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For the first time in a long time, Technoblade is excited about something that isn’t violent, not that he’d ever show it. A new library was opening in the Dream SMP, he didn’t know much about it, just that it was in neutral land and it was supposed to be peaceful. Naturally, he was distrustful of anything meant to be “peaceful”, so when he first visited he was more than prepared to fight for his life, as he stalked towards the small, cottage like building, he peered inside, seeing only one small figure inside, he walked in and was greeted by the sight of his previous comrade Niki sorting shelves. The bell rings as he comes in, and she turns around to see him, a smile spreading across her face.
“Techno! Hello!”
Niki chirps happily, hopping off her ladder to greet him. They approach eachother and Technoblade nods in acknowledgment.
“Niki. You run this?”
The Blade asks, his eyes surveying the cozy room with years of wariness and combat experience weighing on his mind. She nods excitedly, looking up at him with cheerful eyes.
“Yes! You’re the first person to visit, this is great, I know it isn’t a lot but I hope you like it.”
She smiles up at him sweetly, stepping back.
“I’ll leave you to it, let me know if you need anything.”
She tacks on, as she climbs back onto her ladder. He nods politely and wanders off to peruse the books. After a while of browsing, he selects “The Analects of Confucius” and sits down in the designated reading corner, curling up slightly and becoming engrossed by the book. After a while, Niki placed a cup of tea on the table to his right, and smiled warmly at him, she sits on the couch, giving him a respectful distance as she sets down her copy of “The House in the Cerulean Sea” and curls up, pulling a soft wool blanket over her small form.
At first, Techno is mildly uncomfortable with her presence, tensing slightly when he realizes she intends to sit with him, but after an hour or two of amiable silence, he relaxes. As the sun begins to set, Techno stands up and looks at the soft blonde woman sitting with him. “Thank you, I’ll… I’ll visit sometimes..” He mutters quietly, turning to leave. Niki giggles softly and waves at him. “Goodbye, Technoblade, come see me whenever you’d like.” She says happily, sipping her tea as he slips out.
The next day, Technoblade makes his return, with some books of his own, as he walks in, he hesitantly approaches her, wearing significantly less armor, exposing the scars on his broad forearms. “Niki… um… do you wanna sit with me again? I have some books I think you’d like if you’re uh… if you’re interested..” He mutters, looking down at her. Niki smiles up at him and nods, her very being warm and inviting, she walks to the couch and sits, patting the spot next to her. Techno awkwardly sits next to her and pulls a book from his satchel. “Um I have the uh… The Earthsea Cycle… you read it?” Techno asks tentatively, turning slightly to face her. When she shakes her head, he smiles softly behind his mask. “It’s about these guys who are trying to live in a society with magic, I’m not gonna spoil too much but it’s got some good themes and I think you might like it, I guess I could like.. make a donation to the library, n- not like it’s for you specifically or anything, just furthering the arts or whatever.” Techno blabbers, looking down at his boots. Niki smiles softly and gently takes the book from his hand. “I’d love to, Techno, would you like to read them together?” She asks quietly, looking up at him with her milk chocolate brown eyes, and of course he’s powerless to resist, so he simply nods, suddenly feeling very weak. She smiles radiantly and saunters over to the couch, sitting down and tucking her legs underneath her demurely, she pats the spot next to her and The Blade quickly joins her. Niki opens the book and scoots closer so that they can both read, resting her head on the cushion, close to his shoulder. He tenses slightly, but as they read together for a few hours, he eventually relaxes, even smiling a little bit whenever she looks over to him. As the minutes turn to hours, and the sun begins to set, the bubble of quiet safety and comfort they’ve created was suddenly popped by a very loud blonde boy, Tommyinnit, busting through the door, when he sees their relatively intimate positioning he gawks, as the pair separates hastily, but the damage has been done. “Technoblade! What the hell?! You- I- What the hell?! Niki?” Tommy sputters out, a shocked look on his face. “I didn’t know you were like this man! Good on you!” Tommy smiles at Techno as the larger man recomposes himself. “We were just reading, Tommy, shut the hell up. There’s nothing going on.” Techno says sternly, though his cheeks are notably redder than usual. Niki looks at Tommy and nods, though she keeps a respectful, shy distance from Technoblade, Tommy smiles at them knowingly. “Yeahhhh sure whatever man, actions speak louder than words and I saw your actions. Anyway I’ll leave you two to it, catch ya later Blade!” Tommy teases, as he turns and runs out. Technoblade sighs, and turns to his reading partner. “Sorry bout him, he’s uh… always trying to get one over on me some way or another… anyway I need to go uhhh.. go help Philza with the uh… bees. I’ll see you later, I guess.” Technoblade says, finally looking at her eyes. Niki smiles at him softly and nods. “Come to see me soon, Techno.” She says quietly, looking up at him with her deep brown eyes, and of course he nods immediately, powerless to resist her unintentional persuasion. “I will, see ya..” Techno slides out of the door awkwardly, waving as he does.
After about a month or so of this process, Technoblade came to grow fond of his former fellow revolutionary, to the point where one morning, as the sun had just begun to rise, Niki steps out of her library in just her pajamas, to see Technoblade finishing.. an ice boat bridge? She approaches him, and taps his armored shoulder, as he turns to her, he sees her, thinly veiled by her simple silk robe. He gulps and blushes slightly as she speaks. “Techno? What are you doing? What’s this? Where does it go?” Niki inquires, her hands coming to rest on his shoulder. “Um.. well I-.. uh… You know it’s kinda inconvenient to have to trident over here every time… so I decided to make a bridge straight from my house.. I mean this is neutral territory so it’s not like it’s gonna get me attacked or anything…” Technoblade says shyly, looking over her head. Niki giggles and smiles radiantly, wrapping her arms around his waist, and hugging him, she yelps as the thorns sting her, then giggles. “That’s so amazing Techno! Does that mean I can come visit you, too?” She asks, as she slowly walks towards the newly finished bridge. Techno shrugs in response. “I mean I guess, not that you need to. I’ll usually be here or busy.” Techno says nonchalantly, though his heart races at the thought of Niki in his spotless home. She smiles radiantly at him and pulls him to the library, her skin practically sparkling in the early morning light.
The next day, Techno doesn’t show up. Niki dismisses this eventually, saying he must be busy or perhaps just doesn’t want to see her (Though the second option makes her heart ache in ways it shouldn’t), but then he misses the next day. Then the next, then the next, and then the next. On the 5th day, Niki stares at the ice bridge, contemplating, until she makes up her mind, she throws on her armor and grabs a boat, she tosses the boat on the ice and races across the server to see her missing companion. As she comes to a stop, the frigid air of the arctic envelops her and she sees a cozy looking cabin ahead of her, she trudges across the frigid grass and knocks on the door, after multiple tries with no response, she walks in and sees Technoblade sleeping in his bed, shirtless and without his mask, clearly sick. She walks over and gently strokes his cheek. “Techno?” She calls softly, leaning down to feel his temperature. Technoblade stirs slightly, and blearily gazes up at her. “Niki?.. huh?.. you’re not… you don’t need to be here..” He murmurs exhaustedly, trying to sit up. She stops him with a gentle shove to lay down. “You could’ve told me you’re sick..” She says, exploring the house to gather supplies to take care of him. He groans in response as he watches her pitter patter around his kitchen, gathering medicine and supplies to take care of him. “You don’t need to… cut it out.. I’m fine it’s just a cold..” He says groggily, once again trying to sit up, she shoots him a look. “Stay down, I’m taking care of you whether you like it or not, Technoblade” She says sternly, gently pushing him to lay down, he sighs in response and closes his eyes. Listening to the sound of her working and her angelic humming lulls him to sleep, seeing this, she finishes her work and sits next to his bed, reading as he sleeps, comforted by the steady sound of his deep breaths.
When Technoblade came to, he noticed two things. One, he felt like hell, he had a migraine, his throat was dry, and his limbs felt like they were made of lead. Second, there appeared to be an angel sitting next to him, a very beautiful brown haired woman. After a few moments of thinking, he realized it was his friend Niki, and indeed not an angel. When she saw him come to, she gently placed her finger to his lips to silence him. She smiled down at him sweetly and brought a spoonful of soup to his lips. Technoblade, being mostly out of it and working at 20% his normal mental capacity, obediently opened his mouth and received the warm soup, repeating this process until the bowl was sufficiently drained. He then consumed some pills of some sort, and then a warm feeling spread through him as he felt her lips press against his forehead, she kissed his head and looks down at him. “Sleep now, Technoblade, I’ll be here.” She croons softly, stroke his hair, he immediately falls victim to her comforts, falling into a deep sleep.
Over the next few days, this process was repeated, with Niki nursing her friend to health to the best of her abilities. Eventually he does become better, and she leaves, the next day he shows up at her library, holding a satchel nervously. “Niki?.. um, here, this is for you just as payment for taking care of me..” He hands her the satchel, and when she takes it, she immediately drops it, the weight astounding her, she opens it up and inside are various jewel including gold diamonds emerald and netherite, she sighs. “Techno… no.. I cant take this. I don’t need payment for taking care of you, I took care of you because I wanted to, because I care about you, not for this. I appreciate the sentiment really, but I don’t need it. I need you back, back here with me.” She says quietly, her arms on his shoulder. He looks down at her, shocked. Techno opens his mouth to resist but the warm, almost loving look on her face shuts him up. He sighs. “Fine then, consider it a donation to the library then, I don’t know. Please Niki, it’s for you.” He says, his voice unusually soft as he gazes down at her, his hands come to rest on her hips. She sighs, and leans closer to him, she cups his cheek gently and gazes into his eyes, leaning closer, then closer. She opens her mouth to speak in a soft whisper “Technoblade… I-“ “OH MY GOD WHAT THE FUCK!” The would be lovers wrench away from eachother as TommyInnit screams like a banshee, they both blush a deep red as the blonde child jolts around the store like a maniac, until Technoblade grabs him by the collar. “Nothing happened Tommy. Nothing. We were just talking.” Techno growls, though his face is stained a deep red and it ruins his intimidating effect. Tommy squirms and struggles, yelping. “Like hell man! You were about to kiss Niki! I’m telling Will!” Technoblade pauses, and drops Tommy, looking at him sternly. “Why would you tell Wilbur? This has nothing to do with him, and it has nothing to do with you either, nothing happened we’re just two adults having a conversation.” Techno says, his voice wary, Tommy shakes his head. “Look man whatever I don’t care what you and Niki do and I know what I saw, but Will has the hots for her so I’m gonna tell him.” As soon as Tommy says this, he’s dropped to the ground, and Techno whirls over to Niki’s side, holding her protectively. “Will is crazy! No way would I ever let him anywhere near her.” Technoblade growls, Niki leans into his embrace slightly, her head resting on his pectoral muscle. Tommy laughs. “I knew it! I know what I saw, Techno! You and her totally have a thing. But sorry man I’m gonna have to tell Will, he deserves to know.” And with that, the child scurries off, leaving the lovers tangled together intimately. They stay there for just a moment, simply enjoying the presence of their person close.
Reluctantly, they part, and Niki looks at him.
”Technoblade. I think you’re amazing, everything about you. When we first met, I have to admit, I was scared of you. The mask, the armor, the weapons, even your voice. It terrified me. But now…”
she rests her hand on his face, gently stroking it.
“I know that you would never use those things to hurt me, only to protect me, because that’s who you are. You’re so brave and loyal, so generous and loving, just in your own way. I’m in love with you, Techno, and I think I have been for quite some time now.”
Techno looks down at her in awe, as if seeing a literal angel in his arms, he cups her cheek with reverence.
“Niki. I love you too. I know it can be hard to tell, but I do. These quiet moments with you… they’ve been everything to me recently. I would give anything to keep you safe and happy. Thank you for everything, for the happiness you’ve given me, the comfort and safety. You mean so much to me, and I promise from now on, I’ll treat you like the angel you are.”
With that promise, he decides to seal it with a kiss, he leans forward and finally kisses the girl he loves. At first he’s awkward and inexperienced, as he’s never really had a partner, but Niki gently guides him, until they’re both comfortable with the kiss. Niki pulls away gently and smiles at him.
”You’re doing good, lovely, I’m so happy with you, cmon let’s read together.”
Niki suggests, gently guiding her partner to the couch, where they cuddle up and read together.
As weeks pass they grow more comfortable with their love, even going out on cute dates and Techno being (kind of) affectionate in public, but one day, Niki gets a knock on her door, and it’s not Technoblade. Instead, WilburSoot decided to visit her, as soon as Niki sees this, she sends a message to Technoblade, and greets him.
”Will! How are you!”
She greets cheerfully, as the tall British man walks through the door. He approaches her, a slightly crazed smile on his face.
”Niki! I’m doing great, doing great. Never better, really. Hey I heard you’ve been going strong with Technoblade, right?”
Wilbur asks, approaching her as he takes off his bag. Niki takes a hesitant step back, as he draws closer.
”Yeah! He’s actually on his way right now, if you wanna see him?”
Niki say warily, Wilbur just laughs.
”Oh no, I’ll be gone by then. I’m just leaving you with a little present, see, I loved you Niki, and I thought you loved me too, but now, you’re with him. So I decided, if I can’t have you, why should anyone?”
Wilbur throws fire charges across the wooden library, and bolts out, sealing the door and boarding it. Niki cries out and tries any way to escape her fiery coffin, trying to ram through the door, even break down the walls, but it’s no use. As she accepts her fate, a huge crash is heard as the wooden door splinters, and her wonderful boyfriend walks in and scoops her up to save her.
Technoblade kisses her head and carries her to his home, as soon as they’re inside, he strips off her clothes to survey the damage. She’s burnt all over and has bloodied knuckles and splinters all over her hands. He gets to work, preparing potions and burn cream, aswell as collecting to snow to soothe her pain. He works with fierce, one minded dedication, until she’s covered in bandages and passed out. As soon as he’s done, he lays her in his bed and joins her, holding her delicately and protectively.
As Niki comes to, she remembers everything, and realizes that her lover must’ve saved her. She turns over and looks to him, seeing her watch him protectively, she smiles and snuggles deeper into his arms, she whispers against his chest.
”I love you, Techno.”
Her voice is quiet and raspy, but the affection in her voice is unmistakable. He responds by holding her closer and kissing her hair.
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
Technoblade whispers, as his lover falls asleep in his arms.
Techno realizes that, although the library he first sought after has now been razed, it served its purpose to build his connection with this perfect woman in his arms. And as he reflects more and more, he comes to the conclusion that maybe they don’t need to rebuild the library, maybe, their love should stay here in the arctic, where no soul would dare interrupt it. So as Technoblade watches the sunset through the window, he feels perfectly content in the fact that there’s no condition in his love for her, nor her love for him, and that they’ll be together forever.