Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Techno groans as he sits back down and readjusts himself against Steve’s oddly warm body. The cabin is relatively quiet other than the crackle of the fire dancing in front of Techno and the huff that Steve lets out at the pinkette leaning his shift against the great creature, soon to be joined by the gentle shink as Techno begins to drag his knife’s blade across the whetstone freshly in his hand.

It’s a quiet night. Peaceful. Almost as if all the noise of the world has been blocked out.

Though that makes sense. The snowiest season of the year has just begun and snowstorms are becoming more prevalent. Tonight isn’t a horribly snowy night but it’s predicted to be quite the snowfall that Techno is sure won’t end for a couple of days. Snowfall has always seemed to leave the world so quiet even if it feels as though Techno can hear the flakes hitting the roof of his small cabin, almost like white noise to Techno.

The animals are taken care of with enough food to last the week and, at this time of night, should be asleep so there are no chitters from the foxes, no wanton barks from the wolves, the bears are quiet and it seems that even the creatures and villagers in Techno’s basement are silent. Phil and Wilbur are out visiting Kristin and Ranboo is somewhere, probably with Tubbo in Snowchester.

Techno sighs and puts his whetstone and knife down on one of the chests next to him as he rests his head back against Steve. The god is more than willing to fall asleep, here and now. What with logs freshly resting in the fireplace that crackles warmth into the small room and the giant polar bear against his back that moves Techno’s body oh so slightly with every breath and slight snore that the bear lets out. The silence and the fact that Techno hasn’t slept in a couple of days now.

Hibernation sounds quite wonderful right now, even if it ends in Techno being extremely sore when his body decides to wake up.

Though, unfortunately for Techno, a knock on his door breaks his peace. It’s three swift raps of knuckle against his door that is entirely unexpected. The previously calm man grabs the knife that he had previously set down on the chest and flung up, rousing Steve awake in the process--though the polar bear doesn’t do much but huff once again.

Techno stands up and silences his steps as he makes his way to the window nearest his front door, the one that looks over his front porch and steps. Who the hell would be knocking on his--Techno of all people--door at this time of night. The people that live here, Phil and Ranboo, wouldn’t bother knocking. They’d either go to their own houses until the morning or just waltz right in for whatever they needed. It couldn’t be Dream either, he tends to appear in Techno’s windows with his mask off and a smirk on his scarred, annoying face.

Taking a peek out the window, Techno forces his eyes to focus considering he’s not wearing his glasses. And there, standing at his door is…

Sapnap? And a random child?

Why is Sapnap of all people here?

Nonetheless, Techno sighs. He knows that Sapnap has done some less than favourable things to him, and vice versa, but…

Sapnap, a netherborn, is outside during a snowstorm in the coldest season of the year. Not to mention there’s a teenager with him.

Now, Techno has a problem with orphans, and children themselves, but he can’t deny that he has a soft spot for teens.

So the pinkette sighs and moves to open the door, placing the knife down on his kitchen counter while he’s in motion. He creaks the door open so as to not let the cold in and looks at the door at his doorstep through the relatively small area of open space.

“What do you want, Sapnap?” Techno mutters through the space, “And who is this?”

Sapnap lets out a breath, albeit shaky, and searches desperately through the crack in the door, “Please Techno, let us in. I’ll explain later but please.” Techno sighs, conflicted. On one hand, he and Sapnap have bad blood and he isn’t being told the reason they’re here up front. On the other hand, Techno isn’t a horrible person--even though people may portray him that way--and he understands that no netherborn should be out in a snowstorm without proper clothing; Techno’s quite jealous, he’s seen Phil and Ranboo walk around without a second layer on (damn Enderians and their ability to thrive in cold temperatures).

After a few more seconds of deliberation, Techno sighs and opens the door more for the two to come in, “Fine, come in. You can sit by the fire. Want something warm to drink?”

Sapnap offers a soft, yet reluctant, smile and slowly walks into the cabin. The teen with him offers a much more confident smile and walks in behind Sapnap. The ravenette toes off his shoes and goes to sit by the fire, “Coffee for me, please. Bill, you want some tea?” The teen nods and follows Sapnap’s actions. The two walk over to the fireplace while Techno moves to his tiny kitchen to put some water in the kettle. Though the pinkette looks over to the two to see them staring reluctantly at the polar bear that’s quite happily asleep in front of the fireplace.

“He doesn’t bite.” Techno informs them, “He’s asleep right now anyways so you won’t get much reaction out of him.” The pinkette moves to grab some blankets from the cabinet he has downstairs, coming back upstairs and offering them to the two now sitting in front of the fireplace, “‘s hibernatin’ season anyways. Yer not gonna get much reaction outta him.”

Sapnap sighs and lays back against the polar bear, “Fuck, is it really?”

Techno nods, heading to check on the water, “Mhm.” Deciding the water is close enough to boil, he grabs some mugs and begins preparing their drinks, making sure to grab one for himself. He fishes out the coffee that they never use and his favourite tea as well as the herbal tea that Phil keeps stocked up even though neither of them drink herbal tea.

“You feelin’ it too?” Sapnap asks, and when Techno looks over at him it seems to be directed toward both him and the kid.

Techno nods, pouring the now-boiled water into each respective mug. He brings the two mugs for Sapnap and the kid to his guests and hands them off before going to put another log on the fire, “Been hittin’ me hard.” After the log is settled, he stands up to grab his own mug of tea then he sits down next to Sapnap and the kid, trying to keep a good distance between them, “Now, tell me who this kid is and why you’re here.”

Sapnap sighs, taking a sip of his coffee, “Well… this is Billzo. I may have uhm… found him in the nether and pulled a Bad.”

Techno raises an eyebrow, “You adopted him without second thought?” Sapnap nods sheepishly and Techno rolls his eyes, “Like father like son, though I can’t blame you…”

“What do you mean?”

“Phil has three children for a reason.” He shrugs, “So why are you two here?”

Sapnap sighs, “Because we were out to gather some materials from the Nether and I was getting exhausted while on the way back and almost passed out near your portal. I figured that Phil would be willing to let me stay for the night… but he wasn’t home so we tried your house.”

“You almost passed out?” Techno asks, ready to check over Sapnap for injury.

“I’m assuming it was hibernation.” He shrugs, “Your portal was just the nearest and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to make it home.”

The pinkette sighs, “Fine, you two can stay for as long as you need. Though, don’t expect much of me.”

“Is there a place where we can sleep?” Billzo asks, speaking up for the first time tonight.

Techno sighs again, “I can pull out the couch but it’ll only fit one of ya. One of y’all will hafta sleep on the floor with Steve.”

“That’s fine.” The teen says, “Sapnap, you can sleep on the couch, I’ll sleep with Steve.”

The ravenette looks unsure, “Are you sure Bill?”

Billzo nods, “You’re being more affected than I am right now. Sleep on the couch. Plus, Steve is comfortable.” Techno, not necessarily caring of the decision that the two come to, goes over to his old-ish couch and pulls out the bed that he and Phil built into the couch when he first got it. He moves to grab some pillows, putting his mug in the sink while he’s up. He lays out a couple more blankets on the couch alongside the pillows now sitting on the couch.

“I don’t care who sleeps on the couch.” Techno adds onto their conversation, “Either way, you both have blankets and pillows. If you get cold you can tell me, I’m not a grumpy waker, and if you two end up staying for more than just tonight I can go over to Phil’s to grab another mattress if you don’t mind the couch.”

“Thank you Techno.” Sapnap offers a soft smile. Techno shrugs, grabs the now empty mugs sitting on the floor by the two other Netherborns and takes them to the sink as well.

“No problem,” the pinkette says, “I’m going to be heading to bed soon. Do you two need sleep clothes?”

“Would you have anything that would fit us?” Billzo asks, looking up and down Techno’s body. The pinkette does happen to be quite a bit larger than both of them, as piglins tend to be compared to blazes.

The man shrugs, “I could probably find something. I have some of Ghostbur’s clothes, though they might be a bit big as well. I could maybe grab some of Tommy’s old clothes if I need to. Those will fit you kid, but I don’t know about you Sapnap.” He thinks for a moment before turning to fully address Sapnap, “I can look around Phil’s house to see if he still has some of his old clothes.”

“It’d be nice but you don’t have to.”

“It’s settled then.” Techno nods with a challenging smirk, “Give me a minute kid, I’ll be back with some clothes for you to try.” The pinkette then disappears. He scrounges around the hole under his basement where Tommy and Ghostbur stayed for a while, grabbing a couple shirts and a pair of sweats, bringing them back up and handing them to Billzo, “The bathroom is up the ladder and the door on the left. You can leave your clothes in the basket in there.” The teen nods, takes the clothes, and heads up the ladder and moments later Techno can hear the door shut. The pinkette then looks to Sapnap, “For tonight you can have some of my clothes, I don’t have that many older clothes so they may be big on you. Again, if you two stay longer than I can look through Phil’s house.”

The ravenette nods, “Seriously, thank you Techno.”

“It’s no problem.” The man nods, “Follow me, let’s find you some sleep clothes.” He gestures to the ladder and starts climbing after a few seconds with Sapnap soon behind him. As Techno is reaching for his bedroom door the bathroom door opens and Billzo steps out of the room. Techno stops his action and turns to the kid, “You find something that fit?”

Billzo nods, “Yeah. These ones didn’t fit me,” he gestures to the pile of clothes in his hands, “but the ones I’m wearing fit alright.” Techno nods and takes the pile of clothes that belonged to Ghostbur and takes them into his room to set them on the couch chair he has near his bookshelves. He moves to his overly fancy drawer and grabs a soft t-shirt from one of the drawers, then grabbing a pair of his work pants, he hands them to Sapnap and closes his drawers.

“Who are Tommy and Ghostbur?” Billzo suddenly asks, making Techno look at the teen.

“They’re Phil’s, my neighbor’s, kids.” Techno shrugs as he goes over to fold Ghostbur’s old clothes, “Well, Ghostbur is the ghost version of one of his kids. There was a while there where Tommy and Ghostbur stayed in my basement and so I still have some of their clothes.”

“Why were they staying in your basement?” Sapnap asks, coming into the room and standing in the doorway, now wearing Techno’s clothes that absolutely swallowed him up. Luckily for Techno, most of the voices were sleeping due to the exhaustion they share with him; he knows for a fact that they’d be freaking out and making comments.

“Because Tommy was on the run from Dream or something so he built himself a cave under my house without my knowing and Ghostbur had a tendency to stick around here so Tommy built him a cove to stay in within his hole in my basement.” Techno shrugs and looks at Sapnap, “Those alright for you tonight?”

Sapnap nods, “They should be, thank you again.”

“No problem. You two ready to settle down?” They nod and Techno nods back. The three go back down to the main floor of Techno’s cabin. The two staying over go to settle themselves down while Techno throws a couple more logs on the fire. After a bit more time Sapnap and Billzo are settled and Techno gives them one last reminder to wake him if either of them need anything before disappearing into his room.

~~~~~

Sapnap wakes up the next morning, warm, dreary, and smelling something absolutely delightful. He takes a moment to focus his eyes, lying still in comfort; peaceful at the warmth, good nights rest, and the nice smell of whatever is emitting it. Once his eyes clear of the sleepy fog that was previously there, he realizes that he doesn’t know where he is. He sits up slowly so as to not alarm anyone that may be in the room with him, his eyes scanning the room as fast as possible, his sights eventually ending up on…

Oh.

That’s right.

He and his recently adopted child were staying in Techno’s house for, at least, the night.

And now Techno is standing in the kitchen in front of his stove with a couple of things of unknown nature on the stove. There are a couple things, both empty and being filled, on his counter.

So that’s what smells good. Techno, clearly having heard the man sitting up, looks to Sapnap, “Oh good morning.” His voice is rough, clearly from being unused this morning, and quiet, “I’m making breakfast, I wasn’t sure what you and the kid would like so I’m making something basic. I have some coffee for you.” The man then breaks from the stove and hands the ravenette a mug of pure bliss--at least in Sapnap’s mind.

“We’re not picky.” Sapnap says, “But thank you.”

“You don’t need to keep thanking me,” Techno says, pulling a pancake off of the pan and placing it on a plate with a couple other pancakes already on it and going to put more batter on, “However, I do have a question.”

“What is it?”

Techno shoots him a look before he stirs something around in one of the other pans and moves to turn off that specific burner, “How did you know I’d take you in? You said that you were intending to ask Phil but since he wasn’t home you went with me. Did you just take it as a chance or? I thought you didn’t like me or trust me?”

Sapnap sighs, that was a loaded question, “Because I knew that you wouldn’t let anyone in a bad position stay in that bad place.”

“How do you know what?” Techno asks, looking at him and keeping his eyes on him this time. He furrows his eyebrows, “That’s not something I let on.”

The ravenette sighs once again, “That’s a long story.”

In response, the pinkette glances out the window before moving his gaze back to his cooking, “We’ve got time. The storm hit harder than expected and we’re snowed in.” He then turns off two burners, places the pancake he just finished on the plate, and leans his hip against the counter, “And we’ve now got breakfast. Hopefully enough for all three of us.”

“What’d you make?” Sapnap chooses to ask, pushing himself up from the couch he was sitting on.

Techno moves from the stove and grabs a plate to hand to Sapnap, “Eggs, pancakes, and hashbrowns.”

“No bacon o-” Sapnap starts, though he stops himself at the realization, “Shit, sorry.”

However, instead of getting angry (which is making Sapnap realize that he’s never actually seen Techno angry. Upset? Yes. Vengeful? Of course. Hurt from betrayal? Literally all the time. But never angry), the pinkette chuckles, “You’re good. Piglins and zombie piglins are actually not as closely related to hoglins and pigs as most think, it’s actually common for piglins to attack hoglins for both food and sport. Pigs are cannibals anyways.”

“Oh thank god, I didn’t want to u- wait what?”

The pinkette ignores him and moves to set the couch back up as a couch, “Serve yourself. I made plenty of hashbrowns and set aside some pancakes for the kid. No bacon because I don’t have much access to pigs out here.” Sapnap nods, both trying to process the new information and shove it away for later processing. He grabs himself a serving of food and sits down on the couch, watching as Techno does the same.

The pinkette takes a bite of his hashbrowns and looks at Sapnap expectantly, “You’re story?”

Said man sighs, finishes his bite, and takes a moment to think as to how he’s going to tell this story, “This goes back to when Dream escaped prison.”

“When I broke Dream out of prison?” Techno corrects, both as a question and a statement, “Which is why I’m sure you’d hate me- well, that and the whole betraying the country and destroying and harming everything you’ve ever loved but…”

Sapnap nods, electing to ignore the second statement made by the man, “When you broke Dream out of prison. As you know, I met up with Dream in Snowchester and we got into an argument which turned into a fight, but I think you had left by then. By the way, you working with Tubbo was completely unexpected.”

“It was also with Eret, but there was a common denominator.”

“Either way, we got into quite the fight that lasted about a week which ended in me capturing him. Since then I’ve been forcing him into a rehab type thing with Puffy and I managing it. Puffy recommended that part of the rehab should be me just listening to him. To his plans, to his story, to his time in the prison, the like. Listening to him without getting upset or lashing out on him. Treating him like a friend, like I once did.” Sapnap sighs, taking a moment to take a couple bites and finish off his coffee. Techno, albeit while still eating, is watching him intently; he’s invested in the story and probably trying to figure out the next step in the story. Analyzing him, figuring out how he came to the conclusion that Techno wasn’t as cold as he made himself out to be.

Sapnap finishes off his break and picks up the story again, “And so I did. And he told me a lot about you. How you guys weren’t friends but were more friendly rivals. He told me about the jokes that you guys shared and the way that you talked about people, how you two supported each other more than anyone realized. He told me about you guys’ time in the prison, and god did I want to kill Quackity and Sam for what they did to you and Dream, even if I didn’t like either of you. He told me about the jokes you two shared, how you offered nothing but kindness and a sense of normalcy to him and how you told him stories about your life.”

“Stories like what?” Techno asks, eyes scanning Sapnap for a moment before he finishes off his meal and places his plate on the table near the arm of the couch.

“Like your time at war and your friendship with Phil, the people and the animals that you two have taken in. And your perspective of the wars.” He sighs, “He also told me that you told him plenty of mythology stories and talked a lot about things that you were super interested in but he couldn’t remember a lot about them.”

“So, what does that have to do with you staying with me.”

“It made me realize that you were genuinely a kind person and that you and Dream were just doing what you thought was right.”

Techno smiles, “I’m glad someone else was able to figure that out. So, you’re telling me you figured I’d help you because you trusted Dream?”

“Because he’s making progress.” Sapnap says, setting his now empty plate down as well, “He’s returning back to the Dream I know, though Puffy says he’ll never be the same.”

Techno sighs, “Wilbur's the same way.”

“What do you mean?”

“After he got revived he came and stayed with Phil, he still does every once in a while. He’s still Wilbur, not quite like how Ghostbur was, but in a way… he’s different.” Techno sighs, “I don’t know how to describe it, but it feels like after I watched his descent into insanity, I’ll never look at him the same way. I know he’s getting better but…”

“He’ll always be that way in your mind?” Sapnap says, almost in a question, “Dream’s the same way.”

Techno nods, “That’s the best way to describe it. Who we knew them as before has traumatised us and we’ll always have those pieces of memories of what they once were.” They sit in silence for a moment before Techno shakes his head, probably ridding it of the sad train of thoughts he’s got going on, and stands up. He takes both his and Sapnap’s dishes and takes them over to the sink, “The kid awake yet?”

Sapnap stands up and checks on Billzo, “Not yet.”

“That’s alright, let ‘im sleep.” Techno shrugs, going to fill the sink with some water so he can start the dishes, “I’m not sure yer gonna get outta here anytime soon so might as well let the kid sleep.”

“Tha-” Sapnap starts, but stops himself, “Alright. Is there anything I can do to help out?”

The pinkette shrugs, “Not really. There’s not much that we can do right now. I’ll shovel the porch and path to Phil’s house, maybe Ranboo’s but other than that, there’s nothing.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I am.” Techno sends him a glance, “I’ll grab you guys some clothes here in a bit. If you want to do something then you can sharpen some of my weapons. I’ve got an axe that I’ve been meaning to fix up with but I haven’t been quite able to figure out how to sharpen it. You use a labrys yeah?” Sapnap nods, suddenly excited at the idea of getting to see Techno’s weapons. Not for underlying reasons, he has just heard that piglins, especially Techno, are excellent metalsmiths and he wants to see the creations that many fear.

“Yeah I can do that. I can show you how to sharpen an axe?”

Techno nods back, “Sounds good.” And with that, the morning continues. Sapnap lays down on the couch and dozes off once again while Techno finishes off his dishes and goes out to shovel at least the path to Phil’s house from his after ensuring that the kid got his breakfast once he woke up. Both blaze hybrids are awake when the pinkette comes back in and sheds himself of his boots and cloak.

“While I was out I got you some clothes to change into Sapnap. I don’t know how well they’ll fit, but it’ll probably be better than mine.” The piglin informs the shortest of the three, offering him a pile of clothes for the man to try. He then turns to Billzo as Sapnap stands up and goes to change, “I’ll grab you some more clothes.” The teen nods and Techno disappears into the basement to grab some more of Tommy’s old clothes, bringing them up and handing them to the kid.

Eventually both hybrids come back down and Techno makes them a quick lunch and Sapnap perks up, “Can I sharpen your weapons now?”

The pinkette nods, “Yeah, most of what you need is outside in the horse pen. Help me grab the weapons?” Sapnap nods and asks Billzo to help them as well. The three collect what needs to be sharpened and Techno leads them outside where he brings out two chairs for them as well. After they’re settled, Techno heads back in and grabs his laundry basket, his washboard basin filled with water, and joins the two outside. They work in relative silence other than Sapnap watching over Billzo as he sharpens and giving him instructions every once in a while.

“These weapons are fuckin’ impressive, Techno.” Sapnap says as he looks over the sword he was going to sharpen.

“Thank you, it took a long time to make them.”

“What are the engravings on them?” Billzo asks. When Techno looks up, he’s running his hand along the fuller of the sword.

“They’re runes.” Techno informs. He pushes himself away from his work and heads over to the two sitting at the other end of the stable, “Piglins enchant our swords not only with the regular enchantments but also with runes that have meaning to piglins.” He traces his finger over some of the runes, telling them what they mean as he goes, then he flips over the sword, “This side just says ‘Orphan Obliterator’ in piglin.

“That’s an interesting name for your sword.” The teen says.

Techno just offers a meek smile, “It goes with the brand.”

Sapnap just stares for a moment before going, “I can’t believe I get to see your legendary sword up close. My blood has been on this sword.”

Techno chuckles, “So has most people’s blood. I could show you Toothpick as well.”

Sapnap gives him a perplexed look, “Toothpick?”

“The one I put through Quackity’s teeth?” The pinkette raises an eyebrow with a cocky smirk. He then stands, but instead of going inside to receive his pickaxe, he just wanders back over to where he was working on laundry, finishing up with the load that he was doing. He takes the pile that he had folded over the edge of his basket and brings it inside and into the floor of his basement that he uses for drying things. After they’re all set up he heads back up and into the stable that Carl used to be in, taking another chair so he can sit and watch Sapnap and Billzo work.

However, he notices that the two are shivering and feels the need to bring it up, “Are you two cold?” He hadn’t noticed them shivering before, but he also wasn’t paying the most attention to him.

Billzo looks up at him, pausing his previous motion of sharpening one of Techno’s knives, “A bit yeah.” Sapnap nods alongside him, probably focusing on his work.

Techno nods, “I’ll grab you guys some cloaks. It’ll help keep you warm.” Then he’s up and disappearing back into his cabin before either of them can object. He grabs some cloaks, two older cloaks that he hasn’t worn in a long time but are still fur lined since he’s spent a lot of time in colder climates. The piglin then takes them back down, handing them to his guests. Sapnap takes it but startles at the colour of the specific cloak handed to him.

“It’s blue?”

“Yeah?” Techno says, forgetting that not everyone knows about his and Phil’s coup and his once dictatorship--although that may come as a shock to most that know him as an anarchist.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you wearing blue, especially not this light of blue.”

Techno smiles, “That’s from a long time ago.”

“Tell me about it.”

The man snorts at his story, “A long time ago I joined a server with other famous people where we made our own factions. I, as a greedy young man, decided that I wanted it all. I took over an island that had a huge stronghold that I made a home within and began ruling with Phil and another friend by our side.”

“A stronghold?” Billzo asks.

“Oh a mighty thing,” Techno smirks, leaning in and getting close, “A huge cavern within the main mountain of the island that was filled with confusing pathways and minecart rails used for transferring minerals. There were layers upon layers of that mighty cavern and even a portal, though we never found out where the portal went. People from all over the server flocked to see our stronghold but our army three men strong was mighty and slayed them before they even had the chance.

“It was called the Antarctic Empire and we were untouchable, we were feared, we were strong. I had claimed many islands prior to starting the Empire alongside Phil but hadn’t officially claimed it as my own, until one day.” He smiles, leaning back in his chair, “Phil and I had access to airplanes, something that had been created and provided to us while on the server, and we claimed the whole world. Many people were on and they watched as Phil and I flew over all the land of the server, claiming chunk after chunk gladly.”

“What were the consequences?” Sapnap asks, “Or did you just rule the world?”

“Oh no we didn’t. Phil and I did it entirely for fun, we just wanted world domination, even for a moment. Wilbur demanded to see me, Phil, and our friend on trial the day of the domination and tried to prosecute us. We came to an agreement and Phil and I left with our satisfaction and returned back to our Empire.”

“That’s so fuckin’ cool!” The youngest of them all shouts, getting excited at the story, “Do you have any pictures? Any news articles? I’m sure this was a big thing at the time.”

“I might.” Techno hums, trying to recall what he and Phil have in the boxes in their attics, things from their collective past that they’ve thrown up there as they’ve aged, “It’ll take a bit of looking but I’m sure I could find something.”

“But… aren’t you a severe anarchist?” Sapnap asks, confusion lacing his voice, “Y’know, down with L’manburg. Theseus? Killing Tubbo, destroying our homes?”

Techno smiles, “A couple of the people on this server were on that one as well and they were just as confused.” His smile drops slightly and he shrugs, “That was a long time ago, years and years into my younger life. I’ve since spent a lot of time fighting wars and going against governments while working with others. It made me realize how corrupt the system was and I came to despise governmental figures. My world domination was because I thought it was fun and I wanted to be able to say I’ve conquered the world before, my anarchy is because I’ve been given experience.”

“Makes sense, but where does the blue come in?”

“That was our colours. Light blue and white. No red, other than the blood of the people that tried us.” He shrugs again and leans forward, “Now, show me how to sharpen that axe will ya?”

Chapter Text

Days later, Sapnap and Billzo were feeling alright enough to head back to Kinoko and the storm had cleared up a bit. The three said their goodbyes; after a few words were exchanged, the two took off in the direction of Techno’s portal and disappeared into the landscape. And Techno thought that was it, that he’d never encounter them again, that life would go on as it was.

Phil and Wilbur returned two days after and the three sat in Phil’s house and talked about their time. Phil and Wil told Techno about how Kristin was doing and some of the things that they did while they were away. Techno talked about the storm that kept him inside most of the time as well as the amount of rest he was able to get--which Phil was quite glad to hear that his friend had gotten some sleep. But then Wil asked what he had done while he was locked in, other than sleeping, and Techno had lied to them easily. They accepted his answer of just reading and doing household chores.

To get out of any further questioning, Techno let them know that he still had a couple things that he had yet to do while recovering from the effects of the storm, such as chopping down some more trees for wood as he deplenished more of his stock than he was expecting to (though that was probably because he kept the fire blazing longer and much hotter than he normally wood so as to not freeze the others staying with him). Phil nodded, told him to do what he needed to, and he left.

Though, unfortunately for Techno, nothing can go as he’s expecting and while he’s out chopping wood--he wasn’t lying but he did want an excuse to leave in that current moment--he sees a flash of bright green in the corner of his vision. Knowing full well that the green was most definitely not something naturally growing in the forest he called out, “Dream, you can come out. I know you’re here.”

A couple of seconds later, a quiet thud lets out, presumably as Dream jumps from the branch he was sitting on. The man’s quiet steps are only heard due to the soft crunch of the snow and twigs under his feet as he stalks closer to Techno from behind him. The pinkette turns around and rests his axe on his shoulder, sending the other man a raised eyebrow, “What do you want?”

Dream smiles, though it’s not as creepy as some of the ones that Techno’s seen on his maskless face; it’s more genuine, “Sapnap came back the other day and he told me that you had been kind to him and the kid.”

“Yeah? Are you coming to kill me or something because I was nice to yer friend?”

The blonde shakes his head, “No, I’m here to… th-” he clears his throat, “thank you.”

“Good effort.” Techno says with an amused huff.

Dream nods but sends Techno a glare that lacks any heat, “I care about him and was concerned when he hadn’t come back. He told me that you mentioned training with an axe and I wanted to give you this,” the blonde reaches into his inventory and pulls out an axe, he hands it out to the pinkette, “as a thank you for taking care of him.” Techno reluctantly takes the axe and twists it around in his hands, inspecting it. A small gasp escaped his lips as he turned it once more only to see ‘Axe of Peace’ engraved into the metal just above the shoulder.

“I thought this was destroyed in the explosions?”

Dream shakes his head with a smirk, “No, Tommy was able to save it and I… got it from him.”

“Took it from him by force.” Techno fills in for him with a nod.

“Yes…” the blonde says slowly before shaking his head again, “Either way I got it in my possession and was able to locate it after you got me out. Granted, I ran into Sapnap when I was getting it and… things happened but.”

“Well those things seem to have been good for you.” Techno says, looking the man up and down, “You look good, healthier.”

The blonde shrugs, “I’ve been getting help.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“But know that doesn’t mean I’m gonna stop trying to fight you.”

“I would hope so.” Techno smiles, “Thank you so much, seriously.”

“No problem, I’ve heard about the Axe of Peace and what Tommy did.” He shrugs again, “I figured now was a good time to get it to you… also Sapnap just recently let me out of where I’ve been staying. Said I was good enough to start integrating back into society.”

“That’s good man. Just never forget to not lose your thirst for blood.”

Dream nods, “Just learn to contain it.” Techno nods back. He thanks the blonde once again and Dream nods and walks away, disappearing into the woods despite the bright green hoodie he wears. Techno finishes chopping his wood and takes both the axe Ranboo gave him and the Axe of Peace and heads off to his house, ready to put the axes away and grab his cart for wood. He does so, catching Phil on the way out. The blonde decided to tag along and help Techno load up his cart.

Together they walk to where Techno has left his pile of wood waiting to be loaded up and Phil seems taken aback by the amount of wood that Techno chopped, “You were out here for a long time compared to the amount of wood you have. Is everything alright?”

Techno shrugs, not wanting to allude to the fact that he was talking with someone--let alone one of the people that Phil currently hates the most--and focuses on loading the cart, “I’m just still tired. Haven’t fully hibernated yet.”

“Mate, do you need me to take care of things for you so you can take care of yourself?” Phil asks, his tone both concerned and stern, like a father with a son who doesn’t know how to take care of himself--though that’s not that far off.

“Nah I’m alright. I’ll find time eventually.”

“You should go out again.” Phil says, helping load up the cart, “Like you did last time. Go out for as long as you need and let me take care of things.”

“I could but…”

“You should.” Phil says, firm and leaving no argument, “At least for a couple days. Get some rest without you having to worry about anything that is going on here.” Techno sighs, Phil isn’t going to give up anytime soon but Techno isn’t sure if he’s going to do that. Where would he go? He’s too far into hibernation season for him to be able to travel and set up a camp that’s good enough for him to be alright. Not many other people would accept him into their homes and that probably wouldn’t be the best case for him.

“I don’t know where I would stay.” Techno shrugs in response, “I can’t go out now and there aren’t many people that would take me into their home. And it’d probably stress me out more if I did find someone to stay with.”

“There’s no one? Nowhere?”

“Phil, you and Ranboo and maybe Wilbur are the only ones that like me.”

“Not Tubbo? Eret?”

“We may have worked together once but no.” Techno shakes his head, “I doubt Tubbo trusts me that much and that kid’s crazy. Not to mention Ranboo’s already there and I don’t want to disturb. Plus I’m sure they’re already dealing with one hibernating piglin with Micheal. I’m not sure I trust Eret yet and I’d probably feel off staying in a castle with someone that I’m on okay terms with.”

Phil sighs, “My god Techno. I don’t care where you end up, you need to leave the area. It feels like it’s the only thing that is beneficial to you during this time.”

Techno sighs back, “I’m not gonna go out and get myself killed because I left before I was prepared or when I wasn’t ready.”

“Well then figure something out, Techno.” Phil says, “I’m not gonna sit by and allow you to run yourself ragged. Again.” The blonde then turns around and walks away. Techno finishes loading up the cart and is getting ready to haul it back when he’s interrupted. Interrupted by crunching snow and snapping twigs behind him. He spins around, reaching for the knife that stays in his boots and holding the knife out towards the person, or thing, behind him. Only to see…

Dream?

“Why’re you here?” Techno asks, taking his knife down, “What are you doing here? I thought you left.”

Dream sends him a smirk, a mischievous thing, “I was wandering around the forest, y’know getting a breath of fresh air, and I felt a disturbance in this air.”

“You’re crazy.” The pinkette shakes his head, “Now what do you want other than to bother me again?”

The blonde fake pouts and slinks over to Techno, throwing his arm around the piglin, “Aw don’t be that way Techno.” He grabs Techno’s knife and pulls away to flip it a couple times, “Anyways, I heard you arguing with Phil. Come stay in Kinoko?”

“You want me to stay in Kinoko? Why?”

“Many reasons.” The man smiles again, one more genuine but not as genuine as the smile from when he gave Techno his axe, and goes to sit on the pile of wood in Techno’s cart, “The first being you need somewhere to stay and you’ve gained Sapnap’s trust enough that he’d take you. The second being Sapnap is training the kid he adopted and is wanting help but he doesn’t trust me enough to help train and you’re at my level, also I’m not fully healed yet so I’m having to regain full strength before I can do any proper fighting. Third being the fact that Kinoko has a ton of non-taken houses that you could stay in so you could be isolated and comfortable in a warm area. The fourth being Sapnap liked your company, he’s mentioned it once or twice, and I would like to be around someone new, someone as good as me that I don’t have to act a certain way around.”

Techno takes in the information, thinking for a moment. He did enjoy having people other than Phil and Ranboo around--as much as he loves them--and the other Nether-borns were good company, especially because they’re the only other ones that can relate to Techno and understand the Nether front. He could maybe convince Dream and Sapnap to teach him how to properly fight with an axe now that he’s got the Axe of Peace back. Making a final decision, he shrugs, “It could work but would Sapnap really take me in?”

“Of course he would. Especially if you explain.” Dream smiles wide enough for his teeth to show and his tongue sticks itself between his teeth in a cheeky way, “Plus if you bring me back, that’s brownie points.”

“Does Sapnap know you’re out?”

Dream shrugs and jumps off the wood pile, “He does, but if we come back together...”

“Either he’ll think you’ve relapsed or he'll feel comfort that it was me.”

The blonde shrugs again, “Either way.” He looks in the direction of the commune that Techno lives in, “Shall we go gather things. You tell Phil you found a place and I can put your wood away for you?”

Techno nods, “Sure.” He grabs his cart and begins to pull it, huffing when Dream plops himself onto the cart again. He takes them all the way to the edge of the forest, stopping when he sees Phil moving around in his cabin, “Great.”

“What?” Dream asks, turning his body to look at what Techno’s looking at.

“Phil’s in my house.”

“And?”

Techno sighs, “Phil doesn’t like you very much.”

“Oh, that’s fine.”

“I can’t have him thinking that I’m running off with you.” Techno states as though it’s obvious, turning around and sending Dream a ‘really’ look, “Just either stay here while I figure out what Phil is doing and get ready or lay low while putting away the wood, you know where I keep it right?”

Dream nods, “You can bring the cart near where you put your wood and I’ll sneak up and put away the wood.”

“Alright.” Dream gets off the cart and Techno brings the cart around and to where it’s easier for Dream to unload the logs. He lets it down and moves inside, finding Phil who’s packing a bag of things, “What are you doing Philza Minecraft?”

“I’m packing your shit.” Phil says, looking at Techno, “I’ve got your clothes in here. Grab weapons, grab entertainment.”

“Wow, you’re kicking me out of my own house?”

“Yeah, I am. You’re going to get rest, and if you’re not doing it yourself I’m doing it for you.”

Techno rolls his eyes, “Well I’ve got somewhere to stay anyways. I was going to pack up myself, but if you’re doing it for me that’s nice. Less work for me.”

Phil stands up from where he’s packing and looks up at Techno, “You have? Where?”

“Uhm… that’s personal information.”

“Uh-huh.” Phil nods, crossing his arms, “Okay then.”

“Just finish packing my things and I’ll be outta your hair.” Techno says, turning to go up to his room to grab his weapons and armor.

“You wanna get out here fast huh?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You were packing my things to get me out faster. Why are you complainin’?”

Phil sighs, “Whatever, I won’t push.”

“Thank you.”

“But I’m telling Wilbur, and he will push.”

“Whatever.” Techno says, turning fully and going upstairs to grab his weapons and a couple books. When he comes back down, Phil has his bag finished and hands it off to Techno who leaves quickly after making sure he has everything he’ll need.

“I’ll take care of everything for you.” Phil says with a gentle smile, “Take some time to rest, okay Techno. Keep me updated and let me know when you’re coming back.”

“I will Phil. Take care of yourself.” And with that, Techno walks out of his house and heads to where Dream should be, only to find the blonde leaning against the back of his house, watching the bees fly around and make honey, “Ready to go?”

Dream nods and pulls away from the wall, “Why was Phil in your house?” He slides his mask over his face and slips on his hood.

“Packing up so I could leave.”

“He was just gonna kick you out of your house?”

“Apparently so, but whatever.” They make it out of the commune area and begin their trek to Techno’s portal as Dream texts Sapnap and lets him know that he’s on his way back. It’s a journey in relative silence until they reach the portal and Dream begins guiding Techno to the Kinoko portal. “You seriously do look better.” All the man says at first, “I don’t know how you are mentally because I can’t see into your mind and you’ve only ever treated me with kindness so…”

Dream laughs, just like he did when Techno and Phil were leading him to the hound army and they talked about how Dream was the only one kind to Techno, “I’m feeling better. Not fully healed but I’m eating and beginning to fight again.”

“Sapnap’s trusting you with weapons?”

“He heavily moderates me, I’ve just been using dummies.” Dream shrugs, “I’m too weak to do much right now.”

“Gotta build up that muscle mass man.” Techno says, bumping his shoulder into Dream’s, “How are you gonna beat me in a fight if you can’t fight.”

Dream shrugs, “I’ll find a way you big oaf.”

“I’m hurt Dream, really. Didn’t know my greatest rival would be calling me an oaf.”

“You can’t tell me that you aren’t.” Dream smiles teasingly, letting out a huff of laughter as Techno nods to a zombie piglin that they walk past on the path, “You’re so friendly with the people of the Nether.”

“That’s because I am a person of the Nether, Dream.” Techno rolls his eyes fondly. They make it to the portal and head inside. Waiting by the portal when they go through is Sapnap, who seems quite shocked to see Techno.

“Techno?” Sapnap starts, furrowing his eyebrows, “What are you doing here? With Dream?”

“Well uh, it’s a bit of an interesting story.”

The ravenette looks to Dream, “You weren’t causing problems were you?”

“No,” Dream smirks and it’s both a weird and familiar experience, the way that Dream interacts with Sapnap compared to himself, “In fact I was being a good person.”

“Was he?” Sapnap asks, looking at Techno.

Techno shrugs, “Not horrible. Was quite helpful.”

The ravenette seems to analyze them for a moment before he sighs, “Fine. Come on, let’s talk at my house and you can explain why you’re here, Techno.”

“Hopefully we don’t run into Puffy.” Dream notes as they begin walking.

Techno chuckles and rubs the back of his neck, “I’m not sure most people would be very open to seeing me.”

“Especially not us together.” Dream raises his eyebrows for a second.

Sapnap, although he doesn’t seem to enjoy the easy exchange between the two, tilts his head quickly as though he’s acknowledging the truth in the statement, “Yeah, but she’s not here right now. I think she’s fucking around in Las Nevadas, said something about talking to Foolish or whatever.”

“Oh I need to ask her how Foolish is.” Dream says, almost as if it’s something on a list of his, “I want to know how the crew is holding up with Sam in the prison.”

“Did you actually kill him?” Techno asks, a slight smirk on his face.

Dream smiles wide, enough to show his teeth, and nods quite proudly, “I did. And then I locked him up again. He’s got a matching scar with Quackity now.”

“Ah you love to see it.” Techno says, leaning his head back slightly. His limbs are becoming sore from today's work. He would like to lie down soon if possible. He’s just gotta push through this conversation and hopefully get a place to stay. Nonetheless, “Did you do it with a pickaxe? It’s the only reasonable weapon to use.”

Dream nods rapidly, “And I enjoyed every moment of it. Did you enjoy killing Quackity that much?”

“Mmm let’s see. I had mine and my horse’s life on the line and Quackity had just tried to kill me…” Techno takes a moment to pretend to think, “Yeah I think it felt quite nice. I also learned just how strong I was. Y’know, not everyone can put a pickaxe through someone’s teeth and leave them a nice life-long scar along their face after just dying and coming back to life.”

“I do not trust you guys together.” Sapnap sighs, rubbing his temples.

“Oh come on Sapnap.” Dream whines, “Why don’t you trust us together?”

“Because you both have murderous tendencies. Oh and, I don’t know, you two blew up a fucking country together!?”

Techno shrugs, “Minor inconveniences.”

Dream, on the other hand, just smiles, “Don’t tell me you haven’t felt satisfaction in killing people. I know you have~”

“Whatever, get your asses in there.” Sapnap says, opening the door to his house and gesturing for them to get inside. When the two enter with Sapnap just behind them, they are greeted by Billzo who is sitting at the couch and playing around on his communicator. He looks up and gives quite the shocked look at the crew that are standing in the house. Dream goes over to sit on the couch chair that has clearly been assigned to him and Sapnap gestures for Techno to sit in the middle of the couch, between Sapnap and Billzo.

“So why’re you here Techno?” Sapnap starts, “And with Dream of all people.”

Techno leans his head back against the back of the couch, “Because Phil practically kicked me out of my house.”

“What do you mean?”

Dream smirks and decides to take over for Techno--who seems about to fall asleep there and then now that he’s sat down, “Phil was upset because Techno wasn’t taking care of himself and so he forced him away to take care of himself or whatever and I said that he should come here.”

“Why?” Billzo asks.

“Because I can kind of trust you guys and I can help you train the kid, I could also use a bit of training and practicing as well.” Techno says, not lifting his head from where it’s fallen against the back of the couch.

Sapnap seems to think for a moment before he sighs, “Fine, you can stay for as long as you need. Just don’t cause any trouble with Dream.”

Dream shrugs, “I’m not sure he has the capability. I mean, look at the man.”

The ravenette does take a second to look at the exhausted man and he can’t help but feel sympathy. The tallest of them all looks about as tired as Sapnap felt when Techno took him and Billzo in. If there’s no way to properly thank the man, then this at least makes up the favour, “You’re right. Bill, bring Techno to the house by the yin yang lake, I’ll get started on some food.” The teen nods and he stands up, coaxing Techno to stand up himself.

Techno gets guided to the house that he’ll be staying in for a while and the man nods a goodbye to Billzo. Once he’s alone, he lays back on the bed and allows himself to fall asleep. He only wakes up when someone knocks on the door to the small house.

He pushes himself to sit upright, “Come in.”

Sapnap pushes the door open and walks in with a covered plate--presumably the food he said he was going to start. He hands the plate to Techno and sits in the lone chair in the house, watching Techno on the bed. Techno opens the covering on the plate and starts to eat, which is when Sapnap finally starts, “Do you actually want to train Billzo?”

Techno nods, “It’s been a long time since I’ve trained anyone and I figure that you’d like the help.”

“You’ve trained people before?”

The pinkette nods once again, “All sorts of people. I was training Ranboo but Enderians train differently than Nether-Borns because of differences in natural abilities so Phil took it over. Ranboo also prefers training with an axe and I’m not very good with that.”

“And is that what you meant when you said you could use some training as well?”

“I’ve been meanin’ to properly learn how to fight with an axe.” Techno shrugs, “Dream was gonna help me, but then he was thrown inta prison so…”

“So, you’ve killed a man with a pickaxe but you can’t fight with an axe?”

“Not necessarily,” Techno sighs, “Killing and fightin’ are two different things, Sapnap. Killing takes much less knowledge, especially when you’re against an untrained person. Fightin’ takes more skill and knowledge. How to hold yourself, how to move, y’know.”

“I guess so.” Sapnap nods, “Could you kill a man with an axe?”

“If times are desperate enough, yeah.” Techno shrugs, “I’ve sure done some damage on Dream with an axe before.”

The ravenette sighs, “I hate the idea of you and Dream being so close together.”

“To be fair,” Techno starts, stopping so he can eat a bit of the food in his lap, “I don’t wish to pose any threat. I’ve wanted to be in retirement for a long time now.”

“Then why did you blow up L’Manburg.”

“Because people wouldn’t leave me alone.”

“What does that mean?”

Techno gives him a look, “I was in retirement, y’know, then your fiance and his army of susceptible children came and took my horse and threatened my life. After that, I took on Tommy and he started issues on the server again and Dream finally extended an offer. You might be shocked to learn that, other than getting Dream out of prison which was really him calling in a favour from me, I’ve been entirely isolated.” Techno sighs, “I’ve always wanted to be but I can’t say no to Wilbur for the life of me and…”

“And then you were used like a weapon?”

“You get it.” Techno says, not from his statement but more so as a fact of what has happened to the two of them, “Strong fighters get used for what people know we can do, not what we can be. Destroying not only the root of governmental corruption but also the root of everything negative on this server, it was going to free me of being used and it was going to free the people on here of oppression they didn’t know was affecting them. There is no country to ruin people’s lives or minds when there is no land for a country to stand on.”

“I hate to admit it, but I would’ve been on you guys’ side.”

Techno raises an eyebrow--it’s almost shocking to Sapnap just how expressive the man is for how monotone and straight-faced he seems--and tilts his head a bit to the side, “Really?”

Sapnap takes a deep breath then nods, “Yeah. Your side of Doomsday seemed so free. It… it was people who had been hurt and been forced into a box getting freedom. You’ve all been used--Dream, you, and Phil--and you were fighting for a freedom you couldn’t get otherwise.”

“I like your way of looking at it.” Techno hums, “‘My will is mine… I shall not make it soft for you.’”

“What?”

“It’s a quote from Aeschylus’ work ‘Agamemnon’.” Techno informs him with a hint of a smile, “Very old and very interesting.”

“I can’t say I’ve ever heard of it, or the author.”

“I wouldn’t blame you. It’s a good quote nonetheless.”

Sapnap shrugs, “I just want the freedom you guys have.”

“You have to fight for it, believe it or not.” Techno gives him a proper smile, filled with bits of humor, “It feels wonderful but it’s unfortunate the things you have to go through to achieve it sometimes. I had to hurt my brothers and those I cared for for it. Phil, and he’s still plagued by it even with him being brought back to life, had to kill his own son.” And it’s weird, because Sapnap had always assumed that Techno was close in age to him, even though he knows of incredibly old stories that have to do with him, but now--with Techno sitting half-asleep in a bed in his kingdom eating food Sapnap served him--he feels really just as old as he may be.

Sapnap can’t help but wonder just how old that is.

He’s going to say something but then forgets it, or decides against it, and instead stands up, “I’ll let you finish your food and get some sleep. When you’re feeling good enough for it, come find me or Bill and we’ll let you in on our training.”

Techno nods, “Of course. Thank you Sapnap.”

“It’s no problem, really. You would do the same for me.”

He has done the same for him.

But neither of them care to say that.

Sapnap offers him one final goodbye before exiting and shutting the door behind him. Techno finishes the food that Sapnap gave him and slips into a deep sleep.

<><><><><>

He wakes up two days later, back sore and head feeling much clearer--even the voices are quieter now. He is starving so he pushes himself from the strangely comfortable bed and heads towards the kitchenette of the small house to see if there’s anything in there for him to cook with.

And, just to his luck, there are several basic ingredients stocked in the cupboards and fridge and he is able to make himself a quick but hearty enough breakfast to last him until he feels awake enough to make something bigger. And as he’s sitting down to eat, there’s a knock on his door, to which he calls for the person to ‘come in’.

Techno had been expecting Sapnap to walk through the door, but instead it was Billzo. He walks in, a bit hesitant, and looks around the house until he spots where Techno is sitting, “You’re awake.” He allows himself to step fully in and close the door behind him.

The pinkette nods, “I just woke up, yes.”

“Sapnap’s been having me come check on you to see if you’re awake. He figured you’d be sleeping for a while.”

“Why’d he send you?”

“‘Cause he’s got things to do most of the days. A lot of stuff with Dream or Puffy or Karl or maintaining Kinoko.” Bill shrugs, “Things I don’t really care about.”

That bubbles a small laugh out of the elder’s chest, “I understand, man. Come sit, don’t just stand around awkwardly.” Bill walks over to the chair opposite of Techno at the table and sits down, looking the pinkette up and down like he’s finally seeing him for the first time.

“What kind of Piglin are you?”

“Technically my father was a brute but my mom was also a piglin human hybrid and I ended up much more human than most would expect me to.”

“I was wondering.” Bill hums, “I’ve never really heard of many piglin hybrids with that strong of human features. Did that cause problems for you when you were younger? Before you got out of the Nether.”

Techno chuckles, “Yeah. You know how brutes are, don’t care what you are if you don’t look like a Nether-born they’re gonna attack you. I was kicked from my bastion when I was young and a kind wither skeleton took me in until she was killed.”

“She didn’t care about you looking more human than piglin?”

“Nah, she knew that I had the Nether’s blood runnin’ through my veins through and through and took me in.” Techno shrugs, “Wither skeletons and blazes are much less strict on who they allow within them.”

“So how did you come to the Overworld?”

“When the wither skeleton that took care of me was killed, I was stranded again and had to learn how ta fight to survive. One day Phil came across me and decided to take me in. He saved me that day, I was outnumbered and could only take so much. He brought me into the Overworld and cared for me. Taught me how ta fight an’ how to live off the land I’d never seen before.”

“Did he teach you Terr*?”

Techno nods, “Yup, still not great at it with certain words but…”

“I don’t process Terr very fast sometimes.”

“Me neither.” Techno shakes his head fondly, “There’s a kid, Tubbo, that always mixes up his words and he’s said things that I’ve processed or heard wrong.”

“Like what?”

“‘Technoblade, problem there no is not.” The pinkette says, trying to mimic Tubbo’s accent and putting finger quotes around his words.

Bill stares for a moment, clearly deciphering what that means, “Oh, that’s confusing.”

“That’s why I thought there was a problem.”

The two of them are quiet for a while after that statement before Bill randomly speaks up, “Y’know, you seem much more friendly than the stories made you out to be.”

Techno lets out a huff of laughter, “That’s ‘cause I’m not friendly in those stories. Yer seein’ a very rare side of me, Billzo.”

“Why?”

“Because people see me as a weapon and they use me as such, kid.” Techno looks out the window he’s sitting by, “I don’t want to provide them with a weakness and if they’re going to see me as an emotionless tool to use, I’m going to look like that to them. Not to mention there are many stories that are told by those that were fighting against me rather than with me.” He turns again and steadies Bill with a look, “I hold values and beliefs that not many people like and I stand up and fight for those and there are people that don’t like that.”

“Doesn’t help that you have a tendency to stand up for those beliefs in rather aggressive ways.” Another voice comes from the door. When Techno and Bill turn to look at the intruder, Sapnap is leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. Once he has both of their gazes he smiles a bit and nods in lieu of a ‘hello’. “Good morning, Technoblade.”

“Good morning to you too, Sapnap. Care to join our conversation.”

Sapnap walks further into the house, shutting the door behind him, “I won’t be able to stay for long. And neither will you, Bill. You’ll have to get ready for training in half an hour.”

Bill nods, “Will Techno be joining us?”

“I don’t know, Techno, will you be joining us?” Sapnap turns to look at the pinkette from where his gaze was lingering on his ‘son’--they’re still not quite comfortable with calling each other family, Techno assumes considering it was like that for Wilbur and Tommy. They both took a long time before they could call Phil their father. And even Techno, despite technically being adopted by the blonde in every way but legally, still refuses to call him anything other than ‘Phil’ or ‘Old man’; he’s more of an old friend to Techno than a father-figure anyways.

Techno takes a moment to access his own state of health before he shrugs, “Probably not. I did just wake up like thirty minutes ago so…”

Sapnap nods, “Well, remember that the offer stands that you can train with us when you’re ready.” He looks once again at the other ravenette in the room, “Dream will be joining us, however. He said he’s mostly going to be working on stretching and regaining some strength so he won’t be working with us.” The three continue to talk, mostly about training and hibernation season affecting them before Sapnap and Bill leave the house with quick goodbyes to get ready for training, leaving Techno alone.

Chapter Text

Techno remains mostly alone for the next couple of days, sometimes Dream or Sapnap or Bill will stop in and talk to him for a while but they usually can’t stay for long. So Techno spends that time sleeping and catching up on his reading and suffering through Wilbur’s texts. At first it was just the occasional text asking where he was and he wouldn’t respond, considering he didn’t want Wilbur to figure out anything about his rekindling relationship. But then the brunette started getting more and more insistent, requiring Techno to answer most of the time though he either denies Wilbur any information or gives him something vague; ‘I’m somewhere warm’, ‘yes, I’m around people’, ‘I have a place to keep my stuff’, etc.

And, eventually, Techno feels strong enough and in enough health and social battery to join in on the training. He throws on his usual training outfit, a loose poet’s shirt and a pair of his loose black work pants. He throws his hair up into his usual bun and slides his sword into the frog on his belt that Phil had made him a while ago and attaches the Axe of Peace to his back.

He steps out of the small house that he’s spent most of his time in and starts on the path towards the battle arena that Sapnap had built when Kinoko was built. On his journey, Dream stops by and joins him, dropping a, “This is the Technoblade I know and love.” Which gets him a shove from the taller man.

They make it to the training area where Bill and Sapnap are running through drills. Dream breaks off to work on his stretches and his strength training that he had been doing while Techno takes a moment to take in the way that Bill and Sapnap work together--if he’s going to help Sapnap with the kid’s training, he’s gonna need to know the dynamic.

Sapnap leaves Bill to work on his blocking positions and makes his way towards Techno with a jerk of his chin in lieu of a nod, “Are you starting with us today?” Techno nods and the two of them decide how they want to go about this.

In the end, with Billzo joining in on the conversation, they decide that they’ll work with Bill and their own respective weapons every other day. With that, Dream would join in on Techno’s lessons with swords--even though he knows how to fight with them well enough--because they’re an easier transition back and Techno will be working on light enough moves for him; it will also help with putting Billzo on an easier level to fight against. And the days that Sapnap is teaching Billzo how to use his axe, Techno will join in and pick up on the basics.

And that system works for them, the four of them meeting to train every day except for Fridays--because those are the days that Puffy insisted Dream and Sapnap relax.

Techno enjoys his time in Kinoko Kingdom, so much so that he may or may not have stayed longer than originally intended. Hibernation ended days ago and yet Techno is still settled in the house that Sapnap had lent him. He’s talked to Karl a few times, just brief, sometimes tense, conversations in passing or quick nods of acknowledgement and exchanges of hellos. Puffy still doesn’t know about Techno being in the kingdom considering she stays in Las Nevadas most of the time with Foolish and only really visits for her therapy sessions with Dream in which Techno is usually occupied with his reading when those happen.

He finds that he actually enjoys Bill’s and Sapnap’s company. Sure they’re louder than he’s used to living out in the middle of nowhere with no one but Phil and Ranboo and occasionally Niki when she stops by to stay in the hut that she had built near Ranboo’s house shortly after joining the Syndicate. However Techno also helped raise both Tommy and Wilbur and their friends all around them so he’s gotten used to tolerating noise, not that the two blazes are particularly annoying with their noise.

As of right now he’s sitting in the library of Kinoko with Bill, not getting much reading done with the kid there like he had hoped--not that he minds. The kid is sitting on one of his legs on the couch they share, the other resting like normal while Techno sits with one leg crossed over the other and is angled towards the teen.

“Why don’t you have a problem with Kinoko Kingdom?” The young ravenette asks randomly after a moment of silence, “I mean, everyone is talking about you being an anarchist and your whole ‘down with the government’ thing but you’ve never shown any dislike towards Kinoko, even staying in it.”

Techno shrugs, “Because it’s more like a commune than an actual kingdom, name of it aside. It’s a simple place where people can stay. Sapnap and Karl developed it to have it as a place of their own.”

“And a commune is different from a government?”

The pinkette nods, folding his hands in his lap, “Very much so. A commune is more self-governed. It’s a community where everyone helps everyone and it’s usually small enough that most people in it are incredibly close. It’s a peaceful place. Meanwhile governments are areas of control, things that create power imbalances between the rulers, those that are doing better than others in certain fronts, and those that are living under the ‘elites’. Governments are oppressive and uncompromising to the people most times, often caring more for their policies and money and winning than for the safety and the understanding of their own people.”

“Sap was telling me about the people you live with, Phil and Ranboo and he mentioned another girl that he’s heard stays with you guys sometimes. Are you guys a commune?”

“That’s what we consider it, yes.” Techno shrugs, “There is more to the people that live in that area however it started out as me moving out into the middle of nowhere. Then Phil moved out there with me after getting away from the mess that was L’Manburg and eventually we took on Ranboo after Doomsday since they needed a place to stay. Niki, the girl that occasionally stays with us, built her house out there too as she’s a close friend of ours. We are, by definition, a commune and we accept most people that want refuge.”

“Would you accept Sapnap and I if I were to build a house out there?”

The question shocks Techno and he’s unsure of where it came from, but after a couple of seconds he finds his answer, “Of course. It would be a bit weird between Sapnap and the other people there due to past tensions but we’d accept you just as you have with me. Are you considering building a house out there?”

Bill shakes his head but he sighs, “Not really but… there are sometimes issues with the people of Las Nevadas over here and sometimes I think that having somewhere else to stay would be nice to get away from it all.”

“Then we’d accept you.” Techno shrugs.

“Would you accept Dream?”

That’s another hard question. Techno sighs, “I would, personally. I know him well enough and I’ve seen the way he’s been recently. Phil, although he knows and has worked with Dream, has some issues with him right now and doesn’t really enjoy me being around him; though, before those things arose he never had issues with him really being around. Ranboo… they’ve got some issues with him, the two of them had a bad past. Niki, she doesn’t like him.”

“So he wouldn’t be taken in.”

“He could move in.” Techno informs him, “He could build a house of his own and he could stay there but the people wouldn’t accept him and take him in as easily as they would for someone like your or even Sapnap.”

Bill sits and thinks for a moment before he nods, “Alright. I should go see if Sapnap needs any help with the food preparations. I’ll see you tomorrow at training Techno.” The pinkette nods and wishes the boy a goodnight as he exits the building and Techno finally picks up his book once again, allowing himself to sink back into the universe provided to him in words.

The next morning, it seems as though Bill has garnered even more questions as they train. Techno’s working with Bill and Dream today, Sapnap working on some of his sword work alongside them, although he’s being much more loose about it. As Techno pairs them up to fight--Techno with Sapnap and Dream with Billzo--the teen begins asking more questions, “How long have you been fighting?”

“For as long as I can remember.” Techno provides, “Brutes and Piglins are taught to fight from the womb and I had to learn faster since I wasn’t well-liked or accepted.”

“How many people have you fought? Killed?”

“I’ve fought tens of thousands of men, and killed about half of those numbers.” Techno says, confidently as Sapnap parries his attack, garnering a snort of appreciation--that’s something that the three of them, Ranboo, and Phil had to grow accustomed to in training with Techno. When he’s focusing enough on the fight or thinking about battle, he’ll let some of his more piglin heritage show, usually muttering some words in *Infernal. It’s a rough language, spoken in the back of one’s throat, deep and rough when piglins speak it and barely spoken by blazes or wither skeletons but muttered usually with a rasp when they do speak it.

“How old are you?”

“Old, kid.” Is his response, “I couldn’t tell you the exact amount of years.”

“Why not?”

“It’s been over five-hundred, and you can lose count easily.”

“Holy shit, what's it like being that old?”

“Tiring and easily boring.”

“What can you kill someone with?”

Sapnap swings as Techno feigns left, catching the ravenette off-guard with a subsequent attack, “Swords, bows, crossbows, a trident a couple times…” Techno hums, considering, “Axes, though it wasn’t good fighting techniques I used when I did, spears, staffs. Most anythin’ really.”

“Could you kill someone with a pickaxe?”

And Techno throws a grin over his shoulder at the kid--who’s battle with Dream ended a couple minutes ago meaning he’s watching the two of them fight--while he’s holding Sapnap’s sword against his own, “I have.” His tone is cocky and knowing, his grin growing more into a smirk at the kid’s shock.

“You have?”

Techno nods, “Remember when I mentioned Toothpick while you both were still at my cabin? It’s killed a man.”

“Who?”

And this time it’s Sapnap that answers for him, “You know that picture of me and Karl and Quackity that I have hung up above the fireplace in my house?” Techno assumes that the boy nods, even if he can’t see it, and he doesn’t know if Sapnap does or just knows that the boy knows what he’s talking about, “You know the scar that Quackity has over his eye. The one he’s blind in now? That was Techno with Toothpick.”

And Bill clearly gapes from the way that Dream laughs, “Really?”

Techno nods, “It was desperate times and he was coming to try and kill me after his first attempt on my life didn’t work. Dream gave me a couple things to get out of L’Manburg and I only had a pickaxe to use against him. I killed Quackity with a pickaxe Dream gave me, I’ve scarred and ruined his eye.”

“I still wish I could’ve been there to see it.” Dream sighs, “Though, I can imagine what it was like when I killed Sam with one.”

And Techno can see Bill whirl towards the blonde in the corner of his eye though he’s focusing more on where he’s beginning to overpower Sapnap, “You killed someone with a pickaxe too?”

“He deserved it. Worked with Quackity in torturing me in the prison, sat as an accomplice to Quackity torturing the two of us and he killed Ranboo and lied to Eret and Tubbo.” Dream shrugs, “He treated me and Techno and many people that Techno or I care about like shit. He worked with and just let Quackity do what he wanted.” Dream says, and Techno can imagine that he shrugs when he says it.

Dream and Bill continue talking about Dream and Techno’s ability to kill, later leading onto the duel between the two of them while Techno and Sapnap finish up their fight with Techno winning. The two of them congratulate each other and decide to pack it in. After the four put their things away they walk out of the training arena and break off to do their own things.

But unfortunately, Techno decides that it’s in his best interest to head back to his own home. He says goodbye to the three that he had been spending time with, and training with, promises that they’re all allowed in his home if they ever need it, throws his axe over his shoulder, straps his sword to his waist, grabs his bags, and heads towards the portal leading him out of Kinoko.

~~~~~~~~~

When Techno arrives, it’s not snowing like he’d expected after Phil’s text a couple days ago telling him that a storm was blowing in. He can’t quite tell until he’s through the fencing leading into their commune that he can see that light is leaking through his windows, which is odd because Phil always blows out the candles and the lanterns when he leaves--if he even turned them on in the first place, he has the tendency to just bring one of his lanterns inside if Techno’s not around or asleep, or sitting in the dark; as the pinkette has the tendency to do.

And, giving those in his life the benefit of the doubt, he assures himself that Phil has just put some wood on the fire and lit the candles so Techno can be greeted by a warm house.

…

Until he walks into his house and Wilbur fucking Soot is sitting thrown over his couch, one foot against the back of it and the other on the floor. He’s leaning his chin on one arm with the elbow against the armrest of the couch, and the other is holding one of Techno’s books wide open yet he’s looking directly at Techno as the pinkette walks through the door and throws his bags down. Niki’s in his kitchen, probably baking, and Ranboo is sitting on the counter near her.

“Well, well, well.” Wilbur starts, smirking, “Look who’s decided to show up from his mysterious vacation spot.

Techno sighs and hangs his cloak up, having put his axe down gently on one of the chests against the far wall, “Hello. I’m glad everyone has decided to take up my house in my absence.”

Niki gives him a small wave and an apologetic smile, “Sorry Techno. I wanted to bake you something and Wil insisted that I do it in your house to welcome you.”

The taller pinkette gives the girl a smile and walks over to her, kissing her temple, “Thank you, Niki.” He then pulls back and sends a glare towards Wilbur, “Though I’m sure that Wilbur had other plans when he invited himself over.”

“What ever could you mean?” Wil asks theatrically.

Ignoring him, Techno turns to Ranboo, “And can I ask why you’re here? And where Phil is?”

“I’m right here, mate.” Phil says from downstairs. A couple seconds later, his head pops up from the basement and brings himself fully onto the floor. The blonde man walks over to Techno and bumps their foreheads together, “How was your hibernation?”

Techno considers for a moment, “Eventful.”

“Mate!” Phil shouts, hitting Techno’s shoulder, “That’s exactly the opposite of what it was supposed to be like!”

Wilbur hums, “Hmm, I wonder why it was eventful?”

“Yeah,” Ranboo starts, tilting their head, “I wonder as well. Techno, why do you have that axe?”

And that brings the other three’s attention to the axe that the piglin had thrown on one of the chests. To which Phil whirls on Techno after a couple seconds, “Mate? Is that the Axe of Peace?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Philza Minecraft.”

“Oh, now I know you’re lying.” The blonde says, stomping towards the chest. He grabs the axe and looks over the writing and the enchantments, “IT IS!”

“Oh Technoblade~” Wilbur singsongs, standing up and throwing himself over Techno’s back, “Why do you have the Axe of Peace? What have you been getting up to? Perhaps some evil?”

“How is it the Axe of Peace?” Niki asks, “Wasn’t it destroyed in the explosions?”

“Yeah,” Ranboo starts, “You loved talking about how it was symbolic that the Axe of Peace was destroyed in chaos and conflict.”

Techno sighs, “I may or may not have… run across it while I was out. Turns out, it wasn’t actually destroyed. Tommy still had it and…”

“And what?” Phil pushes. It’s been hundreds of years that Techno has known and worked alongside Phil and he still hates when the blonde looks at him with those disappointed eyes.

The pinkette sticks his nose up, “And he left it in the possession of the person that allowed me to stay with.”

“And just who is that?” Wil asks, leaning directly on Techno and blowing into his ear--because he knows for a fact that Techno’s got sensitive ears.

“No one that you would know.”

“Yeah, I bet they go to another school.” Phil says, raising an eyebrow. Despite the teasing words, he says it seriously.

Techno furrows his eyebrows and snarls, “I don’t like what you’re implying, Phil.”

“Did you stay with Dream?” Ranboo, always the blunt person, asks.

“Why would I stay with Dream of all people?” Techno rolls his eyes, “You’re being ridiculous. Either way, I’m quite cold and would like some tea.” He trots into the kitchenette and takes a pot of water towards the fire to start it boiling then grabs himself his tea and his mug.

While he’s waiting for the water to boil, he heads up to his bedroom to discard of his crown and properly set his bags down. However, Phil pushes open the trapdoor and climbs into his room, hissing, “Mate, I swear to God, if you actually went and stayed with Dream, I will kill you.”

“First of all, Phil, you wouldn’t kill me.” Techno rolls his eyes, “Second of all, I didn’t stay with Dream.”

“Then why won’t you tell me who you’ve gone and spent months with? Or where you got the Axe of Peace back?”

“It’s a… complicated situation, Phil.”

“What relationship do you have that isn’t ‘complicated’ in some way?”

Techno levels Phil with a look, “I provided them help and they… owed me a favour, kind of.”

Phil glares at him for a couple minutes before he rolls his eyes and sighs, “Fine, I’ll leave it be. But you’ll have to tell me eventually, that way I can help you get Wil off your back.”

“I can deal with Wil.”

“Can you?”

“Yes, Phil.” Techno sighs, turning around and heading back down the ladder. Only for Wilbur to immediately throw himself at the piglin.

“Technoblade!” Wilbur shouts, “I wonder just what you’ve been doing behind our backs these past couple of months.”

“And why exactly is that?”

“Because, my dear Techno, Phil and I were able to find some clothes that he hadn’t brought with us hanging on your line shortly after you left to stay with this mystery person for several months.” Wilbur’s smiling and Techno absolutely hates it. “And you’ve got the Axe of Peace with you, and you’re practically glowing! Could it possibly be with the afterglow of months of sex while you were hiding away from Phil and I? You think that ignoring me would allow you to get away?”

“Wilbur, honestly.” Techno gives the brunette a look, “If you’re suggesting that I have a secret lover or am having an affair of some sort, I wish for you to remember that I am not, in fact, you.”

Ranboo hums, “Yeah, he doesn’t feel the type to suddenly have a lover. Or date anyone at all.”

Wilbur leans towards the teen, “Much unlike you, Mx. Married my best friend.”

“Both of you have run away with secret lovers and surprised us with children.” Niki sighs from her place in the kitchen, “I suppose Phil did as well.”

“And sometimes,” Techno sighs, shooting a glare at Wilbur, “I wish he hadn’t done so. Wilbur has been nothing but a thorn in my side since Phil found him. Tommy as well.”

“Oh don’t be like that, mate. We both know that you loved the boys when they were younger.”

“Key word, they were younger. Both of them turned into teenagers and I remembered why I hated children.”

“Don’t be like that, Techno.” Wilbur chides. “You like Ranboo.”

And Billzo, but Techno doesn’t say that. Because then they’d really believed that he did also run away with a lover and a child--God there is something wrong with the people of this server and their tendency to adopt random children.

“And they are the only child I’ve liked. And even then they ran off and got married and had a child.”

“Speaking of which, you also like Michael.” Ranboo interjects.

“I like most Nether-born children. I’ve spent enough time around them.” Techno sighs for the nth time since coming home--and it’s not even been an hour--and starts to make himself some tea and settle down with Steve, who did seem quite happy to see him.

~~~~~~~~~

Eventually, he’s able to shoo everyone away from his house--well, Ranboo went to their house on their own volition, Niki went to go see Puffy, and Phil and Techno were able to get rid of Wilbur by telling him to visit Quackity. All that’s left is Techno and Phil sitting around the house, drinking another cup of tea and eating some food.

“I’m not going to push on who it is,” Phil starts, quietly, “But I’m glad you did have someone to stay with. Like Wil said, even if he meant something more sexual by it, you seem much happier--you’re… glowing.” The blonde’s face scrunches, “I hate myself for saying that.”

Techno nods, “They’re a surprisingly ally to have on my side but… things have changed.”

“Is that why we had some of our clothes hanging from your washline?”

“I told you that I helped them out.” Techno sighs, leaning back against Steve, “Thank you for taking care of everythin’.”

“Anytime, Techno.” Phil nods, “You do it when I leave every time. You need to get out and adventure more often, it’s been too long.”

“It has.”

<><><><><>

Techno realizes that he might’ve enjoyed living in Kinoko because they’re very similar. In their structure, in their isolation, and in their people. He’s sitting and watching as Phil and Ranboo train with their axes. Techno, instead of joining them in training, is sharpening the Axe of Peace--which both Phil and Ranboo have reluctantly accepted that he has again without explanation.

Speaking of which, during the two Enderian’s break, Ranboo looks over at him with furrowed brows, “Since when did you know how to sharpen an axe?”

“I learned how to when I got my axe back.” Techno shrugs, hoping that the two of them will drop it. They’re both stubborn, yes, but much less so than Wil and the brunette has this amazing ability to get them to pester him worse.

Phil gives him a look, “Why won’t you tell us who you stayed with?”

Ranboo nods, “I thought that you and Phil don’t keep secrets?”

Techno huffs a sigh, “I just- it’s a bit of a complicated situation, for many reasons. It’s… we have some commonalities that have led us to have a… tentative relationship.”

“You’re making me think that you’ve gone off with like Foolish or Sam or Quackity or something.” Phil says, very much so incredulous.

Ranboo hums, “That would make sense. I feel like Sam would have the Axe of Peace if anyone. Perhaps he got it off Dream.”

Techno rolls his eyes, “It wasn’t Sam. I’d rather not stay in the prison again. It was a miserable enough experience the first time.”

“Is he still in there, mate?” Phil asks, exasperated.

“I haven’t let him out and I assume that no one else has.” Techno shrugs. “And I would rather throw myself into the L’Manhole than ever even think of staying with Quackity in the hell of a place he calls Las Nevadas.”

Ranboo nods, “Plus I don’t think they’d have anything in common to base a friendship off of.”

Phil considers for a moment then nods, “Alright, you don’t have to tell us right now, but you’ll have to tell me eventually.” He stands up and readies his axe again, bringing Ranboo out into the training area again.

Chapter Text

Luckily, Techno is able to shake Phil and Ranboo off for a while and Wilbur has been so busy pestering Quackity that he hasn’t had the time to bother Techno about it any further.

However, plans may be turning on their head when Techno gets another knock on the door. He figures who it could be, considering his previous experience with someone actually knocking on his door. So the pinkette doesn’t bother grabbing a knife on his way to the old, creaky wood. He opens it and immediately regrets not grabbing a knife.

Because there, instead of Billzo standing with Sapnap, is Dream. Techno takes a deep breath and moves out of the way for the two of them, checking to make sure that no one in the commune was outside to see the two of them before closing the door. Immediately he turns around, “Why are you both here? And Dream, I’ve never known you as someone to knock.”

“I didn’t let him.” Bill informs him, then he immediately walks towards Steve to pet the polar bear, “Either way, dad sent us here for the next couple of days. Well- he sent me but didn’t trust me to navigate around this area of the Nether enough that he sent Dream… reluctantly.”

Dream gives Techno a smile from where he has moved to rifle through Techno’s chests, “Bad has decided to give Sap a visit and he didn’t want Bill to have to be there when they inevitably fought. You know how Bad is anymore.”

“I’m more than aware, yes.” Techno nods, “He has tried to induct me into his weird little cult several times. Well, how long are you going to be staying?”

“Dunno.” Dream shrugs, “But he’s told me that he’ll let us know when we can come back.”

“Alright.” Techno sighs, turning towards Bill, “This is going to be more difficult than you and Sapnap staying here. I’ll find more of Tommy’s clothing and Dream, I’m sure you’ve left enough clothing somewhere around here from your incessant visits. You’ll both have to lay low and stay in my house most of the time, all of my neighbors are home right now and Wil tends to drop in occasionally.”

“Do none of them like me still?” Dream asks, a grin on his face. He’s perched himself on the back of Techno’s couch.

“What do you expect Dream?” He then looks towards the teenager, “I’ll grab the mattress again when Phil goes out for a wood run. We’ve got a training arena if you’ve brought your axe or sword.”

“I have.” Bill nods. Then asks, “Do you have some tea or something? I’m cold.” Techno nods and moves to make himself, Dream, and Bill some tea while the teen settles himself against the polar bear in the room.

<><><><><>

They’re able to skirt around the others in the commune for several days, which is an absolute miracle with the fact that Niki is the only one in the habit of knocking or alerting Techno when she’s over. However Bill and Dream have both found places they can quickly hide in Techno’s house when the door suddenly bursts open.

However, their luck can only last for so long as Techno’s learned.

Because he’s forgotten that today was training day for Phil and Ranboo and took Bill and Dream down into the training area under his and Phil’s house so they can work on their axe work. Techno’s got both Dream and Bill trying to get a shot on him as he defends himself with his axe. They’re striking at him when he sees Phil and Ranboo climbing down the ladder, luckily looking at the wall as they talk. It makes the pinkette falter and Bill is able to get a clean hit on Techno.

However, the two attackers don’t stop until they all hear Phil’s shout of, “Holy hell!” Immediately upon those words, Bill whips around to stare at the two and Dream simply slowly turns, letting his axe’s blade fall into the dirt with a grin on his face. Meanwhile, Ranboo is staring at the three previously training in fear and Phil looks both incredibly confused and upset.

“Hey, Phil. Ranboo.” Techno starts, unsure of how to go about this situation.

“Mate,” Phil starts and his voice is painfully cold, “Exactly why is Dream in my training area? And who is this kid with you two?”

“We’re training, Phil.” Dream smiles, not making the situation any better, “We’ve been working on several things for a while now.” The blonde then looks at Bill and grabs his shoulder, guiding him towards the two nearest to the ladder, “Bill! You’ve been told enough about Phil and Ranboo without meeting them! Here they are!” However, before the blonde can drag the teen to them, Phil has grabbed out his sword and swung at Dream.

The younger blonde, however, is able to block it weakly with the axe still in his hands.

“Dream,” Techno sighs, “Bring Bill back over here. You know that Sapnap will personally throw you back in the prison if you bring any harm to his child.”

Dream pouts at Techno and trots back over to the pinkette with Bill in tow, “Fine, Techno.”

Phil’s face is tense and he glares at Techno with his next words, “Technoblade. I’m beginning to think I was correct about you staying with Dream over your hibernation.”

“I didn’t stay with Dream.” Techno informs him, “Dream was there, yes, but he wasn’t the one I went to.”

“No, it was Sapnap.” Ranboo says, speaking up for the first time as they drag their eyes from Dream to Techno.

Techno, after a couple seconds, nods, “Indeed. Dream, Bill. Would you both mind putting our things away and starting some tea? I have a feeling this conversation is going to take a while.” Dream goes to take the Axe of Peace away from Techno’s hands while Bill slides past the two near the ladder to head into Techno’s house, Dream following shortly after with their weapons. The pinkette then assesses the two, quite angry-looking, people in front of him, “Give me some time to explain. And please treat them with civility. At least be nice to Bill, and just try not to attack Dream. I’d rather not have to break up a fight.” Then he guides them back up the ladder. Phil and Ranboo go to put their things away, having decided against their training today.

When they all meet back up at Techno’s house, they have their cups of tea. Dream is settled on the chest by Techno’s brewing stand, Bill and Techno are leaning against Steve and Phil and Ranboo have settled on Techno’s couch. The pinkette takes a deep breath and another sip of his tea, “So… while you guys were all out, when Phil and Wil were visiting Kristin, Sapnap showed up at my door with a kid in tow and asked to stay at least the night because hibernation was hitting him harder than expected. So, they stayed with me for a while and they both left shortly before you guys got back.

“That’s when Dream decided to show up, when I was out chopping wood and he gave me the Axe of Peace back as a thank you. Then you forced me away and Dream suggested that I stay with Sapnap and him in Kinoko Kingdom, because Sapnap would let me stay for a while. And I did. They taught me how to fight with an axe and I helped teach Bill how to sword fight and helped Dream regain his strength from the shit he went through. Then they showed up at my door last week because there are problems in Kinoko right now, so I’m making sure they don’t die.” Techno then shoots a look towards Dream, “And making sure they don’t get into trouble.”

Both Phil and Ranboo stare at him, then between Dream and Bill for a while before Phil speaks up, “And why do you trust Dream again? Weren’t you upset at him for basically killing Ranboo?”

Techno sighs, “Dream’s been getting help from Puffy and is genuinely getting better, I’ve seen it myself. He’s also being watched by Sapnap.” Techno then gazes at where the blonde had put the Axe of Peace, “And he returned something important to me, and more but I’m not about to get into that.”

“You’ve been getting help?” Ranboo asks, distantly staring at Dream.

Dream nods, his voice taking a more genuine tone than usual, “I needed, and need, a lot of help. Sapnap forced me to get it.”

Phil nods hesitantly then looks at Bill, “And you’ve been around him and Sapnap for a while… I’ve just realized I never got your name.”

“Billzo,” Bill says, “Or Bill. But yeah, dad met me in the Nether and decided that he would adopt me, the same day that we went and stayed here.” Bill shrugs, “We were going to try and stay with you but you were gone so we went with the next best option.”

Phil and Ranboo seem to have a silent conversation before Phil finally sighs and stands up, “Whatever. As long as neither of you are doing anything wrong, I can’t really bar Techno from having whoever he wants over. However, if you cause any trouble, Dream, I won’t be afraid to go after you.”

Dream nods, “Got it.”

The blonde then gives Techno a look, “I’ll be talking to you later.” Techno nods and Phil leaves the house, followed shortly by Ranboo after the teen awkwardly says goodbye and shuffles towards the door.

Once they’re out, Techno sighs and turns around to the two of them, “Sorry about that, Bill. I promise that they’re genuinely nice people and I don’t know what all you’ve been told about Dream, but they’re a bit cagey.”

“Understandably.” Dream shrugs, “I don’t mind, either way. I’m not here to cause trouble. I genuinely want to be part of Bill’s life and I’m not gonna endanger a safe place for him.”

<><><><><>

A couple days go by until Phil and Techno find themselves alone. They’re working on taking care of the new batch of freshly-hatched turtles together in relative silence before the elder sighs, “Techno, you know I trust you, right?”

Techno, after a couple seconds of mentally preparing himself, nods, “Of course, Phil.”

“I trust that you know what you’re doing with Dream and the kid, but I can’t understand why.”

Techno moves some new-laid eggs around so they’re in a better place to hatch and sighs, “Dream… he’s done a lot for me in recent times. Y’know, give me back the Axe of Peace, offer me a place to stay, an’ that. But I also knew him before this whole server situation, you know that. The man that I saw after I joined this server wasn’t the one that I knew, I knew something had gone wrong. Who I see now… well, he’s not exactly what I know but he’s the more genuine and fun person that I spent hours talking to after the Mr. Beast battle.”

“I get that.” Phil starts, “But you saw what he did.”

“And yet he still never betrayed my trust and he still never pretended to be anything more than an ally to me, Phil.” Techno informs, wiping sand off his hands and making eye contact with the blonde man, “He’s never gone back on his words towards me and… there were things said while we were in the prison together, things that neither of us care to disclose but…”

“He’s not mentally stable.”

“And yet he’s working on that with his mom.”

“He doesn’t have his friends to back him up, they’ve left him. Why doesn’t that raise alarms in your head?”

“He does though. George hasn’t been seen for months so no one really knows about that but Karl and Sapnap are both starting to treat him, and see him, how they once did. And Quackity, well…”

Phil laughs at that, “He has his own issues.”

“Lot’s of them.” Techno concedes. He goes back to working in silence for a couple seconds before he starts up again, “And Bill… Listen, I’ve never had a problem with Sapnap so when he came to my house telling me that he had almost fainted due to a couple different factors, I wanted nothing more to take him in. It was hibernation season and both he and the kid are Nether-Borns.”

Phil hums, “And you’ve made the vow to protect Nether-Borns like your mother did.”

“Exactly. Then I found out that Sapnap and Bill were genuinely good people and I enjoyed their company and that Sapnap and I have more in common than one would imagine, it just worked out.”

“Techno…” Phil fades off, clearly seeing something in Techno’s expression.

“Just trust me on this, Phil.”

After a couple seconds the blonde sighs, “Fine, Techno.”

“Hey, you can teach an old dog new tricks!” Techno cheers, giving Phil a joking smile.

“Watch it.”

~~~~~~~~~

And the next day, Phil decides to invite Dream, Bill, and Techno to his and Ranboo’s next training session. The five of them figure that it’s best they all work with axes and Phil keeps a keen eye on the way that Dream and Techno and Bill work together, running through the drills and working together.

After a certain point, Phil decides to throw out a challenge to Dream and Techno, inviting them to fight him if they want to. Dream, who had seen Techno and Phil fight only a couple of times, sits out so he can watch the two elders fight against each other. And they do, and it’s mighty. Their axes clash and clang enough to make Techno’s teeth grind and for there to be ringing in sensitive ears around the room.

And when the battle is finished and won, in which Phil won--though not many were really shocked about that--Phil smiles at the pinkette and helps him stand up, “You’ve really been improving with your axe.”

Techno nods and dusts himself off, “Sapnap is a good teacher.”

“And here I thought you knew everything you had to learn.”

“I’m always learnin’ more, Phil.” Techno smiles, tilting his head, “And I thought that you had lost your fightin’ skill with your old age.”

“Oh shove off, Techno.” Phil smiles back, shoving at his friend's shoulder. They’re laughing and they’ve gone back to normal and it’s nice; he won’t admit it but Techno’s been stressing out about it.

They’re still laughing when Ranboo reluctantly turns towards Billzo with a indiscernible look, “I’m terrified of you, now.”

“Why so?” Bill asks, leaning against the wall next to them.

“You’re training with three of the best fighters around. You are going to be unkillable in a couple years.”

Bill laughs, “Not that I’d really want to.” There’s a small smile on his face as he looks down for his next words, “I just want to know how to take care of myself and those I care about. I’ll leave the killing and terrorizing to Techno and Dream.”

And Dream, clearly summoned over by the teen’s words, throws his arm around Bill’s shoulder, “Aw, of course you want to kill for fun! It’s great. With any luck, also, you could easily get Phil over there or even Punz to help you with your fighting. Then you’d really be a machine.”

Techno chuckles, “A child of five prodigies. Terrifying, kid.”

And, to their surprise, another voice joins them, “Not to mention your biological advantage of bein’ a blaze.” The others in the room turn towards the ladder where Sapnap is now climbing down into the training area. The ravenette touches down on the ground and he looks at Dream, “Speaking of, have you talked to Punz recently? I know you guys worked together but no one’s heard from him in a while.”

Dream shrugs, waltzing over to his childhood friend, “We’re talking occasionally, but he’s a bit busy with his life right now.”

“I’d love to see him again,” Sapnap adds with a smile. Then he turns towards Phil and Ranboo, “Hello you two. I see you’ve all met Billzo.”

Phil nods, “Is everything alright in Kinoko? No one’s told me details but do you need help with anything?”

“Nah, I’ve taken care of everything with dad. Karl left a while ago and I figured that I’d drop by for a while to collect Dream and Bill.”

“That’s good.”

“It’s good that you did,” Techno adds, “I’ve been meanin’ to give something to ya but haven’t gotten to it yet.”

“Oh really?”

Techno nods, “It’s not quite finished so you’ll have to wait a couple more days but, things like this can only take so long.”

“Now I’m really curious, Techno.” Dream starts, slinking towards the pigling and wrapping an arm around him, “Just what is this surprise that you’ve got in mind?”

“Nothing that bothers you, you teletubby.” Techno snarls.

“I’ll be looking forward to whatever it is, Techno.” Sapnap starts, a genuine smile on his face, probably just to break the tension between the two rivals.

And it works. Because the group moves on and works on one big training session with all of them together, and they all have dinner at Phil’s house when they’re done, talking and trying to get along.

<><><><><>

True to his words, Techno is able to give Sapnap his gift. He’s made an axe for Sapnap, a double-bladed bearded axe hand enchanted and with the promise to name it for Sapnap if the ravenette decides on a name. The blaze nearly cries at the gift, he had always admired piglin craftsmanship but had never been able to get his hands on a piglin-made weapon for himself. And Techno gives it to him willingly as a thank you for teaching him how to work with an axe, for taking him in when he needed it, and for giving him another chance.

Techno also gave Billzo a weapon, a glaive that he promised him he would teach the young ravenette how to use.

Then he recalls that Bill wanted to hear more about and see some pictures from his and Phil’s days in the Antarctic Empire so he spends an hour rummaging around his attic for some pictures and memorabilia from that time and sits Sapnap and Billzo down in front of the fire telling the stories of his and Phil’s reign and grandeur with gestures and stories in the way that he loves to tell them but has run out of people to tell them to. The blazes hang onto his words and are incredibly receptive in a way that makes Techno’s heart swell, the only other person that had listened this aptly was Ranboo and he practically saw them as a protegee--purely because they fear seeing them as his own child, but that’s what Phil will tell people if they really got down into it.

And as he’s telling them the story of his, Phil’s, and Pete’s trial, Wilbur Soot himself makes himself known on the main floor with the slamming open of Techno’s door and the singsung call of, “Technoblade~ Where are you?” Then after a couple seconds the brunette goes, “Techno! Why do you have a mattress out, do you have someone over? Technoblade!”

And within seconds, the brunette’s head is popping past the trapdoor that separates Techno’s bedroom from the rest of the house and his eyes widen and he stops mid-sentence. Brown, mischievously sparkling eyes are flitting between the three of them before he theatrically gasps, “Techno! You sly dog, you did run away and find a secret lover and adopt a secret child! You’re really not much different from me or Phil or Ranboo!”

And if Sapnap goes a bit red at the words, Techno chooses to blame it on the fact that he’s embarrassed and not used to Wilbur’s shenanigans and not that the words hold much truth to them, “Wilbur, I implore you to reign in your reactive imagination. I’ve been helping Sapnap train the kid for a while, there isn’t anything going on and I haven’t adopted Billzo. You are merely an attention whore.”

Wilbur gasps once again, “You wound me, Techno. And don’t act like you wouldn’t go for someone like Sapnap.”

“Wilbur, you of all people should know that I have no interest in relationships.”

“Well, in your retirement…” Wilbur drags on, “Phil isn’t gonna be around forever. And even then he’s visiting Kristin a lot and Ranboo’s usually with Tubbo and Niki’s usually other places. I’m sure you get very lonely, Techno.”

“Wilbur.” Techno warns, “You know I enjoy my loneliness.”

“Whatever you say.” Wilbur disappears back into the main floor of Techno’s house and the pinkette apologizes to his guests, telling them that they should pay Wilbur no mind.

However, Techno’s promise to visit Billzo and Sapnap more often in Kinoko, his extended offer to continue working with them, and the golden necklace that he gives Sapnap before the blazes leave for their own home speaks very strongly about his words with Wilbur.

Though not that anyone has to know.