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“You're fucking with me!” Tommy groaned as his subordinates fidgeted in front of him, shrinking as much as he could under Tommy’s glare.
“No sir, Techn- General Blade, requested your presence at his tent.” The soldier trembled before Tommy waved his hand to dismiss the weakling. Then Tommy grabbed his satchel and stormed out of the tent.
Tommy wasn't surprised when General Technoblade of the Hypixel Empire called for yet another meeting. He’d requested Tommy almost every day now, and it was becoming tiresome. They were in a war for Prime’s sake, and they didn’t need to have these stupid meetings every fucking day.
Again, it was tiring, and Tommy always felt exhausted afterwards. He knew why now but it was still irritating. Tommy still went, no matter the inconvenience. He tried to keep a scowl on his face as he approached the general’s tent, stomping as he went. Yet his lips curled just a bit, a subtle smirk he forced back into the frown.
They'd been allies for eight months, a single month less than the whole war had been going on, and it'd been something. Besides General Blade summoning Tommy every fucking day, the soldiers had worked excellently together, covering weak points quickly, and caring for the injured so efficiently most would have assumed that their kingdoms had a permanent alliance instead of being sworn enemies. Hypixel and Baie d’Entreprises had been at each other's throats long before Tommy could even remember, always over something petty; stolen land, a cow, a sheep, insults here and there, and maybe a cat or two (there was probably some serious shit at some point, but all seriousness has been exhausted long ago).
Until the Rêverie Empire decided to try and take both Hypixel and Baie d’Entreprises’s lands, ravaging crops and villages in their wake. They had started out on separate sides, fighting alone, until it became apparent that certain sides (not Tommy's, of course) needed a bit more assistance. So began the steady alliance. Steady and boring, Tommy couldn't help but think as he parted the crimson curtains to the general’s tent. The general was sitting far away from Tommy, at the end of a long wooden table. His face was settled into a very neutral expression and he straightened up as Tommy parted the curtains. Tommy skipped any formalities and headed right to the Blade’s chair. The man, well piglin, his face had a snot and everything was covered in pink fur, was coolly confident in his own imagined strength. His tusks stuck straight out, sharp and decorated in gold, and seemed somehow to be their own statement of strength.
The piglin’s blood red eyes watched, following Tommy's every step. Tommy didn’t speak, the dickhead didn't deserve it, calling him just before lunch, like always. So Tommy instead fell into the chair that belonged to the Blade’s right hand. Said man was nowhere to be seen, and it was only right that Tommy, the man that he is, took a chair close to his ally, to glare at him the most effectively. The room was still as plain as ever, just the wooden table with plush red chairs and nothing more but the black curtains that led to the kitchen located behind the meetingplace.
Blade’s only response to Tommy’s actions of lounging in the wrong red plush chair was to raise his left brow. Tommy waited for any address from the Blade as he made himself quite comfortable. The piglin seemed happy to just watch Tommy squirm slightly in the silence, so Tommy started the conversation himself.
“So, Mr. Blade," Tommy articulated in his most sickeningly sweet voice. Tommy noticed the small curl of the piglin’s lips around his tusks, as the boy continued to address the general. “What has occurred for us to have yet another one of these oh-so-important meetings?” Tommy drew out the last part just to annoy the piglin and by the slight eye roll from the general, the tactic worked well.
“Well Theseus,” The Blade returned in a sharp tone, learning forward onto the table and angling to glare at Tommy. Tommy responded with his own scowl and waited. It took a few seconds of silence before Tommy gave up, with a huff and a quiet ‘fine’ he maneuvered into a more proper sitting position, before continuing to stare at Techno.
The Blade smiled a bit more obviously before crushing it as he continued. Tommy had already picked up on some of his tricks, subtle signs that he was just teasing the boy, but also wanted some respect. Said respect wasn’t really what Tommy wanted to give, but he must for their alliance to work.
He was still salty about that first meeting where the Blade called him out on that.
But still he respected the Blade’s tonal message of “get your shit together and sit.” Probably said in a much more polite way than Tommy was thinking, but fuck him!
“I wanted to share my lunch with you, as my meeting with the king has been canceled.”
“Why?” Tommy raised a brow as he noticed one of the cooks peeking out, before ducking back into the kitchen.
“The meal has already been prepared, and it’d be wasteful to throw it out.” Techno waved his hand to his chef (Tommy assumed based on the hat). The man basically dashed away at the sign. Tommy glared at Techno.
“You’ve got hundreds of fuckheads you can feed, why?” Tommy left off the ‘me’ part, but it definitely came across.
“You really didn't hold out on the cussing.”
Tommy really wanted to respond with a ‘fuck you,’ but that was proving Techno’s point, so he just pouted instead. The chef quickly returned with a few plates, and placed them in front of the duo before retreating with much haste.
“Besides I've got information on the enemy's plan.”
“Now we’re talking!” Tommy yelled, and grabbed the silverware just to the right of his plate.
“Don't say I don't keep you involved.” Technoblade snickered as he took a bit of his food. It was a simple meal of rice, chicken, and some noodles, all coated in some sort of sauce. Tommy rolled his eyes as he took a bite, mixing the sauce in before shoveling it into his mouth. He was less polite than the piglin and more like a normal pig, but thankfully, Technoblade paid him no mind.
The piglin filled the conversation as they ate, discussing the new plan of Rêverie Empire, which boiled down to them planning to attack from the west, just as the sun started to set, to hopefully blind Tommy’s and Technoblade’s soldiers. Tommy swallowed before suggesting they ‘take out the sun too.’
Technoblade laughed, barely pausing before continuing to explain how obvious the plan was, and it being the topical action of a coward. Tommy listened as intently as he could, ignoring the subtle sting of his food that left a tingle on his tongue, or the very light tightening of his gut. He had figured out this game too, but Tommy has surprises for the Blade today.
He slowed considerably as he went, pulling out his most tired act. Tommy slurred out “‘ed I do ‘omething?"
The piglin's mouth curled as he continued to eat, and Tommy rested his face on his fist. He pouted and glared at Techno, distracting the general, while Tommy rummaged through his satchel. He slowly pulled out the ring, holding it close, but not tight. No need to ruin the surprise right now. Tommy adjusted his position, slipping his right hand back below the table and moving the ring to his middle finger, prepped and waiting.
Soon both of their food was cleared, and a drink was placed in front of them both. Tommy's stomach tightened, anticipating a punch that wouldn’t come. The drink fizzed, enchanted, or mixed with some sort of magic, probably to add the small bubbles.
Tommy swallowed his grin as he drunkenly pushed at the glass, paying no mind to Techno’s red eyes following him.
“ ‘he fuck is this?” Tommy slurred out annoyed, making sure to put up the act the best he could based off of his own memory of Techno’s game.
He had poisoned Tommy.
It took Tommy months to figure out why he felt so tired, and groggy after talking, or having dinner with the pink pig man. His memory was cloudy but his body was rested. His blonde curls were always so smooth and clean, even if Tommy hadn’t taken care of them earlier, and even if he did, they were always thoroughly cleaned after being around Technoblade.
The Blade had been poisoning Tommy, with some sort of potion and maybe some magic or enchantment. Usually Tommy would fall asleep soon after taking it, and he’s certain it had happened a lot. But now he has his own plan. The drugging hadn’t been especially bad with Technoblade, but no one drugged the great Tommy-innit and got away with it for long.
Now he was back to the same situation with the poisoned drink right in front of him and the general watching intensely. The lemon-oranges drink’s bubbles popped as Techno explained, “It’s just some Champagne with no alcohol in it, just some magic to simulate the same flavor.”
Techno sipped his drink, trying to portray that everything was fine. Tommy held the glass with both hands, his eyes widening as he pulled it closer, a slight tremble in his hands. Tommy slowly lifted the glass to his face as usual, sniffing it, an old habit as a child, smelling for poison or something nasty, usually it’s the latter.
It smelled much more fruity than the color would have made him believe.
The drink was what made him feel the most strange, compared to the food with its slight sting. It was the same poison, based only on the tingling, just a different amount.
After drinking it, Tommy would have had blurred vision and a foggy memory–at least he would have if the substance still affected Tommy the same way it had before. It was a good-tasting poison which allowed Tommy to happily gulp it down without catching on.
Techno sighed as Tommy drank. He slowed his movements as Tommy got half way through his drink and the blonde boy wiped the liquid off his face. Tommy added a gentle sway to his movements.
“‘Erid,” Tommy slurred as he blinked as slowly as he could, like a snail moving through mud.
“That's fine,” Technoblade said as he abandoned his barely touched cup. He stood up, making the wooden chair legs screech, making Tommy let out a little whine as he squeezed his eyes shut. He tried to shrink into the chair, curling up as much as he could into the plush fabric. This was his chance to give Techno a little taste of his own medicine.
Tommy felt Techno’s unusual warmth as the piglin came closer to the boy. Technoblade rubbed Tommy’s back, causing the boy to uncurl and look just a bit.
“What?” Tommy slurred but still chose to lean into Techno, moving slowly. He played the part perfectly, a doll that was putty in the hands of the puppeteer.
What could only be described as a purr came out of Techno’s chest as he brushed Tommy's curls. He gently combed through the knots that had accumulated throughout the day with his hoof hands. Tommy tried to mumble something and Techno just huffed at it. Tommy was almost offended that the piglin didn't try to decipher his muttered words, but at the same time Tommy quietly reminded himself that he was supposed to be drugged and the hoofs in his hair did feel so nice. The very subtle tug at his roots and the warm pressure was just nice. Tommy barely noticed himself leaning further into Technoblade, chasing the warmth. The safety. Sure Techno was drugging him, but, honestly, he didn’t do anything bad, and, honestly, the general of the Hypixel Empire was probably the safest person to be with.
Safe.
Tommy was safe in the hands of the Blade, and his brain hummed, content to stay in the arms of an ally who he saw as family. Some part of Tommy’s fucked up family, but still family all the same.
The boy almost abandoned the plan when the soft patter of footsteps approached the duo. A snarl from above him froze Tommy for a moment, then his eyes shot open as ice surged through his veins.
The piglin cut off the snarl, chuffing at Tommy, which was probably an apology, before addressing the intruder with a sharp “What!?”
“Sorry, sir, but the Baie d’Entreprise is requesting to speak to Prince Thomas.” The messenger boy didn’t stutter his words, but the sharp breaths were enough to portray his nerves. Tommy almost felt bad as he relaxed back into Techno's hold, who was tightening his own grip on the blonde.
“Tell them he's resting and will respond once he awakens.”
“Alright, sir. Is he-?” After those words were cut off by a growl, the messenger boy yelped and scurried out of the tent with much haste.
“Simpletons.” Techno growled, as he petted Tommy's head a little more forcefully than before, drawing a little gasp from Tommy as Techno pulled at a knot. The piglin chuffed again, as Technoblade adjusted his grip and then was much more gentle with the blonde curls.
Although Tommy remembered his plan for revenge, its purpose shifted to being a fun present for himself: for usually being the restrained prince, calmly following orders, and being mature. He was allowed to go batshit crazy now after everything the Blade had done. Quietly, Tommy leaned further into the warmth of Technoblade, moving his hand slowly to just above the piglin’s knee. He quickly flicked off the cap of the small ring’s needle, exposing the small blade.
“What now?” Technoblade said after a while, oblivious to the needle just above his knee, and instead just going on like everything was normal. Well, as normal as it could be after months of poisoning your ally to cuddle with them and bug them. It was almost ridiculous the effort Technoblade put in to just have someone to hold.
Tommy almost rolled his eyes, but held it in. He held his palm flat, hovering just above the piglin’s knee.
Tommy didn't really know what he was waiting for or why. Maybe it was the warmth, something the boy hadn’t felt in so long or the protectiveness that must have prompted the piglin to do these poisonings. Or maybe it was just so Techno could see Tommy as a helpless child, so the Blade’s ego could stand tall. Tommy pouted, letting a small whine slip out at the mere thought.
Techno made a questioning noise before leaning over Tommy covering Tommy's small frame as he looked around. Tommy felt the small movements through the brushing against Tommy’s head.
Tommy huffed before drawing his hand away and slamming it back into Techno’s thigh. Techno let out a deep ‘ow’ before jumping back from Tommy. Tommy knew exactly when the poison affected the piglin; Technoblade stumbled. He stumbled forward to grip the chair Tommy resided in, attempting to hold himself up.
“What?” Techno groaned as he tried to support himself and remain upright, even as the poison flooded his system.
“My own brew, thought it’d be a great payment.” Tommy didn’t give Techno a chance to respond before pushing the chair back. Techno fell with a loud thud, crashing onto his back before rolling to his side. “For all the poison you gave me.”
Technoblade looked at Tommy with furrowed brows, but wide eyes and blown pupils. Tommy strutted to his side, watching the piglin’s eyes follow him as he crouched down.
“Whatcha think? Good enough payment for all your clingy behavior?” Tommy’s grin was sharp as Technoblade shock turned to a laugh.
“You are a little imp,” Technoblade growled as he struggled to keep his arms up, his eyes blinking rapidly to stay awake.
“Yep, and you're a dick,” Tommy smirked as Techno pivoted forwards, crashing fully to the ground, eyes closing as Tommy repeated one of the phrase's Technoblade had said to him one drugged night. “You’re mine.”
Tommy knew exactly when Technoblade woke up, as he jostled around, enough to dislodge Tommy’s clinging to his side. Tommy pouted as he poked Techno’s face. The piglin’s eyes snapped open, and he snapped at Tommy’s finger, which Tommy had smoothly moved away before any harm could occur.
“Watch it, bitchnoblade.”
Technoblade stopped briefly before pushing himself up.
Bitch.
He fully dislodged Tommy and the blonde moved away to give the piglin room. He looked around with a blank stare before giving Tommy a deadpan look.
“How long did it take you to figure it out?”
”Bitch how about a thank you for taking you to your nest instead of a fucking pit!” Tommy motioned around them. He had memorized the direction Technoblade had headed once he started to have an immunity to the poison. The nest wasn't far from the general tent, but it was very different in style.
While the general’s tent was a barren room with only war stuff at the best of times, the nest was another world.
Hundreds of fabrics, thick and thin, were laid around, mostly shades of red, but never very bright shades. Lanterns and gold chains hung from the tent’s support beams, adding a very warm light and shine to all the red. He and Technoblade were in the dedicated center, where blankets and pillows were arranged in a circle to make a flat comfy resting spot.
“Rude,” Techno said as he tugged at the rope around his wrist.
“Fuck you, you're been drugging me for months!”
“How long?” Technoblade said between his eye rolls. The question lingered for a bit. Tommy looked away while Technoblade’s brow raised. A few more seconds passed before Technoblade repeated the question. Tommy refused to meet his eyes, and waited. He let out a long sigh before he actually spoke.
“Ugh, four months.” Tommy finally responded, collapsing on some of the pillows, hiding his reddening face behind his arm. It was so embarrassing that it took him that long to realize he was being drugged. The memories had started to appear in bits and pieces, and then Tommy was fully there for a lot of them in the past month.
Techno chuckled a bit before asking the other big question: “So what did you drug me with?”
“Nothing,” Tommy said with a bright smirk and in the most innocent voice he could muster. Techno kept his face neutral as he stared at Tommy.
“You have no idea.”
“Excuse you!” Tommy screeched, scowling at the piglin. “I made it all myself, I know everything in it and fuckface-“ Tommy poked Technics chest, staring him right in the eye. “-I made it to interact with your poison.”
“How?” Techno smirked as Tommy then ranted about how he at first tried to reconstruct the drink, then tried to analyze it. He did that for weeks before accidentally learning the cook knew the recipe. He pressured the cook for the poison recipe, and with some more potions, Tommy made his own poison that would react to the original poison.
“Impressive,” Techno said after a full minute of silence.
“It fucking better b-,” Tommy was snatched by the piglin and pulled down into a hug. “You dick!”
“Work on your knot work,” Techno said, caging Tommy in his hold. The child started his screeching but didn’t fight the piglin's hold. The prince cussed the piglin out and entire his theoretical bloodline. Tommy never fought the piglin's hold, choosing to cling to him instead, just as much as the piglin was. He buried his face into Techno's shirt, and pulled him an inch closer, as Tommy wrapped his arms around the piglin, as much as he could.
“Comfy?” Technoblade questioned in a soft voice after Tommy had concluded his rant and had gone silent.
“Shut up!”
”Why drug me just to do the sure thing?”
“Fuck you.”
Techno didn’t retort, just rubbed Tommy’s head and pulled him as close as he could. He disconnected one arm from his hold around Tommy, earning a small, involuntary whine. Technoblade shushed him with a chuff before pulling a blanket over them.
“Seriously-“ Tommy said after a few minutes. Techno just hummed a note, before tightening his grip, trapping Tommy in his hold.
Tommy scowled just as Techno pushed the boy closer until so their foreheads touched.
“Mine.” Techno growled out, Tommy couldn't help but match the sound and mutter his own ‘mine.’ Apparently, neither of them had their own family bonding time. This was probably the best either was going to find in their war-torn world. Both stayed there, just holding on, and settling into the silence.
“Dick.”
“Had to ruin the bonding moment, didn't you, Theseus?” Techno said, pulling away just in time to avoid Tommy trying to bite him.
Brothers in arms and hopefully a family in the end.