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Tommy didn’t originally plan on heading to Techno’s and scream until he was out of words but he somehow ended up doing that.
In his defense he was just so tired and completely done these days. Dying made him more impulsive and more done with everyone's bullshit.
Plus he wanted to air out his grievances with people before Dream got out of prison and murdered him again. Or before he had enough and finished what he started in exile.
Either way Tommy knew it was only a matter of time before he died again. Maybe even for the last time. And Tommy was completely okay with that.
But he had shit he needed to do first and that includes picking people one by one who caused him great suffering and annoyance and hashing it all out with them.
And apparently his target to be annoyed at today was Techno. Or more specially his victim complex.
Tommy stormed into Techno’s with a completely stone face as his hands shook in rage. He didn’t bother knocking and just threw the door open.
Techno froze in front of the fireplace as he put a hand on his axe. “Tommy what are you-,”
“I’m going to talk and you’re going to fucking listen,” Tommy said sharply interrupting Techno as he stood in front him. “You’re going to sit there and be fucking quiet until I’m finsihed.”
Techno snorted. “Yeah that’s not going to happe-,”
Tommy had Techno on the couch with a dagger to his throat in seconds. “That wasn’t a request blade,” he hummed. “We’re doing this now.”
Techno stared wide eyed at the child soldier who was pinning him to his own couch. All he could do was stay silent and sit down quietly because Tommy had a look in his eye that said he wasn’t afraid to draw some blood.
He had the look of a soldier. A look that said “try me and find out.” Tommy looked dangerous and threatening.
Techno wouldn’t be afraid to admit that it scared him slightly. Tommy was a goddamn good soldier and an incredible sniper shot with a crossbow. He was a threat when he wanted to.
And right now Techno was pinned to his couch by an angry seventeen year old holding him hostage in his own home. So obviously Techno did the smart thing and shut his mouth and listened.
“You are a pathetic fucking hypocrite,” Tommy began, still holding his knife to Techno’s throat. “You use others and dispose of them when you’re bored. You claim to hate the government yet you side with the people who actually hold government power. You cause destruction wherever you go and blame it on others because you can’t seem to understand your actions have consequences.”
“That’s bold coming for you,” Techno shot back weakly before he winced as Tommy lightly cut his throat, once again proving Tommy wasn’t playing around.
“I didn’t spend months being tortured, and abused in exile to hear you say that,” Tommy spat. “I’ve been beaten, manipulated, molded. I’ve been tortured and I’ve died- lost all my lives at the hands of a man who loves to use me as his puppet. Do not fucking tell me about consequences.”
Tommy was breathing a bit by the time he finished. Techno was just staring at him with wide red eyes. Tommy took a breath before counting.
“Also for the record I never betrayed you- nobody did actually. We were all up front about our goals and you just chose to ignore what everyone was saying,” Tommy pointed out sharply. “You have a victim complex bigger than Dream’s and that says a fucking lot. You whine and complain about being betrayed yet backstab anyone who tries to help you. Technoblade you are a goddamn hypocrite and an awful brother.”
Tommy was slightly shaking as he was starting to run out of words to say. He was losing the stamina to continue but he had to.
“At least Wilbur didn’t give me false hope,” Tommy spat. “You gave me a home, a refuge. You saw what Dream did to me firsthand and yet you joked about handing me over. For a man who claims that people only see him as a weapon it’s funny of you to consider handing me over like an object.”
Techno swallowed as his face showcased genuine guilt. “Tommy I wouldn’t have-“,
“Really?,” Tommy laughed loudly and hysterically, causing Techno to wince. “You would destroy my home to bedrock, kill my best friend, beat me senseless in a pit because it sounded fun, tell me I deserve to die, and yet this is the line you say you wouldn’t cross? Hmm?”
Techno was silent as the grave as he stared at Tommy frozen. Tommy just scoffed as he pulled his knife away and tucked it into its sheath at his hip.
“That’s what I fucking thought,” Tommy hissed as he pulled himself back. He took a few deep breaths before looking Techno straight in the eyes. “I only came here to say this because I’m going to die again soon. I’d prefer not to die carrying your sins on my back,” Tommy said firmly. “So take this however you fucking want.”
“What do you mean you’re going to die again soon,” Techno immediately asked, looking at the child soldier with furrowed eyebrows.
Tommy laughed a bit hysterically and mimed hitting himself in the head. “Dream bashed my head in when we were trapped in prison to feel like god,” Tommy explained in a syrupy sweet tone. “Then he brought me back to life after three days to fuel his god complex.”
Techno stared horrified. “We thought Ranboo was joking,” he tried to weakly explain.
Tommy threw his head back with the force of his laughs. “Nope,” he said, popping the p loudly. “Dream killed me three times and is hoping to get out of prison and do it again.” Tommy leaned forward and shot Techno an unhinged grin making Techno wince. “But guess what,” Tommy breathed. “He can’t kill me if I’m already dead.”
Tommy leaned back as Techno sat up fully and faced the teen head on. “What do you mean by that,” Techno demanded. “Tommy-,”
Tommy merely rolled his eyes and scoffed. “Dying is better than this shit hole,” he snorted. “Plus mom’s there and while the void is cold and awful I’d prefer it then here.”
Techno shut his eyes and sighed deeply before simply saying. “No.”
Tommy jerked his head back to look at Techno as he raised his eyebrows. “No,” he repeated, sounding incredulous. “What the fuck do you mean by no,” he demanded.
“You don’t know what the word no means?,” Techno deadpanned.
Tommy snarled quietly and at him. “I’m not in the mood for this,” he hissed as he turned around. “I did what I came to do. This was a fun talk but I’m gonna go.” Tommy started to walk to the door. “Bye blade! See you never.”
Techno moved swiftly and stood in front of Tommy with a dangerous expression. “You’re not leaving,” he said.
“Is that so?,” Tommy scoffed. He stood to his full height and stared at one of the best pvp players in the face. “Fucking make me then,” he hissed.
Techno was hit full force by the amount of guilt and horror he felt as he stared at Tommy.
The kid was pale as snow and covered in scars, and bandages and plasters. He had more scars than skin. His hair had a thick white streak in his hair and one of his eyes was a cloudy color while the other was grey. Tommy shook slightly in place as he stared Techno down. His thin limbs shook ever so lightly.
Techno suddenly realized that Tommy was genuinely only seventeen. He was basically still an infant compared to the vessel of the blood god.
Yet here the child soldier, and he really was only a fucking child, stood in front of him with no fear ready to fight him despite knowing he would probably loose.
Techno felt a bit sick knowing that Tommy wouldn’t mind losing. Thinking was annoying and chat was screaming in the background. Techno needed more time and needed the kid to stay. So he acted on impulse.
Techno shot forward and grabbed the kid into a headlock and pressed his pressure points. Tommy managed to bite his hand in protest before he collapsed into Techno’s arms unconscious.
Techno stared at the body of his traumatized brother in his arms in silence. Quietly he stood up before carrying the teenager to his bedroom. Once arriving he tucked him into his own bed before dropping his cloak over him.
Techno sat at his desk in the corner before running a hand down his face with a sigh. Tommy was 100% right and he had every reason to call Techno out. He has been an awful brother and an awful person to him.
He looked over at Tommy’s unconscious form and snarled as he looked over the scars littering his body. Techno longed to leave his cabin and enter the prison to rip the Dream’s head clean off his body.
Techno took a deep breath before putting those thoughts on pause. If he did that and left he’d only be proving that Tommy was right again. That he only cared for bloodshed and not for people.
Techno’s instincts screamed at him to protect the runt and protect his gold. And he will.
He won’t allow Dream, anyone, and even Tommy himself to harm him. Tommy will be safe here.
Regardless of whether he wants it or not.
The next week that passed was rocky to say the least. Techno watched the teen like a hawk and never left him alone for too long. He refused to let Tommy leave knowing that if he did he’d get the notification announcing Tommy’s death shortly after.
Techno’s instincts were thrilled to have the runt safe his sound while Tommy was less than thrilled to be stuck with the man.
It bothered Techno how different Tommy was. He was more feral, more unhinged and unstable. Tommy would keep quiet and snarl at him silently. If he didn’t know any better he would assume Tommy was the hybrid and not him.
He was only proven right when Tommy kept trying to escape and biting him every time he got caught.
“You’re not a dog so stop biting me,” Techno hissed as he carried the teen back inside. Escape attempt number 16 which was impressive since he only had Tommy for a week now.
Tommy only glowered at him silently making Techno sigh and run a hand down his face. Something had to change.
Thus the “stealing Tommy’s shoes and hiding them out of sight” started.
Tommy was completely and utterly exasperated. “Give me my shoes,” Tommy said slowly.
Techno only sipped at his tea slowly before putting his cup down. “Hmm nah I’m good.”
“Techno,” Tommy said in warning.
Techno only ate a bit of his breakfast omelet in response. They sat in silence for a bit while Tommy tried to glare Techno to death and Techno just peacefully ate his meal. “Eat up your foods getting cold,” he gruffly said.
Tommy spluttered. “You can’t just confiscate my fucking shoes after holding me hostage and then ignore the fact that you did!”
“Except I can and I will,” Techno answered, sipping more of his tea. “Tommy eat,” he pushed.
Tommy grumbled to himself before staring at his mostly full plate. “I’m full,” he explained shortly.
Techno looked at him with a frown. “Are you actually or is this out of spite?”
Tommy snarled at him before looking away, seemingly slightly ashamed. “Actually,” he said as he sat back and crossed his arms to his chest in an attempt to comfort himself. “Dream like to starve me in exile and he tried to do it when we were trapped in prison,” he explained not looking at Techno.
Techno bent his fork in half and was glad Tommy wasn’t staring at him because his face was pure bloodlust. More than anything he wanted to rip Dream apart. He settled for taking a few deep breaths. “Okay we’ll work on that,” he merely said.
Tommy blinked as he whipped his head back to Techno. “What?,” he asked, frowning.
Techno nodded towards his plate. “I’ll put the rest of that in the fridge for you later if you get hungry. We’ll work on expanding your stomach and appetite.”
Tommy stared at him confused as Techno grabbed his plate and wrapped it up for him. “I- what,” he weakly said.
Techno froze for a second before releasing a long sigh. “It’s not your fault,” he said quietly. “I can’t blame you for this. It’s an easy fix, kid. You’ll be back to normal in no time.”
“I’ve never had much of an appetite since I’ve been brought back,” Tommy warned him. “Seriously I don’t know how alive I am anymore.”
Techno finished placing his plates he grabbed in the sink and gripped the counter so tightly it cracked slightly. “And that’s okay,” he forced himself to say. “You’re alive and we’ll figure it out.”
Techno ignored Tommy’s grumbles of how “he fucking wished he wasn’t” and “how he was acting all weirdchamp.”
If Tommy genuinely thought people caring about his well-being and health was weird then Techno really failed as a big brother.
He bit back a snarl as he finished the dishes. Tommy watched him from where he was curled up at the table with his head resting on his knees and a blanket wrapped around him.
At least Tommy stopped trying to run during week three. The no shoes idea was brilliant. It only took Tommy five escape attempts without shoes before he gave up.
Now Tommy was begrudgingly starting to get comfortable living with Techno. He was a little louder and Techno encouraged it despite himself.
It freaked him out how withdrawn and silent Tommy could be. He missed his loud mouthed brother who loudly laughed.
Techno will get his old brother back. He knows he can. It will take a lot of time and effort but it’ll be worth it. Besides, he owes it to him.
After their chat at breakfast they fell into a sort of rhythm. Which was new, exciting, and a bit terrifying.
Techno would quietly encourage Tommy to be as outgoing as he could manage and offer a silent form of comfort if the teen needed it. Tommy would falter between being quiet and silent as the grave and being a ticking time bomb. The mood swings were valid but extremely concerning.
On the quiet days Tommy would silently stalk over to where Techno was sitting and sit next to him while he read.
When this happened Techno would read out loud the stories he was reading if he thought they weren’t too gorey or tragic for Tommy to handle. Rarely Tommy would lean into his side and sometimes fall asleep.
Techno would never admit that the first time Tommy fell asleep with his head leaned against his shoulder he had to blink back tears.
Progress was slow but it was progress.
And yeah Techno felt a tiny bit bad keeping Tommy inside 24/7 but he couldn’t risk losing his brother. Plus the idea of looking the others in the eye and telling them how Tommy could have died made him cringe. God just thinking about Phil and Wilbur’s reactions-
Techno’s head whipped over to his communicator sitting on the seat of his arm chair. Oh shit he forgot to tell Wilbur and Phil where Tommy was.
Gently he pushed Tommy off of him and covered him in his cloak before speed walking over to his communicator. Then he headed to the kitchen so he didn’t wake Tommy up.
Techno took a deep breath that only shook ever so slightly before he called Phil. Luckily for him he answered on the second ring.
“Techno mate I’d love to chat but me and Wil are busy,” Phil said, sounding a bit preoccupied and a tad bit dangerous.
“Looking for Tommy right?,” Techno offered, staring at the teen from his seat at the kitchen table.
Something cracked on Phil’s end and Techno could faintly hear Wilbur yelping in shock. “Techno where is he,” Phil said in a low tone.
Techno frowned as he remembered all the things Tommy had begrudgingly spilled to him. Like his thoughts about how most of the people on this server and how most of them hated him. Tommy thought his own dad hated him and he had way too much evidence for Techno to blame him.
“He’s safe,” Techno simply offered.
“Techno,” Phil almost hissed, sounding like his instincts were taking over slightly. “Where the fuck is my son.”
“Yeah about that,” Techno drawled with a slight wince. “You sorta kinda disowned Tommy on doomsday?”
It was pure silence on both ends.
“What,” Phil breathed, sounding a tad bit horrified.
“Yeeeah,” Techno breathed before hissing slightly. “And you backed me up while I tried to murder all of Tommy and Wilbur’s friends so it’s not looking great.”
“I don’t- Techno I don’t understand,” Phil laughed nervously. “You wanted to destroy Manburg.”
“I did,” Techno sighed as he ran a hang down his face. “And I was wrong Phil.”
Phil spluttered and you could hear Wilbur talking to him in the background, probably asking what the fuck is going on. “What- Techno how were you possibly wrong? They killed Wilbur!”
“No,” Techno sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “You killed Wilbur, not them.”
“I- they forced me too,” Phil weakly protested.
“Phil nobody put a sword in your hand and told you that you had to murder your own son,” Techno deadpanned. “That was all you.”
Phil swallowed audibly as he tried to get his wits. “I- why is this even important. I need to find Tommy.”
Techno originally planned on telling Phil where Tommy was but now he didn’t want to. He couldn’t risk Phil undoing all of his progress. “I got my head pulled out of my ass recently,” he dryly said. “Phil, we're not the heroes. All we are is boogeymen to half of the smp. And I can’t blame them. We fucked up in our own ways and we have to own up to that.”
Phil was silent as Wilbur was still trying to get answers. “That doesn’t explain where Tommy is,” Phil pointed out, sounding resigned already knowing the answer.
“Look, all I got is that he’s safe for once in his life,” Techno added with just a tiny bit of rage in his voice. “It’s better if you don’t fuck around and try to find him making a mess.”
“He’s my son,” Phil weakly argued.
“Is he?,” Techno shot back, raising an unseen eyebrow. “Genuinely I would have never guessed.”
Phil snarled lowly at that and normally Techno would feel bad. But Tommy has been changing his world view slowly but surely. The kid wasn’t wrong about all of them. They all majorly fucked up.
“Look, all I called to say was that Tommy was safe,” Techno sighed. “I thought you’d be happy to hear that but I guess I was wrong.”
Phil didn’t answer, only audibly storming out. Shuffling was heard before Wilbur picked up the communicator. “Techno what was that all about,” Wilbur demanded. “Where is Tommy?”
Techno sighed as he rubbed his face. “Switch over to your communicator please if we’re going to have this conversation.”
Wilbur inhaled sharply but did as was told. Both men were well versed in being paranoid and Techno had a good fucking reason.
Techno answered Wilbur’s call before sighing again. “How much did you get from Phil’s call?”
“Other than that Phil tried to pretend he didn’t kill me himself and that you know where Tommy is? Absolutely nothing,” Wilbur huffed.
Techno looked at the ceiling as he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “You know what happened during exile now right?”
Wilbur snarled low and inhuman. “Yes,” he hissed. “But I’m banned from the prison and I promised Tommy I wouldn’t go near Dream.”
“So you won’t break him out?,” Techno pushed.
“I- of course I wouldn’t,” Wilbur rambled. “What is this about-,”
“I got Tommy,” Techno sighed, cutting off Wilbur as he looked at Tommy again. “He’s- he’s not doing great Wil.”
“Not doing great how,” Wilbur cautiously asked, sounding a tiny bit threatening.
“Dream really fucked him up,” Techno began in a low tone. “Kids stick thin, has no appetite at all, more wounds than skin, terrified of contact and of people, for fucks sake he’s giving you a run for your money at being the most unstable person around-,” Techno stopped his ramble and let out a huff. “I’m helping as much as I can but we’ve only made a tiny bit of progress.”
Wilbur was silent for a few seconds before asking quietly. “But he’s okay?”
Techno shut his eyes as grief crossed his face. “He’s doing better than he was before but he’s unstable Wil,” he admitted.
“Unstable how,” Wilbur pushed.
“About as unstable as you can get when you’re a seventeen year old traumatized child soldier,” Techno deadpanned. “Look,” he said with an exhale. “All I’m gonna say is he’s following in your footsteps.”
Wilbur inhaled sharply. “You mean he-,” he cut himself off. “Of course he would but he wouldn’t- oh god the tower in exile,” Wilbur muttered to himself.
“What tower?,” Techno asked.
“Dream blew up half of the island and left Tommy. Tommy built a tower far into the clouds-,” Wilbur trailed off for a few seconds. “He ended up at yours shortly after.”
Techno blinked rapidly as so many fucking pieces of the imaginary puzzle that was Tommy slotted into place. Techno swallowed. “Look I have him at mine if you want to come by,” Techno offered in a strained voice. “It’s not pretty but-,”
“I’ll be there by noon,” Wilbur said firmly, interrupting him. “Just- just keep him safe for me okay?,” he finished, sounding a bit pleading.
“Always,” Techno replied because he owed their brother that much.
“Good,” Wilbur breathed, running a hand through his hair audibly. “See you soon.”
“See you soon,” Techno echoed before hanging up.
Techno got up and made his way back over to Tommy. Once sitting he pulled his book out, he smiled slightly as Tommy leaned on him again. They’ll wait for Wilbur together.
Hours slowly passed and Techno was so relieved that Tommy was getting more sleep. The bruises under the kid’s eyes started to look a little less intense day by day.
The door to the cabin opened up with no lead up and Techno fought not to tense and wake Tommy up. He relaxed at seeing Wilbur.
Wilbur dropped his bag in the doorway and fell to his knees in front of Tommy. He stared at Tommy’s face with so much heartbreak. Gently he brushed Tommy’s bangs out of his face.
Techno looked away for a few seconds before looking back. He sighed before gently shaking Tommy awake despite Wilbur’s shocked noise of protest.
“What do you want Tech I was sleeping for once,” Tommy grumbled rubbing his eye with his knuckle.
“You got a visitor kid,” Techno softly said, nudging him lightly.
Tommy looked up and blinked at the person who was in front of him. “Wilby,” he breathed, sounding so unsure of if this was real or not.
Techno got up and Wilbur sat down as he pulled Tommy to his chest.
“Yeah,” Wilbur choked. “It’s me I’m- I’m here toms I promise.”
“Missed you,” Tommy mumbled into the fabric of Wilbur’s sweater.
“Oh I missed you too sunshine,” Wilbur sighed gripping Tommy to him tightly. “But I’m here now okay? Not going anywhere.”
Techno coughed slightly and shuffled towards the door. “I’m gonna go feed the dogs and the horses. Wilbur keep him inside, if he goes out he might get sick,” he ordered. “Tommy, make sure Wilbur doesn’t burn my house down.”
Wilbur let out an annoyed squawk but Tommy only snorted and offered a nod. Techno ruffled his hair before heading out.
By the time he finished all of his tasks and headed inside he blinked at Tommy sleeping on top of Wilbur and Wilbur’s glare not directed at him though. Both had faint tear tracks.
“Did you actually steal his shoes?,” Wilbur asked in amusement.
Techno huffed as he sat down at his arm chair. “Had to or else the kid would have kept trying to run.”
Wilbur snorted. “I thought he was joking, damn. Somebody got soft,” he teased.
Techno only shrugged. “Can’t deny that. Tommy pulled my head out of my ass Wil. I’m trying to be a better person.”
“You and me both,” Wilbur muttered brushing a hand through Tommy’s hair. “I figured I was allowed to stay for a bit?”
“Of course,” Techno responded with a nod. “Besides, it would be shitty of me to have you visit and then force you to leave.”
Wilbur tightened his grip on Tommy. “Good because I’m not leaving him.”
Techno inclined his head. “Wasn’t gonna make you.”
The two of them stared at each other. Techno’s calm and amused eyes locked with Wilbur’s protective and possessive.
“We’re gonna help him, Wilbur,” Techno promised. “Then we’ll get rid of Dream, once and for all.”
Wilbur darkly chuckled as he stroked Tommy’s cheek lightly. “Sounds like a plan.”
Two men swore silently then and there while staring each other down to hold each other to their word.
They were going to help their little brother and nurse back to health while keeping him safe and then get rid of the monster responsible for it all.
Tommy deserved it, he deserved everything.
They’d make sure Tommy would get it.
No matter the cost or who gets in their way.
They owed him that much.