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Technoblade had spent years fighting; years fearing; years wasted... 4 years to be exact. But now, he finally was hanging up his sword for good.
After all, he had his own cottage to tend to, with his own wolves and bears and crops. He had stacks of books to read and some very important people he needed to see. Techno couldn't remember the last time he had been home. Most of his time was spent patrolling his winter biome and getting involved in all the local drama. He was always playing the hero– keeping the peace in the SMP. Most nights, he'd end up sleeping over at a person's home or ducking in a dusty library, not wanting to go home and put his family in danger or risk slacking at his duties.
The Piglin-man approached his cottage- the glow from it's windows and the barking of his wolves a familiar yet distant sound. He hovered his hand over the doorknob, unsure what he'd find when he opened the door... What if everything had changed? What if Phil and Tommy weren't really waiting for him? What if all his wolves were gone and his books and movies and papers sold or thrown away... What if-
Techno took a deep breath and opened the door. The sight that greeted him could've made him cry (though he wasn't sure if he was capable of such an act anymore). His wolves were sat waiting for him, tails thumping the floor. All his shelves were near and tidied, his books organized–
Everything was as it was; as it had been.
"Techno!!" An all-too-familiar voice sounded. Somebody slammed their body into his, practically jumping with excitement- Tommy. The boy hadn't changed too much, he just looked older. Time does that to a person.
He'd estimate Tommy was maybe 14 now.
"Oh my god- you're really back... What the fuck?!"
Technoblade, all at once, snapped out of his thoughts and returned the hug fiercely.
"Hey, Tom..."
"I fucking missed you, Techno... Don't leave that long again, please?"
The way Tommy's sentence came out as a question broke Techno's heart a bit.
"Yeah... I won't leave again... I missed you too, kid..."
The brothers remained in silence, feeling each other's presence for the first time in far too long.
Eventually, Tommy let go of Techno who was then greeted by every one of his wolves- all 6, barking, whining, and leaping at him. He realized they must have missed him too... It was a weird thought... Do dogs (or wolves in this case) experience the act of missing someone, and that feeling of longing and loneliness, in the same way mortals do? Techno didn't have an answer, but, if the wolves' reactions were any indicative sample, then the answer was 'yes'.
Finally... The last person Techno had to greet revealed himself.... Techno had been half scared that Phil wouldn't look like himself by the time Techno got back– maybe he'd be greying, or his wings would be plucked sparse, or his eyes would be lined with a tired, dull black.
Instead, the man Technoblade was met with was the same one he had left 4 years prior. The same blonde hair and beard, the same brilliant, black crow wings, the same gentle emerald eyes... It was all the same...
Techno hugged Philza, who immediately returned the gesture, wrapping his wings around his son.
And for the first time in so, so long, Technoblade cried. Phil cried too.
"Hey mate..."
"I missed you so fucking much, old man... I'll never go away again, I swear..."
Phil shook his head, running a hand through Techno's long, messily ponytail-ed hair, "Shh... I know, mate... I missed you too..."
Tommy joined in on the hug after corralling the wolves so they could be near too.
Technoblade felt things he hadn't felt before. He felt comfort. He felt joy. And a rush of nostalgia; of security and familiarity... He was home...
And as he ran his hands along his shelves of books and trinkets, across the cold, stone floor he hadn't touched in so long. As he sat down with his family on that ragged, old, red couch, bathed in amber light from the fireplace. As he rested his head on Phil's shoulder and Tommy rested against his other side, Technoblade felt at home... He felt like he had a home again...
Gazing at the snowy world outside his cottage, Technoblade imagined this was how Odysseus felt returning to his family after 20 years...
Except Techno didn't know what he'd do if he was away from his family, his house, and all he knew for that long...
Now, he was glad he'd never have to find out...