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“Can’t spill family blood, remember.”
“Oh, I know. Funny, wouldn’t have thought you’d have a heartbeat.”
Niki giggled, Techno’s head resting on top of hers as they both gazed out over the city. His axe was half sitting in her lap, a sign of trust, and the source of her teasing reminder. She knew he didn’t let many other people touch that thing.
“Yep. Not sure what it’s doing in there though. Look.”
She held out her wrist, and Techno grunted in surprise.
“No blood?”
“Don’t think that lets you off the hook. I can still bleed, just… not in the ways you’d think.”
“Huh. You never cease to surprise, sister.”
Niki laughed, throat vibrating through both of their bodies. Techno didn’t normally get this close to anyone else. The only other person she’d seen him willingly touch was Tommy, really.
“I’m an enigma. Ready to go, Destruction?”
“Oi, don’t use my title. Techno to you, Death.”
Techno ruffled her hair as he stood up, much to Niki’s displeasure, even as she laughed.
Taking his proffered hand, she hauled herself to her feet, running her hand over her hair to restore it to a dead straight split dye, one side light blond, the other raven black.
“Y’look like one of Ranboo’s ravens.”
Techno’s comment made her roll her eyes, even if she was secretly thrilled. Niki smoothed over her ruffled skirts, hooking her thumb through one of her belts and looking up at her brother with a grin.
“That’s the idea! You know, Phil’s always on me about looking more professional, so…”
“So you dress like a mall goth. Got it.”
“Hey, look who said they didn’t keep up with the humans!”
Niki swatted at his shoulder playfully, making Techno huff, much to her delight.
“Whatever. I’ve stuck around for them this long, might as well check up on this culture I’m supposedly obliterating.”
“Aw, you care.”
“Do not.”
“You do!”
“Sister. Please.” Techno actually looked mildly pained, breaking eye contact to look back over the city. “Can we go?”
Niki hummed, crossing her arms and following her gaze, the skyline a distant border, obscured by countless skyscrapers and flashing lights. She looked back up at her little brother, and shrugged.
“Sure. Anywhere in mind?”
“Yeah, actually. You mentioned blood.”
“Well, count me thrilled. Blood, my favourite way to spent an evening with my little brother.”
Techno rolled his eyes, holding out his hand again without looking down.
“Shall we?”
——————
“Ok, Techno, this is gross.”
“Yeah, yeah, we’re visitin’ a friend of mine.”
Niki skipped ahead a few steps, crossing her arms once more and blocking Techno’s way before he could knock on the door of some rather nice looking Victorian townhouse.
The house, to be clear, wasn’t the gross part. No, that was fine. It was the dirty canal water that had probably soaked through her boots from how long they’d been walking under bridges where somehow even the ceiling felt wet that was grossing her out.
“Who?”
“A friend.”
To his credit, Techno didn’t try to push past her. Just waited patiently, while Niki narrowed her eyes.
“Is this a thing. Because I can leave, whenever I want, I don’t have to-“
“No. You’ll like him. Maybe. Maybe not. He likes you.”
Niki stared down her brother for a minute more, then slowly uncrossed her arms, and stepped away, still watching him suspiciously.
“Ok. Only because I trust you. Don’t make me regret it.”
Techno chuckled, rapping smartly with the iron knocker.
“How many do y’say that to?”
“None.” Niki smiled, watching him with a slightly softer gaze. “I’d say it for a few people, but not to them.”
“Huh.”
They were quite for a moment, then the door was yanked open, and a figure in a stained white hoodie hurried to lean casually against the doorframe.
“Uh- hey. What d’ya want?”
“Hello, Punz.”
Niki really had to applaud Techno’s patience. Her magenta eyes flicked over the human she could only describe as fuckboy, and she frowned. Still, she stayed quiet. Her brother was handling it.
“Hey… who’s the girl?”
“My sister.”
Techno didn’t even look at her, although Niki felt Punz taking a good look. She met his eyes, and smiled, coldly. He looked away.
“Right. And you’re…?”
“Destruction. Of a fashion.”
“Like… my destruction, or…?” Punz chuckled nervously, his relaxed posture beginning to look strained as his eyes darted between the two of them. “If you’re cops, I’d tell you to move on now.”
“We ain’t cops. Is Dream here?”
Niki’s gaze flicked to Techno, her mouth twisting in utmost displeasure.
“Dream? Seriously?”
Techno had said she might likeyou are getting out of our way.”
Truthfully, she wouldn’t have minded a chance to walk away from this house and all the annoying humans it contained, but she was far less likely to stand for her or her brother being disrespected than she was to avoid someone who creeped her the fuck out.
Actually shaking a little, Punz nodded, and backed away.
“Ok. Chill, I- jeez, ok. Ok. You can see him. He’s- probably in his room. Or the- the basement. I’ll check.”
Punz borderline turned and ran into the house, trying to divide it as a brisk walk. Smirking, Niki looked back at Techno.
“See? Ask for what you want. You normally get it.”
“Yeah, by scarin’ the shit out of him.”
Techno huffed, but grudgingly followed her inside. His axe got a little stuck in the door, and Niki heard something splinter, but a moment later he was clicking the door shut, and his ears were burning red when she looked back.
“Or… you could just break their house!” Niki grinned, teasingly cheerful to the extreme. “That works too, I suppose.”
“Shut it.” Techno grunted, sheathing the thing on his back, where it couldn’t cause too much harm.
Niki turned away, still smiling, and studied the house in front of them. There was a staircase just in front of them, a rich, mahogany thing with wood so dark as to be black. Or, alongside it, a corridor that looked like it lead to some sort of kitchen, and a door directly to their rights.
“Options, Desi?”
“Christ, don’t call me that. Sounds like I’m Q.” The disgust was evident in Techno’s voice, and Niki giggled into her hand. “Anyway, he’s comin’ back. Don’t scare him.”
“I should be telling you, big guy. Oh- hi!” Niki grinned, while Punz noticeably avoided eye contact. “Whatcha got?”
“He’s upstairs.” Punz stared at the wall to her left, hands firmly in his pockets. “Not here, at least.”
“Thanks.” Techno nodded, squeezing past Niki to lead the way upstairs. “Sister?”
“Brother.”
Nodding a friendly goodbye to Punz, Niki skipped after Techno, the stairs creaking on every other step.
“Relax, Nemesis, are you nervous?”
Niki abruptly realised she was bouncing on the balls of her feet, and stopped, blushing.
“No. I don’t want to see him. I just like spending time with you.”
She elbowed Techno, successfully redirecting the embarrassment to him. Successfully, because he looked away, grunting as he knocked on an unmarked door, just as old and well maintained as the rest of the townhouse.
“Dre? You in there?”
There was shuffling, a bang, and Niki felt her expression harden before the door even opened. This time, when it did, she had no desire to take over from Techno, instead merely glaring daggers at the young man now standing in the doorway.
Dream was, in reality, almost a century old now. Something Niki would be mildly bitter about every time she had to see his forever-young face. She didn’t like to mix business and personal grudges, but she’d make an exception for Dream.
He was also wearing a slightly dirty hoodie, ripped jeans, an empty gun harness and a ridiculously puppyish smile. Honestly, Niki preferred him with the mask. At least she didn’t have to see his stupid face.
Yeah, pretty much all of her emotions regarding Dream boiled down to disdain, frankly. Still, Niki managed a small smile as the human squealed in excitement, practically jumping on Techno to hug him.
“Techno! It’s been ages.”
“Yeah, hi to you too, teletubby.”
Dream made a muffled, aggrieved noise, but didn’t pull away from where he’d buried his face in Techno’s shoulder.
Niki glared at him, then at Techno, physically disgusted by the human attached to her brother.
“Seriously?”
Her voice was practically a hiss, and hopefully inaudible to Dream. Techno just smiled at her, suddenly a lot more relaxed than he had been, and nodded. Niki scowled.
Eventually- finally- Dream pulled away, eyes wide with a truly revolting about of adoration. Techno ruffled his hair, making the human shake his head, and make a small, squeaky noise of indignation.
“Hey!”
“How’ve you been?”
“Pretty good!” Dream’s enthusiasm didn’t ebb, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. “Want to see? And- uh…”
He’d finally noticed her. Niki didn’t give him even an inch, pure contempt and nothing else in her expression. Dream faltered momentarily, and shifted just a little closer to Techno, who looked down at him, and chuckled.
“Meet my sister, teletubby.”
“Yeah…” Dream’s face was slightly white, but he still tried to smile, and Niki narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “You- you’re not Dream, are you?”
It sounded kind of ridiculous, his own name in his mouth, and that alone made Niki give him a tight smile. He knew who she was, anyway. She’d been there, when he’d said he wanted to live forever.
“No. Death. You know that, don’t you?”
“Guess I did.” Dream’s own smile turned cold, and he let on a flash of his mask, the hunter he was when he wasn’t with Techno. “Nice to see you then, Lady.”
“Huh. You can be polite.” Techno scoffed, stroking Dream’s hair like a dog, and prompting a pouty glare from the human. “Who’d have thought.”
Niki smiled, enjoying watching Dream squirm a little, under her mocking gaze. But Techno noticed, and huffed, removing his hand from Dream’s hair.
“Honestly. Both of you, at least try to pretend to tolerate each other. What did you want to show me, Nikē?”
Now Niki wasn’t threatening him with eye contact, Dream was right back to vibrating with excitement, turning and practically scampering back into his room.
Before following him, Techno gave Niki a firm look. She held her hand up, rolling her eyes, already wishing herself anywhere else.
Look, it wasn’t her fault Techno had the worst friends.