Work Text:
It was late at night at the headquarters. Very late.
By three in the morning, the halls had gone almost completely silent. The usual footsteps had disappeared. No voices drifted from the common room. Even the occasional hum of machinery seemed quieter at this hour, reduced to a faint mechanical murmur somewhere deep within the building.
Most of the team had already gone to sleep hours ago. Even Tech's lab was dark. That, perhaps, was the strangest part.
Tech's lab was usually the loudest place in the headquarters. There was almost always something running inside—some machine whirring, something buzzing, metal clinking against metal, or Tech muttering to himself as he worked on yet another invention that nobody had asked him to make.
Tech was usually the last person awake. If anyone was still wandering the halls at one in the morning, it was probably him. But three in the morning?
Tech would normally still be hunched over a workbench, goggles pushed up onto his forehead, insisting that he was almost finished with whatever he had been building.
Or perhaps he'd fallen asleep at his workbench with the lights still on, folded into some impossibly uncomfortable position that would leave him sore the next morning.
But tonight, even his lab lights were off. Rev had noticed it earlier when he'd wandered past. He'd almost stopped to stare.
Huh.
Maybe Tech had actually gone back to sleep in his room. The thought alone was strange enough that Rev had briefly wondered if something was wrong.
Apparently, Tech was capable of sleeping after all. Unfortunately, Rev wasn't. He had been lying in bed for what felt like hours. He shifted beneath the blankets, turning onto his side.
Nope.
He turned onto his back.
Worse.
Rev stared at the ceiling. His eyes were tired. His body was tired. Somehow, his brain had decided that three in the morning was the perfect time to think about absolutely everything.
He sighed and pulled the blanket higher.
“Come on…”
Nothing. He closed his eyes again. Maybe if he just stayed still long enough—
GrrrRRRrrr.
Rev's eyes snapped open. He froze. Slowly, he looked down at his stomach.
“…Seriously?”
His stomach growled again. Louder. Rev stared at it with open betrayal.
“Ugh… you've gotta be kidding me.”
Another rumble answered him. He groaned and buried his face in his pillow. Of course. He wasn't tired enough to sleep, and now he was hungry enough that he couldn't ignore it. After another few seconds of arguing with his own stomach, Rev finally threw the blanket aside and sat up.
“Fine. Fine.” He dragged himself out of bed. “I'll get something for us.”
The headquarters was even quieter once he stepped into the hall. Rev shuffled along in his sleep clothes, rubbing one eye as he headed toward the kitchen. The lights were dimmed for nighttime, casting long shadows across the empty corridors.
He passed Tech's lab again. The windows were completely dark. Rev slowed down and glanced through the glass.
Nothing.
Not even the faint glow of a monitor.
“Huh.” Tech really was asleep. “Guess the world didn't end.” Rev thought as he continued toward the kitchen.
He wasn't exactly planning to cook anything complicated. At three in the morning, he wasn't about to start making some elaborate meal. He grabbed whatever he could find—something quick, something edible, something that would hopefully convince his stomach to stop complaining.
Until he spotted something and stopped. On the counter sat a rather fancy-looking cake, neatly sealed beneath a glass cover. There was even a little orange sticky note attached to the front. Rev leaned closer and squinted. The handwriting was tiny.
"Danger Duck's Cake, Don't even try to take what's not yours or you shall suffer from my super—"
Rev's eyes narrowed. He leaned even closer. The rest of the sentence was practically microscopic. There were several more words. Possibly a threat. Possibly an entire paragraph. Possibly an ancient curse he never heard.
Rev stared at it for another three seconds. Then he gave up.
“Yeah.. No.. I'm not reading all that.”
He didn't have the energy to decipher Danger Duck's microscopic handwriting. Besides, Rev knew exactly whose cake it was. Danger Duck's cake. He glanced at it again. Then his stomach growled, Rev looked down then back at the cake.
“…You know.” He folded his arms. “This is really interesting.”
His eyes drifted toward the sticky note. Danger Duck had always been strangely protective of his food, especially after what he'd done to Rev's cookies. Rev's expression slowly changed.
Oh. Right. How could he forget this?
The cookies. His secret stash. The one he'd hidden behind three different containers, inside the back of the pantry, specifically because he knew Duck would eventually find them. And Duck had found them anyway.
Every single one.
Rev discovered the empty container the next morning, along with absolutely no remorse from the unidentified thief. He had his suspicions that Duck was responsible, but when Rev confronted him about the missing cookies, Duck simply denied it without hesitation.
It took three months to finally find out who had been stealing his disappearing cookies. Duck eventually confessed after he thought he’d accidentally killed Rev with Ace’s laser vision power back when everyone’s powers got swapped. Thankfully, Rev had Tech’s Molecular Regeneration power at the time—or he would’ve ended up as a roasted bird, permanently.
Rev had not forgotten. Not even a little. He looked at the cake again. A slow smile crept across his face. The smell alone nearly made his stomach growl again. He immediately put the cover back.
“No. Rev... You should be the bigger person here...”
He paused. His stomach protested, rev sighed.
“...Okay, maybe.”
For a moment, an imaginary version of himself appeared on his right shoulder sat a tiny, angelic Rev, complete with a little golden halo hovering above his head and a pair of soft white wings folded neatly behind him. He looked almost painfully sincere.
“Rev,” Angel Rev said, pointing firmly at the cake. “You can not just take something that does not belong to you.”
On his left, Devil Rev lounged comfortably with a crooked grin. His halo was nowhere to be found. Instead, two little horns poked from his head, accompanied by a pair of dark, slightly scruffy wings. In one hand, he casually twirled a tiny pitchfork, the pointed tip occasionally tapping against his shoulder.
“Counterpoint,” Devil Rev said, gesturing his staff toward the cake. “Duck stole your cookies.”
“That does not make stealing his cake acceptable.” Angel Rev frowned.
“He stole an entire stash. AN ENTIRE STASH.” Devil Rev grabbed a megaphone and speak through it.
“That's irrelevant.”
“Secret cookies.”
"Well.." Angel Rev hesitated.
“Exactly.” Devil Rev's grin widened.
Rev stared blankly between the two of them. His stomach growled again.
“Just Be the bigger person, Rev.” Angel Rev straightened his tiny halo.
“Take the cake, you've earned it.” Devil Rev leaned forward, practically vibrating with anticipation.
“Don't do it, Rev. You'll regret it.”
“Oh, take it. You'll regret leaving it.”
Rev looked at the cake, then at the empty cookie container, then back at the cake. He considered this carefully. At three in the morning. For approximately two seconds.
“Justice is served.” Rev carefully picked up the cake.
The angel folded his wings with a disappointed sigh. The devil's wings perked up triumphantly. Then, with nothing left to argue about, both imaginary figures vanished in two little puffs of smoke.
“I'm pretty sure this doesn't count as stealing. I can't even read the threat and if I can't read it, it doesn't legally count.”
He carried the cake toward the door, then paused. He looked back at the empty glass cover. For a moment, guilt flickered across his face.
“…I'll put something back.”
He had absolutely no idea what. That was a problem for Morning Rev. Midnight Rev had other priorities. He tucked the cake carefully under one arm, grabbed the other snacks he'd originally found, and went back toward his room. A quiet grin spread across his face.
Somewhere in the headquarters, Danger Duck was peacefully asleep, completely unaware that his precious cake had just been stolen by Rev. For revenge. Over cookies. Pretty childish but honestly, Rev considered it a fair trade. Maybe even a little overdue.
Meanwhile, somewhere down the hall, Tech was not quite as peacefully asleep as Rev had assumed. At some point during the night, Tech had gotten out of bed. Not fully awake, though. Still caught somewhere between sleep and whatever half-formed thoughts were occupying his mind, he'd wandered out of his room.
His eyes remained half-lidded, his movements slow and automatic as he made his way through the quiet halls. He passed his own lab without stopping. Somewhere in his sleeping mind, perhaps he was looking for something. A tool. A machine. An invention that existed only in whatever strange dream he was having.
Instead, he somehow ended up at Rev's room. The door was unlocked and without thinking much, Tech stepped inside. He looked around for a moment without really seeing anything. Then, apparently deciding that the bed looked comfortable enough, he climbed in. He pulled the blanket over himself and promptly fell back asleep.
By the time Rev returned, Tech had already settled comfortably beneath the blankets. A few minutes later, Rev reached his room. The halls were silent again. Rev yawned.
“Okay…”
He opened his door. The room was dark.
He stepped inside, blinking as his eyes adjusted. Something felt different.
Rev paused, he looked toward his bed.
"What the..?” Someone was lying in it. Rev's eyes widened. He nearly dropped his food.
“Tech?” Tech didn't move. He was completely asleep, curled comfortably beneath Rev's blankets as if he'd been there all night. Rev stared. He looked at Tech. Then at his own bed. Then back at Tech.
“…How did you even—”
Tech shifted slightly. Rev immediately froze. But Tech only mumbled something incomprehensible and settled back down. Rev slowly lowered the food onto the nearby table. There was no way he was waking Tech up now. Not when Tech looked this peacefully asleep. Rev rubbed his face.
“Okay.. Sure. I don't really mind you sleeping in my bed..”
He decided to deal with that particular mystery in the morning. For now, he sat down on the edge of his bed. Probably nothing else weird was going to happen. He took a bite of his food.
A few minutes passed. Then Tech suddenly murmured,
“That's not where that goes.”
Rev stopped chewing. His eyebrows slowly rose. He turned toward Tech.
“..What?”
Tech remained completely motionless. His breathing was slow and steady. Rev waited. Maybe he'd imagined it. Maybe inside of his stupid brain he wished to hear Tech keep talking. He took another bite. Tech frowned in his sleep.
“Move the third gear..”
Rev nearly choked. He swallowed quickly.
“Uhh.. Tech?”
No response. Tech's face relaxed again. Rev stared at him. Then, very quietly, he whispered,
“Are you sleep talking?”
Rev continued staring at him. Tech didn't answer. Rev slowly leaned forward, squinting at him.
“Tech?” Rev waved a hand in front of Tech's face. No reaction. He waved it again. Still nothing.
“Oh my gosh.” Rev's mouth slowly fell open. He slapped both hands over his mouth to keep himself from laughing as he glanced toward the door, then back at Tech.
“You're actually asleep.” Rev carefully climbed out of his bed and crept across the room. Each step was exaggeratedly slow, his arms stretched out for balance as he tried not to make a sound. He reached Tech's bed and crouched beside it. For a moment, nothing happened. Rev waited and waited. His eyebrows slowly lowered.
“Come on.. Say something for me Tech..”
He poked Tech's blanket, expecting any sort of reactions from the sleeping beauty. He sat back on his heels with a disappointed sigh.
“You're boring when you're asleep.”
Tech's ears twitched.
Rev's eyes widened. He immediately leaned forward, bringing his face closer to Tech's, only to realize at the last second that he was about to bump his head against the edge of the bed.
He quickly stopped himself and pulled back.
“Wait—” Tech shifted beneath the blankets.
“Rev.”
Rev froze, his eyes became enormous. He slowly pointed at himself.
“Me?”
Tech's head rolled slightly to the side.
“Too fast.”
Rev stared at him, then he slowly crawled closer. Very deliberately, he lowered himself onto his hands and knees and crawled a little closer to the edge of the bed.
“What do you mean, too fast?”
Tech's fingers twitched against the blanket.
“You're going to crash. Rev.. Seriously slow down!! We're going to die!”
Rev's jaw dropped, he immediately pushed himself backward, shifting his weight onto his heels.
“Are you seriously dreaming about me driving?”
Tech frowned in his sleep. “I am not giving you the permit to drive my car ever again.”
Rev slapped a hand over his mouth, his shoulders began shaking as he fought to keep his laughter quiet.
“Oh, this is fantastic.”
He hurriedly reached beside himself, grabbed his pillow, and pulled it against his chest. He buried the lower half of his face into it, muffling the quiet snickers escaping him.
Tech shifted again.
“Stop laughing, you almost got us killed. I'd still live but not you..”
Rev's laughter immediately stopped.
He slowly lowered the pillow.
“...Did you just tell me to stop laughing?”
Tech's breathing remained perfectly calm.
Rev glanced around the room as if expecting someone else to explain what was happening, then he looked back at Tech.
“You're arguing with me while you're unconscious.”
He shook his head, grinning.
“That's honestly impressive. I never thought anyone who sleep-talks actually responds right away.”
Tech’s lips moved with a barely audible reply, the words lost somewhere between a sleepy mumble and a half-formed complaint.
Rev leaned forward.
“What?”
Tech gave another faint, unintelligible response, barely loud enough to hear.
Rev shifted closer, bracing one hand against the mattress.
“What did you say?”
He leaned in even farther, tilting his head as he tried to catch the words.
Still nothing.
Rev pulled back with a frustrated groan.
“Speak up!”
Tech suddenly moved.
His shoulder jerked beneath the blanket as he rolled slightly toward the edge of the bed.
Rev startled so badly that he threw both hands behind himself.
His knees slid forward, his balance gave out, and he dropped backward onto the floor.
“WHOA!”
He caught himself with both palms against the floor, his legs bent in front of him.
For a second, Rev just sat there, wide-eyed.
Tech continued rolling until he was lying comfortably on his side, completely unaware of the commotion.
Rev stared at him.
His heart was pounding.
He stayed perfectly still, waiting to see if Tech would move again.
Tech's breathing settled into its previous rhythm.
Rev slowly released the breath he'd been holding.
“Okay…”
He carefully pushed himself up from the floor, planting one hand against the mattress for balance.
“You almost gave me a heart attack.” He lowered himself back onto his hands and knees and crawled toward the bed again.
Tech's brow furrowed.
“Your calculations are wrong.”
Rev stopped crawling.
His mouth dropped open.
“Excuse me?”
“Three point two.”
Rev pushed himself upright until he was sitting on his heels.
“You're correcting my math?”
Tech gave a tiny nod in his sleep.
Rev pointed at him indignantly.
“You don't even know what I was calculating!”
Tech's face relaxed.
“Exactly.”
Rev blinked, he stared at Tech for several seconds. Then he slowly buried his face in his pillow. A muffled laugh escaped him.
“This is too good.” He lifted his head again, eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Okay.. What else have you got?”
Tech shifted underneath the blanket.
“Don't touch that.”
Rev immediately looked around.
“Touch what?”
Tech's hand slowly lifted from the blanket. His arm rose halfway into the air, his index finger extending toward the other side of the room. Rev followed the direction of his finger. There was absolutely nothing there. He looked at the empty space.
“There's nothing there!”
Tech lowered his hand.
“Exactly.”
Rev's mouth opened. Then closed. He rubbed his forehead.
“I don't understand you even when you're unconscious.”
Tech went quiet. Rev's laughter eventually faded. He shifted his position, lowering himself onto the floor beside the bed. He sat with his back against the side of the mattress, stretched his legs out in front of him, then bent his knees and loosely wrapped his arms around them. For a few moments, he simply watched Tech sleep. His grin gradually softened.
“You know…”
He rested his arms across his knees.
“You're actually kind of funny like this. I mean.. I've always find you funny.”
Tech shifted.
“Rev.”
Rev's head snapped up.
“Yeah?”
“Stay there.”
Rev blinked.
He looked down at where he was sitting, then back at Tech.
“Here?”
Tech nodded faintly in his sleep.
Rev's expression softened.
He leaned his head against the side of the mattress.
“Okay.”
He adjusted himself against the mattress, pulling his knees closer to his chest.
“I'll stay.”
For several seconds, everything was quiet. Rev's eyelids gradually became heavier. His head slowly tipped sideways until his temple rested against the edge of the mattress. Finally, maybe he could get some sleep—
“It's cold.. You're warm.”
Rev's eyes shot open. He slowly lifted his head. His face went bright with surprise. Then a huge grin spread across his face.
"Am I?" He glanced at Tech as he smiled to himself.
“You really are saying whatever you want tonight, aren't you?”
Then Tech shifted.
The blanket rustled softly.
Rev glanced up.
“Hmm?”
Tech slowly rolled toward the edge of the bed. One arm slipped free from beneath the blanket and dangled over the side. Rev watched it for a moment.
“Tech?”
No response.
Rev reached out and gently tapped Tech's hand.
“Hey.”
Tech's fingers moved.
Then, without warning, his hand closed loosely around Rev's wrist.
Rev froze.
“...Oh—”
Tech pulled.
Not hard. Just enough to make Rev lose his balance.
“Whoa—!”
Rev caught himself against the mattress, but Tech continued tugging until Rev was close enough for Tech to wrap an arm around him.
Rev went completely still.
Tech had somehow managed to pull him halfway onto the bed.
“Tech?”
Nothing.
Tech's eyes remained closed.
His arm stayed around Rev, holding him loosely against his chest as though this was the most natural thing in the world.
Rev stared at the arm around him.
“...You know, most people ask before doing this.”
Tech only breathed quietly as he snuggled closer into his neck. Rev's face slowly warmed. He could have moved. He probably should have moved. Instead, he carefully adjusted himself so he wasn't putting too much weight on Tech. His shoulders relaxed when Tech didn't seem bothered.
“You're really weird tonight.”
Tech's brow furrowed.
“Don't go.”
Rev's expression changed.
The playful smile disappeared.
“What?”
Tech's grip tightened slightly.
“Stay.”
Rev swallowed.
“I'm right here.”
Tech's breathing remained slow.
For a few seconds, he said nothing.
Then his hand shifted against Rev's back.
His fingers curled gently into the fabric of Rev's shirt.
Rev glanced down.
“Tech...?”
Tech suddenly tugged him closer.
Rev barely had time to react before Tech turned his head and buried his face against the side of Rev's neck.
Rev froze.
Every thought in his head seemed to disappear.
“...Oh.”
Tech settled there as though he'd finally found the most comfortable position imaginable.
His forehead rested against Rev's shoulder, his face tucked into the warmth of Rev's neck. One arm remained wrapped securely around his middle while his other hand rested loosely against his back.
Rev didn't move. He didn't even seem to remember how. He's too embarrassed to do so.
“Tech?”
A quiet hum answered him.
Rev's face grew warmer.
“You're... cuddling with me.”
Tech's only response was to shift slightly closer.
Rev's shoulders slowly relaxed.
“O- okay..”
He whispered the word, almost afraid that speaking any louder would wake him.
“Okay...”
Tech's breathing brushed softly against his neck.
Rev stared toward the ceiling.
“This is definitely going to be weird for you to explain this in the morning.”
Tech mumbled something.
Rev tilted his head.
“What?”
Tech's voice was muffled against his shoulder.
“Warm.”
Rev blinked.
“I'm warm?”
Tech nodded faintly.
Then, after a pause:
“Smells nice.”
Rev's eyes widened.
“...What?”
Tech didn't answer.
He simply nuzzled a little closer against Rev's neck, apparently completely content. Rev's entire face was burning now. He feels like he could explode anytime now.
“You.. you can't just say things like that while you're asleep.”
Tech's fingers tightened slightly against his shirt.
“I like you.”
Rev stopped.
The room seemed impossibly quiet.
He stared at the wall.
Then slowly looked down at Tech.
“...What?”
Tech didn't react.
Rev's heart began beating faster.
“Tech?”
Nothing.
Rev waited.
Maybe he'd heard wrong.
Maybe Tech had said something else.
He carefully lowered his voice.
“Did you just say you like me?”
Tech's head shifted slightly against his neck.
“Mmh.”
Rev's eyes widened.
“You did? Actually?”
Tech nodded faintly.
Rev stared at him.
A dozen jokes came to mind but none of them came out. Instead, his voice became much quieter.
“Like me how?”
Tech's expression softened.
“Like... you.”
Rev blinked.
“That doesn't answer anything.”
Tech's arm shifted around him, pulling him a little closer.
“You're so loud.”
Rev's eyebrows lifted.
“Hey.”
“Always moving around..”
“Okay...”
“Always causing trouble and headache for me..”
Rev narrowed his eyes.
“I don't like where this is going.”
Tech's lips curved into the faintest sleepy smile.
“But...”
Rev went quiet.
“But?”
Tech's voice was barely audible.
“I like it when you're there.”
Rev's expression softened.
Tech continued, words coming slowly, as though he had to search for each one.
“When the room is quiet...”
He paused.
“I always look for you.”
Rev didn't say anything.
“When I'm alone and you're gone...”
Tech's fingers curled slightly into the fabric of Rev's shirt.
“It's too quiet.. I don't like it.”
Rev's eyes stung unexpectedly.
“I’m glad when you’re around. Even when you won’t stop rambling.” Tech’s voice remained soft and sleepy. “Sometimes, I wish I could just shut you up with a kiss instead of grabbing your beak. It doesn't make sense.. But I really wanted to.”
Rev's smile immediately grew.
He turned his face away, pretending to be interested in anything else in the room. His fingers fidgeted absently with the edge of the blanket.
“You're going to forget all of this tomorrow, aren't you?”
Tech gave no response.
Rev glanced back at him.
“You'll wake up and have absolutely no idea what you said.”
Tech's eyes remained closed.
A faint hum escaped him.
“..I know.”
Rev's eyes widened.
For one terrifying second, he wondered if Tech had actually been awake this whole time. His stomach dropped at the thought that Tech had just confessed those things while fully conscious.
“You know?!”
Tech gave a faint nod.
“I’m asleep.”
Rev's mouth fell open. He stared at Tech, trying to make sense of the answer.
“That doesn't make any sense.”
Tech's expression remained completely peaceful, his eyes still closed as though he'd said nothing unusual at all. “Dreaming.. Another dream..”
Rev let out a quiet laugh.
“Right.. Of course.”
He rested a hand gently against Tech's back, feeling the slow rise and fall beneath his palm.
“So this is all just a dream?”
Tech's arm tightened around him.
“Mhm.." His ears dropped lower, "I wish it were real.." Rev's smile faltered. Tech's voice was barely above a whisper.
"So I could hold you down in bed like this and kiss you till I'm too tired to keep going.. I wished I'd keep dreaming like this and not have to wake up in my bed alone.”
Rev went still again.
“It's what I've always thought about…” Tech's voice was soft.
Rev's smile slowly returned.
“You really are dangerous when you're asleep.”
Tech mumbled something else.
Rev tilted his head.
“What?”
“Don't tell anyone..”
Rev smiled.
“Not even your conscious self?”
"Mhm.." Tech relaxed again.
Tech relaxed against him again. His face remained tucked into the crook of Rev’s neck, warm breath brushing faintly against his fur with each slow exhale. Rev hesitated before carefully wrapping an arm around him. His hand settled between Tech’s shoulder blades, fingers resting lightly against the fabric of his shirt.
“There.”
His palm shifted in a small, reassuring stroke along Tech’s back before coming to rest again. Tech answered with a tiny, sleepy hum, his shoulders loosening as he sank more comfortably into Rev’s hold.
“You're lucky you're cute when you're asleep.”
Tech gave no response. Rev glanced down at him. His fingers curled gently into the fabric at Tech’s back, holding him a little closer without disturbing his sleep.
"You're so beautiful to me," Tech murmured. "Always."
Rev’s fingers stopped against Tech’s back.
For a moment, he forgot to breathe.
Heat crept across his cheeks, and he quickly turned his face away, hoping the darkness would hide it.
“...You can't just say things like that.”
Tech only hummed in response.
Still asleep.
Rev glanced down again.
Of course he was.
That somehow made it worse.
A helpless smile pulled at Rev’s beak as he shook his head. His hand resumed its slow movement, fingertips tracing a few gentle passes over Tech’s back.
“Seriously,” he whispered. “You say the sweetest things when you don't even know you're saying them.”
Tech shifted closer, his forehead brushing against Rev’s neck.
Rev’s blush deepened.
He carefully adjusted the blanket around Tech, tucking the edge over his shoulder before letting his hand settle there.
“...Beautiful, huh?”
A quiet laugh escaped him.
“I'm going to remember that one.”
“...Please don’t tell anyone I said that either, especially Rev.”
Silence.
Rev pressed his lips together, but a quiet laugh still escaped him.
After a while, his eyelids began to grow heavy again.
“...You know,” he whispered, “you could’ve just told me.”
Tech gave no response.
Rev smiled faintly.
“Maybe not at three in the morning while you’re unconscious.”
He reached up and pulled the blanket a little higher, tucking it around both of them.
“But…”
He paused, his fingers resting against the edge of the blanket.
“I’m glad you told me.”
Tech shifted closer, his face nestling comfortably against Rev’s neck.
Rev closed his eyes again, one hand resting loosely against Tech’s back.
For a few quiet seconds, there was nothing but Tech’s steady breathing.
Then Tech’s nose wrinkled.
“You smell just like Rev… Why do you smell like him…?” he mumbled.
Rev’s eyes opened.
He stared into the darkness.
“...Tech.”
Tech hummed sleepily.
Rev had to bite back another laugh as he shifted around to face Tech’s sleeping face.
“Well, of course.” He smiled. “I’m Rev.” Just to make his point, Rev leaned over and planted a quick kiss on Tech’s forehead.
“No.. Please don’t kiss me.” Tech instinctively pulled away, his brows furrowing in his sleep.
Rev blinked.
“I'm already in love with another Roadrunner…”
“What?!” Rev froze, completely blindsided by the sudden confession. For a moment, he could only stare at Tech, as if his sleepy words had caught him entirely off guard.
“I said I’m already in love with Rev. Just because you smell and look as beautiful as him doesn’t mean I’d want your kiss…”
Rev's beak slowly fell open. Right.. He should've know that after all that unconscious confession.
“Well, I am Re—”
“Zip it, Roadrunner.” Tech pulled the blanket higher and turned away from him.
“Now I’m gonna need some sleep if you'd excuse me and do me a favour, be quiet for me.”
“Tech, you're already are asleep, but I am Re—”
A sleepy hand reached out and gently covered Rev’s beak. “Goodnight!”
Rev stared at him.
Tech was already snoring.
Slowly, Rev’s eyes widened.
Then a grin spread across his face.
“...You absolute idiot.”
He carefully lowered Tech’s hand from his beak, trying not to laugh loud enough to wake him.
“I’m literally right here.”
Oh well.. This is going to be an interesting morning when they wake each other up. He can't wait to see the coyote's reaction when he tells him about his confession.
Morning came far too soon. Pale sunlight slipped through the curtains, stretching across the room and over the tangled blankets. Tech stirred first. His brow furrowed as he shifted beneath the covers, one hand searching blindly for the edge of the blanket. Instead, his fingers brushed against something warm.
He paused. His hand moved again.
Warm fur.
Tech’s eyes opened. He stared at the arm wrapped loosely around his waist, then slowly followed it upward. A familiar face was resting beside him, still fast asleep.
Tech blinked. Once. Twice.
His ears lifted. For three whole minutes, he mentally debated whether he should wake Rev or simply go back to sleep and pretend none of this had happened.
“...Rev?”
Rev stirred at the sound of his name.
“Mmm…”
Tech immediately pushed himself upright.
The blanket slid down around his waist as he looked around the room.
This wasn't his bedroom.
Tech stared at Rev, glanced down at the arm around him, then looked back at Rev as if hoping the situation would somehow make more sense.
“What..”
Rev’s eyes cracked open.
“Morning..”
Tech stared at him.
“Why am I in your room?”
Rev yawned and stretched, completely unconcerned.
“You tell me.”
Tech frowned.
“I don't remember coming here.”
“You were sleepwalking.”
Tech's ears twitched.
“I was what?”
“Sleepwalking.”
Rev sat up, rubbing one eye.
“You walked right in, climbed into my bed, and refused to leave.”
Tech's expression slowly became horrified.
“I did not.”
“You did.”
“I would remember that.”
“Yeah, right. I found you asleep in your room and decided to carry you all the way back here so we could have a little midnight sleepover.”
Tech opened his mouth and closed it. His gaze dropped to the blanket. A terrible feeling began creeping into his stomach.
“...Did I say anything?”
Rev's grin appeared almost immediately.
“Oh, buddy... Tech, oh buddy... Did you say anything at all? Yes. You were also sleep-talking.”
Tech looked up at Rev's teasing tone, convinced he had actually said something he wasn't supposed to spill.
“Rev... What did I actually say?”
Rev leaned back against the headboard, clearly enjoying himself.
“Are you sure you want to know?”
Tech narrowed his eyes.
“Rev.”
“Okay, okay.”
Rev held up his hands.
“You talked.”
“How much?”
“Oh… y’know.” Rev’s grin widened. “Long enough to keep me entertained until four in the morning.”
Tech stared at him, his ears shooting upright. He shifted uncomfortably beneath the blanket, suddenly very interested in straightening a corner that didn’t need fixing.
“That long?”
“Mhm. I was still awake at three in the morning and couldn't get any sleep, so I looted some snacks, headed back to my room, and then found you sleeping so peacefully in my bed.” Rev settled more comfortably against the headboard, looking far too pleased with himself. “And apparently, you have some very strong opinions about me.”
Tech went completely still, his ears slowly folding back.
“...What kind of opinions?”
Rev only smiled.
Tech’s expression tightened as he swallowed, his fingers picking nervously at the edge of the blanket. He suddenly looked like he was regretting asking.
“Rev.”
“What?”
Tech opened his mouth, then hesitated.
“What did I say?”
Rev tilted his head, pretending to think.
“Oh, nothing too embarrassing.”
Tech's eyes narrowed further. His gaze darted toward the door. Then the window. Anywhere except Rev. A faint warmth crept across his cheeks.
“That means it was embarrassing.”
“Maybe.”
“Rev,” Tech whined.
“You sure you really want me to tell you? I mean, you said it yourself. You wanted to keep it a secret between the sleep-talking Tech and me.”
Tech hesitated. His ears lowered.
“...I’m starting to think I made a terrible mistake coming here.”
Rev’s grin widened.
“Oh, you definitely did.”
Tech pulled the blanket slightly higher, hiding the lower half of his face behind it.
“Please stop smiling.”
“I can’t do that after what you've said to me this morning.”
“Rev.”
“You should've heard yourself.”
Tech groaned and buried his face in the blanket.
“I knew I shouldn't have asked.”
Rev's grin turned mischievous.
“You told me you liked having me around.”
Tech blinked. His face immediately warmed. His fingers tightened around the blanket.
“I said that?”
“Mhm.”
Tech looked away.
“I was asleep.”
“I noticed.”
“That doesn't count.”
“It definitely counts.”
Tech pulled the blanket higher, nearly hiding his face behind it.
Rev laughed.
“And then you told me not to leave.”
Tech went completely rigid.
His ears flattened against his head.
“...I said that too?”
Rev nodded.
“Very clearly.”
Tech slowly sank farther beneath the blanket.
“I'm never sleepwalking again.”
“Probably a good idea.”
From underneath the blanket came a muffled groan.
“Please forget everything.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Rev...”
“That one was way too cute to forget. Also, we were just getting started. You've mentioned a bunch of stuff, actually.”
Tech cautiously lowered the blanket.
“Like what?”
“You complained about my driving skills. You told me I was going to crash, and you also told me, and I quote, ‘I am never giving you the permit to drive my car again.’”
Tech covered his face with both hands. He wished he could get buried alive into the earth's core and burned forever inside.
“Oh, no…”
Rev laughed.
“And then you started arguing about some calculation.”
Tech peeked through his fingers.
“What calculation?”
“No idea. You just kept saying, ‘Three point two.’”
Tech lowered his hands.
“That sounds reasonable.”
“You sounded very serious about it.”
Rev paused.
“And then…”
Tech immediately became suspicious.
“And then what?”
Rev’s smile turned unbearably smug. He leaned back, clearly savoring the moment.
“You complained that you were cold.”
Tech's expression softened with confusion.
“So?”
“You said that I’m warm.”
Tech’s ears slowly drooped as he looked down at his hands. Rev leaned closer, grinning as he watched the color begin creeping into Tech's cheeks.
“And you didn't stop there.”
Tech glanced up.
“What else did I say?”
“You moved closer.”
Tech's shoulders stiffened.
“Closer?”
“Very close.”
Rev gestured vaguely between them.
“You tucked yourself against me and refused to move.”
Tech swallowed.
“I was asleep.”
“I know.”
Rev laughed softly.
“And that still isn't the worst part.”
Tech immediately looked at him.
“There’s more?”
“Oh, plenty.”
Tech's ears sank completely.
“Rev…”
Rev’s grin returned.
“You really should've heard yourself.”
Tech went silent, his cheeks flushing again.
“I…”
Rev laughed under his breath.
“Still want me to forget?”
Tech immediately pulled the blanket over his head.
“Absolutely. Please…”
Rev’s grin softened into something more knowing.
“You kept talking about me.”
Tech blinked beneath the blanket.
“About you?”
“Mhm.”
Rev shifted against the headboard, watching Tech’s face carefully with his stupid grin.
“Remember when you said you liked having me around? You said the headquarters felt too quiet whenever I was gone.”
Tech’s fingers tightened around the blanket.
“That sounds…”
“Embarrassing?”
“...A little.”
Rev chuckled.
“You also said you liked listening to me ramble. You sounded pretty sincere about it.”
Tech stared at him and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Well…”
“And then you got quieter.”
Tech’s expression changed.
“How quiet?”
“Quiet enough that I almost missed it.”
Rev leaned forward slightly.
“You said the room felt wrong whenever I wasn't there.”
Tech stopped breathing for a second.
His ears lifted, then slowly folded back.
“I…”
“You said you were always happier when I was around.”
Tech’s gaze dropped to the sheets.
His fingers began worrying at a loose thread.
“That still doesn't mean…”
Rev smiled.
“You then said you wished you could keep me beside you in bed and kiss me... How much you wished you'd never wake up only to find yourself sleeping alone in your bed.”
Tech's shoulders drew inward. His face immediately burned, ears folding back as he looked away, suddenly finding the sheets far more interesting than Rev’s face. His fingers fidgeted nervously with the edge of the blanket.
“I... uhm...”
“And after that...”
Rev deliberately let the silence stretch.
Tech finally looked up.
“What?”
Rev’s grin returned.
“You said you were in love with me.”
Tech went utterly still.
The thread between his fingers snapped.
“...I said what?”
Rev pointed at him.
“Exactly that.”
Tech’s ears shot up before flattening again. His cheeks burned hotter as he stared at Rev in disbelief.
“T-That can't possibly be what I said.”
“Oh, it was.”
“I was unconscious.”
“You were very convincing.”
For a moment, Tech said nothing. He stayed like that, shoulders tense, as if he were trying to process everything Rev had just told him. His fingers slowly curled against his cheeks. Eventually, he lowered his hands just enough to peek at Rev through them.
“What else did I say?”
Rev laughed.
“You asked me not to tell anyone, especially Rev.”
Tech groaned into his palms.
“Of course I did.”
“And then you started talking about how you wished you could tell me while you were awake.”
Tech slowly lowered his hands. For once, Rev wasn't laughing.
“You really said it, Tech.”
Tech stared at him, completely mortified.
Then his expression changed.
“Wait.”
He frowned.
“You said I talked to you about this while I was asleep?”
“Yep.”
“And you were the one listening?”
“Yep.”
Tech’s ears lifted.
“Then why…”
He paused.
A strange memory surfaced.
His eyes narrowed.
“...Why do I remember you looking like someone else?”
Rev blinked.
“What?”
Tech pointed at him.
“I remember someone who looked and smelled like you.”
Rev stared.
“...Someone?”
“Mhm.”
Tech’s brow furrowed as he tried to piece the fragments together.
“You were beside me, and I asked why you smelled like Rev.”
Rev’s beak slowly parted.
“Oh, no.”
Tech continued, oblivious.
“And then you said you were Rev.”
Rev already looked like he was about to lose it.
“What happened next?”
Tech hesitated.
“I…”
His ears drooped.
“I think I told you that you weren't.”
Rev covered his mouth, shoulders shaking.
Tech looked increasingly suspicious.
“Why are you laughing?”
“You have no idea, do you?”
“Know what?”
Rev finally gave up trying to hold it in.
“You looked directly at me, told me I wasn't Rev, and then explained that you were already in love with Rev.”
Tech stared.
Silence.
“...I did not.”
“You absolutely did.”
“But you were Rev.”
“Yes!”
Tech’s eyes widened.
“So I was…”
“Confessing your feelings to me while simultaneously rejecting me because you thought I was some other Roadrunner.”
Tech slowly pulled the blanket up to his nose.
Rev was barely containing his laughter now.
“I kissed your forehead.”
Tech’s ears shot straight up.
“You what?”
“Just a little kiss.”
Tech stared at him in horror.
“And I said…?”
Rev cleared his throat dramatically.
“You said, ‘No. Please don't kiss me. I'm already in love with Rev.’”
Tech buried his face in the blanket.
Rev continued.
“You told me that just because I smelled like Rev and looked beautiful like Rev didn't mean you wanted me kissing you.”
A muffled groan came from underneath the blanket.
“I hate everything.”
“You're not done.”
Tech peeked out.
“There’s more?”
“You told me to zip it.”
Tech’s eyes squeezed shut.
“Of course I did.”
“You even called me Roadrunner.”
“Please stop.”
“And when I tried to explain that I actually was Rev…”
Rev grinned.
“You covered my beak and told me goodnight.”
Tech slowly lowered the blanket.
“I did all of that?”
“Every bit.”
Tech stared at him in complete defeat.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Tech quietly dragged the blanket over his entire face.
“You're absolutely terrible at recognizing me.”
Tech stared.
“I'm aware.”
“No, I don't think you are.”
Rev’s grin widened.
“You spent half the night telling me how much you loved me, then spent the next five minutes insisting I wasn't me.”
Tech slowly pulled the blanket back over his head.
Rev watched him for a moment, clearly enjoying how flustered he'd become.
“You know...” Rev shifted a little closer, his grin returning. “You don't have to keep wishing about it.”
Tech's eyes immediately flicked toward him.
“What?”
Rev shrugged, trying to sound casual.
“You said you wanted to kiss me.”
Tech's ears shot upright.
“I was unconscious.”
“I know.” Rev shrugged. “Also, based on the internet, sleep talking can sometimes pull from things that are already on your mind. Dreams can mix together memories, feelings, and people you’ve been thinking about.”
Tech stared at him.
“That doesn't mean anything.”
“Maybe not.”
Rev’s grin returned.
“But you were pretty specific.”
Tech's face warmed.
“I was asleep.”
“Exactly.”
Rev leaned back against the headboard, looking far too pleased with himself.
“So I'm just saying... maybe your sleeping brain wasn't making things up.”
Tech opened his mouth, then closed it again. “That's not how that works.”
“Sure.”
“Rev.”
“What?”
“Stop looking so smug.”
“I just can't help it.” Rev leaned slightly closer, watching Tech's expression carefully.
“But you're awake now.”
Tech stared at him, his face growing even warmer.
“Are you... suggesting that I kiss you?”
Rev's grin widened.
“I'm suggesting you could.”
Tech opened his mouth, then quickly closed it again.
His gaze dropped to the blanket as his fingers tightened around the edge.
“Rev...”
“What?”
“You're making this very difficult.”
Rev chuckled.
“I'm not the one who said all that stuff while I was asleep.”
Tech remained quiet.
His fingers loosened around the blanket as he stared at Rev. For once, there was no quick excuse, no attempt to hide beneath the covers, and no argument about being asleep.
Rev's grin slowly faded.
“Tech?”
Tech took a small breath.
“You really want me to do it?”
Rev blinked.
His usual teasing expression softened.
“Only if you want to.”
Tech looked down.
His ears lowered as he gathered himself, his fingers nervously smoothing the blanket between them.
“I do.”
Rev's eyes widened slightly.
“You do?”
Tech nodded.
“I've been trying to convince myself that everything I said was meaningless because I was asleep.”
He finally looked back at Rev.
“But I don't think it was.”
Rev didn't say anything.
Tech's voice grew quieter.
“I meant it.”
The room fell silent.
“I like having you around. I like hearing you talk, even when you don't stop. I don't like the headquarters when you're gone.” His cheeks warmed again. “And... I love you, Rev.”
Rev stared at him. For once, he had absolutely nothing clever to say.
Tech shifted closer. “I suppose that means you were right.”
Rev finally managed a small smile.
“About what?”
Tech's ears flicked nervously. “About me wanting to kiss you.” Before he could lose his nerve, Tech leaned forward and gave Rev a brief kiss. He immediately pulled back. His face was bright red, and his ears had practically disappeared against his head.
“...There.”
Rev remained frozen for a second.
“Wow.” Then his grin slowly returned.
Tech looked away.
“Don't.”
“I didn't even say anything.”
“You were about to.”
“Okay, okay.” Rev laughed softly.
A quiet moment passed.
Then Rev's grin returned.
“Although, for someone who spent all night confessing to me in his sleep, you sure took your time doing it while awake.”
Tech groaned and immediately pulled the blanket over his face.
“I'm going back to sleep.”
Rev laughed.
“Too late. I already heard everything.”
From beneath the blanket came a muffled reply.
“I regret everything.”
“No, you don't.”
A pause.
“...No.”
Rev smiled.
“That's what I thought.”
Tech remained quiet for a moment, his face still warm from finally saying it aloud.
Rev watched him, the teasing smile on his face gradually softening into something gentler.
Neither of them spoke.
Tech's fingers loosened around the blanket.
Then he shifted closer again.
Rev barely had time to react before Tech leaned in and kissed him once more.
This time, he didn't immediately pull away.
Rev's eyes widened for a brief moment before he relaxed, letting the moment settle naturally between them. His hand rested lightly against the blanket near Tech's side, careful not to startle him.
When they finally pulled apart, Tech remained close, his forehead almost resting against Rev's.
For once, he didn't look away.
He didn't hide behind the blanket. He didn't try to laugh it off or blame it on sleepwalking.
He simply stayed there.
“I meant it,” Tech said quietly.
Rev's expression softened.
“Yeah?”
Tech nodded.
“All of it.”
His fingers gently curled around the edge of Rev's sleeve.
“I really do love you.”
Rev's smile returned, but this time there was no teasing behind it.
“I know. I love you too.”
Tech let out a small, breathless laugh.
“You're not going to tease me?”
“Oh, I absolutely am.”
Tech groaned.
“Of course.”
“But not right now.”
Tech looked back at him.
Rev leaned closer, resting his forehead against Tech's.
“Right now, I'm just happy you're finally saying it while you're awake.”
Tech's ears lifted slightly.
A small smile appeared on his face.
“...Me too.”
For the first time that morning, Tech didn't feel embarrassed by the words. He had spent the entire night trying to hide feelings he had never been brave enough to say aloud. Now, sitting beside Rev in the quiet morning light, there was nothing left to hide and somehow, that felt easier than he ever expected. Tech gently rested his head against Rev's shoulder. Rev stayed beside him. Neither of them said anything else. They didn't need to. For a few peaceful seconds, the room remained quiet.
Then—
“MY CAKE!” The scream echoed through the headquarters. Tech jolted upright. Rev nearly fell off the bed.
“WHAT?!” Another shout followed from somewhere down the hallway.
“WHO STOLE MY CAKE?!”
Tech blinked. Rev froze. Slowly, very slowly, his eyes shifted toward the door. A terrible realization crossed his face.
“...Oh.”
“What?” Tech looked at him.
“Nothing.” Rev's eyes lowered, guilty as charged.
From outside came another furious scream.
“DESPICABLE!! IT WAS RIGHT THERE LAST NIGHT!”
Tech stared at Rev, the main suspect.
“Rev.”
Rev gave him an innocent smile.
“Yes?”
“You didn't..”
“I might have.”
“Rev.”
“I was hungry!”
“You stole Danger Duck's cake?”
Rev shrugged.
“Technically, I borrowed it.”
“You ate it.”
“That's a very negative way of saying it. Also, he stole my cookies from my secret stash so I guess we are even now.”
Another distant scream echoed through the hallway.
“WHOEVER DID THIS IS DEAD!”
Tech stared at him. Rev slowly pulled the blanket higher, as though it might somehow hide him from the consequences.
“...I think we should stay here for a while.”
Tech sighed.
“Probably.”
They sat in silence for a moment with Rev still grinning.
“Still worth it.”
Tech couldn't help but laugh. From somewhere outside, Danger Duck's furious shouting continued to echo through the headquarters and just like that, the peaceful morning was over.