that smile that makes his heart skip a beat.
He waits.
And waits.
And waits.
Until it's been two weeks since Technoblade has last caught a glimpse of him, and the ache in his chest only grows day by day. This is how Technoblade finds himself once again staring at Dream’s contact.
His finger slightly hovered over the keypad as he lamented on what to say. Technoblade can already hear a small voice that conspicuously sounds like Wilbur who was both making fun of him and asking him what was wrong.
Yeah no he can’t do that so he ended up just staring at the blinking cursor on his screen, half hoping that the right words would just magically appear out of nowhere so that he can set this whole thing behind him.
But it doesn’t.
Maybe between passing glances that turned to silent understanding. Technoblade had learned to care for Dream as more than just a friend.
Oh.
Oh.
God what was he doing.
Technoblade groaned in frustration as he turned his phone off, haphazardly throwing it on his bed and laying down. Ready to wallow in his own misery when a soft knock sounded on his door before it slowly creaked open.
He debated on just staying down but eventually propped his elbows up to slightly lean up to catch a glance on who was entering his room.
“Hi sweetheart, can I come in?” Technoblade let out a small sigh of relief before pulling his body in a sitting position. He takes off his shoes and tucks his legs under him as he gives a soft “Yeah” in reply.
Kristin slowly walks in his room, carefully looking around to see if anything has changed in terms of decor. Except for the growing stacks of books, and papers on his desk and added sticky notes on his bulletin board there was nothing worth noting. The door slowly clicked closed behind her.
Ever since he and Wilbur got separated rooms after they’ve argued on what can and can’t be in it. The twins finally got their own spaces by the time they were in middle school which was around the time that they got their own separate hobbies.
Technoblade’s room was more like a library if anything with bookshelves filled to the brim with books. Mostly fiction and subjects which he’d taken interest in and it almost always smelled like freshly brewed coffee with how often he has pulled all nighters and spilled said drink from being sleep deprived and losing his balance.
He usually loved staying here, his own little pocket hidden away from the world. But now it feels achingly empty though that space seemed to be filled for now with Kristin’s presence who took a seat at the foot of his bed.
He can feel the worry radiated only from a knowing mother who can sense when something is wrong with her children. But she doesn’t say anything, giving him the chance to speak his mind. Even without looking up he knows there would be a small but comforting smile stretched on her lips. One that he’s seen throughout his life, that never failed to give him a sense of safety. Gathering his courage he asks.
“How did you know you love dad?”
Technoblade raises his head as a look of mild surprise crosses her face., he can almost see the dots connecting in her mind as he waits in bated breath for her answer.
“Well…” Kristen cautiously starts “What do you know?”
Technoblade felt a little impatient, not really expecting that kind of reply. Kristen always seemed to have some underlying message when she speaks, like her words hold unparalleled wisdom that he can’t quite phantom. Like she knows something he doesn’t which is often the case, but his annoyance disappears almost instantly when she reaches out and runs her finger through his hair, which he always kept long knowing how she loved tying it back for him, instinctually leaning into it letting out a heavy breath.
“Didn’t dad say he fell in love with you at first sight?” His mom lets out a small fond chuckle. The soft melodic sound echoed through the walls.
“Oh the same couldn’t be said with me. I wanted nothing to do with him.” Kristin
“Really?” Technoblade was familiar with his parent’s love story, the stories usually there to satisfy their young and curious minds though this was the first time he’d heard this. Usually it was his dad who told them. His mom is more than happy to bask and listen in the gleeful ramble of her beloved.
“Mhm.” Kristen hums, in confirmation only deepening his confusion.
“I’ve rejected him a handful of times actually.”
“Just how many exactly…?”
Kristin takes a moment to recount “About five – No eight times.”
“You rejected dad eight times?!”
“Now you know where you and your brothers got it from.” She laughs and Technoblade laughs along with her. Though he still can’t seem to control his still frazzled nerves. Kristin takes quick note of this as she clasps his fumbling hands with her own.
“Techno.. Love is complicated. It hits you without knowing and it can be scary. Yes” Warm hazel meets icy blue. Technoblade questions if all mothers have the ability to look into souls. To know what kind of worry lurks within and know just what to say to ease them. Or maybe it's just a unique feature Kristen Craft has. He could be biassed.
“Love is not without its risk” His mom fondly rubs her thumb on his cheek, her smile never faltering “But it's better to have tried than never having tried at all. It worked for me and your father after all.”
“What if I fall?” Technoblade whispers, the small confession making Kristen’s heart ache for her son, who she pulls into a hug.
Technoblade lets himself relax into the warm embrace, the action so achingly familiar that it instantly pulls him into a fond childhood memory, vague wisps of him resting his head on her chest as his mom softly hums a lullaby under her breath, rocking his small form back and forth lulling him back to sleep.
He barely remembers the lyrics now and he had outgrown her for years now but the melody is forever ingrained in his mind, hearing the tune reverberate in the small confined space.
His mom between the faint tunes of nostalgia offers him a few hushed words of wisdom that leads him to fully set his mind on his decision.
“Oh sweetheart, we’re always falling.”
+1
Dream is no stranger to love.
And yet it still amazes him how much meaning four letters could hold.
The word has meant so many things throughout his life. How he associated it with the color pink and scent of coffee and freshly pressed ink. He didn’t know.
But somehow it did.
Technoblade was always someone he’d admired, even if it was at a distance. Perhaps that’s when it all started; admiration. His own curiosity with the infamous top student of their grade, popular yet seemingly untouchable despite being Wilbur’s twin, the brothers hold no resemblance.
Dream honestly found it hard to believe at first that they were related, of course he never said those thoughts out loud.
He wasn’t very sociable, it was obvious by the fact that Wilbur had to practically drag an unwilling Technoblade to the cafeteria. Even then as he sat by the lunch table, he spoke minimally only occasionally speaking when brought into conversation though quickly evaded, stopping any attempts to it with an aura of disinterest before discreetly slipping away.
It drew Dream closer. Like a moth to a flame, he dared to tread closer. He didn’t particularly like studying, didn’t really see any reason to climb the ranks just as long as he was passing he at least needed to get decent scores to stay in the track team.
So to those closest to him, they knew his sudden interest in academics was all due to one person.
Sapnap and George did not relent on their teasing, even as Dream denied all of their accusations of a growing crush. Maybe he should have listened to them, there were times that the two knew him more than himself.
Perhaps his longest friends have spotted the blooming ends of infatuation growing under the facade of lighthearted rivalry.
Dream did not expect that his feelings would become more, he had always thought he’d remain as a rival, someone who came competed with Technoblade. They silently waged war over each other as their names interchanged with each passing quarter. But he became greedy, that proved to be the start of his downfall.
He promised himself just one more glance.
And he got it on their encounter on the rooftop, the way he held his breath as Technoblade’s vermillion eyes held his gaze. Neither wanting to break eye contact first and Dream has never been too thankful for his mask as he pulled it up to spare himself some dignity. Even as he stepped back and let himself fall, his hand gripping on the rickety metal of the old fire escape that eased him back down the ground, Dream didn’t dare look at Technoblade directly, deciding that that would be the last of his escapades.
Then the first session at the library happened where he found himself barely focusing on the words as Technoblade’s voice alone occupied his mind. Dream caught his hand hovering in the air, his fingertips barely brushing against the seemingly soft pink strands as Technoblade remained hopefully oblivious to the dilemma the blond was going through.
‘What are you doing to me, Techno?’ Dream asks himself as he stares at the blinking text bubble at the bottom of his screen. He doesn’t even try to hide the giddy smile that he had as he excitedly types back a reply, even as the daunting slow ascent of sunrise creeps up in his window.
Everyday, every single moment he spent with Technoblade he felt himself falling.
It wasn’t a small little harmless crush anymore.
And when he did. It terrified him.
So he did what any rational teenager would do.
He avoided Technoblade, hoping that avoidance would just be enough so he can push it aside and hope that when this is all said and done he could come back to their talks, their jokes, and banter and not have his heart threaten to jump of his chest and his face permanently flustered.
Dream thought that this would be for the best. That it would have been better to preserve this new budding friendship than watch it all crumble apart because he couldn’t keep it together. He ignored Sapnap and George as they tried to call him out for his idiotic acts of self-preservation. He ignores the way his mom looks at him sadly but says nothing as she gazes at him with a knowing look.
He ignores the fact that Technoblade has tried on more than one occasion to try to talk to him, to find a reason for his sudden change in behaviour. Dream runs away desperately trying to cradle his fragile heart.
One cloudy afternoon he sits by the ledge of the rooftop, the classrooms were always so suffocating for him and he ends up here anyways. Dream fiddles with the ends of his mask that lay in his hands, staring off at a distance. Even as small droplets start cascading down he remains unmoving, finding comfort in cool rain. He closes his eyes as the water runs down through his hair down his face, letting out a breath wishing it could wash all of his growing worries and fear away.
“I thought I could find you here.” Dream dares to open his eyes, and meets Technoblade’s eyes, threatening to pierce through his soul. The pinkette looks down at him with an umbrella just slightly tilted forward to shield him from the rain.
“You’re going to get sick.” Technoblade mutters, a frown that is etched on his lips. “Come on. Let’s get you out of the rain” He offers his hand out and Dream looks at it numbly. Every alarm in his head is telling him to run the other way, to run, jump, anything just get away. Don’t take it. Don’t be so stupid Dream, you can’t –
Dream lets himself get pulled to his feet, his body swaying precariously over the ledge slightly before Technoblade’s firm grasp steadies him.
It was warm, his mind supplies, as Dream is tugged to the direction of the exit. “Why are you here?” He asks “Do I need a reason?” Technoblade replies back this time and Dream goes silent again, his mind simmering with a million thoughts, he becomes aware of multiple things at once as the door clicks close behind them.
Technoblade was slightly damp by the rain, his clothes clinging slightly on his figure making Dream look away before his mind wanders. Dream’s mask was also gone, left forgotten in the rain, no longer able to be of use to him now as he sure his cheeks were tinted red.
He hears Technoblade inch closer followed by a feeling of something being draped across his shoulder. It smelled faintly of grass, and leather with hints of coffee clinging stubbornly on the fabric. Technoblade had wrapped his jacket around Dream.
“Are you sick already, nerd?” Dream’s breath hitches as Technoblade presses his hand against his forehead, if he wasn’t flustered before he sure is now. His brain short circuiting as Technoblade worried gaze flickers on to him. With how close they are, Dream could feel every huff of breath against his skin, his own eyes wandering to how Technoblade’s lips were pulled into a thin line.
Even now the feelings he had tried to stubbornly push away were threatening to jump out of Dream’s chest. The urge to close the distance between them strong, to just say fuck it and try.
Was it okay to?
Dream risks a touch, his ice cold fingertips grazing on Technoblade’s cheek. The pinkette lets off a soft questioning hum as their gazes meet once again. They stay there for a few moments before Dream flinches in surprise as Technoblade’s warm hand engulfs his own.
Maybe it's the fact that he feels his heart hammering against his chest.
Or the scent of coffee filling his senses.
Dream takes the leap,closing his eyes before closing the distance between him and, prepared to be pushed away. He waits and waits and waits, and Technoblade freezes for a second, surprised but Dream stills his heart for rejection but then Technoblade kisses back, hesitant and clumsy but he does, pressing Dream closer to him not minding the fact that his clothes were soaked. He cradles Dream’s face in his hands, calloused but warm and gentle just how Dream always envisioned it would be.
Oh god he was kissing Technoblade.
Dream has kissed other people before, he’d had different partners in his life, some short and fleeting, while the others hurt like hell.
He always did learn love foolishly, he always hoped that they were the ‘one’. The one person he’d spend his entire life with, he’d imagine a wedding, maybe not a kid but a cat and a dog, a house where they’d dance around in when they’re wrinkly and old.
Each and every single one of them he’d hoped this is it, this is the one, and he’d fail every single time. Like how he failed to stop himself from falling in love bit by bit everytime he met Technoblade.
Was this love?
Is this what he’s been waiting for?
Dream asks himself that when they finally separate to catch their breath, Technoblade was still cradling his face and when he opens his eyes, Technoblade was smiling wildly at him “You know I was planning on doing that.” And Dream laughed, a small giggle at first before he was doubling back with laughter, clutching onto Technoblade for balance till his sides hurt. He hears a deep reverberating chuckle resounding when he leans against his chest.
“I thought you didn’t feel the same!” Dream remarked, slowly gaining back his composure, though for extra measure there were hands that held him tenderly by the waist, he tried not to blush harder from that.
“I can’t believe that you were emoting on the roof cause you thought I didn’t like you back” Dream groaned, already feeling this was gonna be a teasing point for their relationship. Now that he thought about it, they still needed to talk about what they were now. They'd inadvertently confessed but for now Dream only had one thing in mind.
“Shut up and kiss me again” Dream demanded now with a hint of a smile growing.
Technoblade smirks “As you wish”
And they meet again like clashing fireworks, giddy knowing they were both learning what love was -
Together.