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"No." A monotone voice states blandly.
A sharp whine echoes throughout the study, the blonds from hung lazily over one of the chairs.
"But Tech- I want to get out, see some new things!" Tommy complained, a huff of his tongue.
Techno raised his head slightly to stare up at the blond through the top of his glasses. He looked unimpressed, a frankly common sight.
"Then go outside."
Tommy slid dramatically off the chair with a loud groan, laying starfished on the carpeted floor. His wings sprawled out, loose feathers falling from them onto the floor.
"That's not fair! You get to go on all these fun adventures, and I can't even leave the damn capital!"
"Need I remind you that we are in the middle of a treaty that could, at any moment, turn into a war?" Techno drawled.
Tommy rolled his eyes and stood up, shaking his arms out to get rid of the numb staticy feeling that took over his limbs.
Tommy's pouting was almost comical as he paced back and forth in the- in Tommy's opinion, snooty study. Techno's sharp gaze followed Tommy's every step, his expression unchanged.
Tommy sighed dramatically, his blond hair falling into his eyes as he plopped back down on the plush armchair across from the one Techno occupied. "You're just afraid I'll cause trouble, aren't you?"
Techno leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers, his glasses catching the light from the candles that flickered rapidly beside him.
"Theseus, you have a penchant for finding trouble even in the most mundane of places. It's not about whether you'll cause trouble, I'm afraid they'll try to take you as leverage."
Tommy's eyes narrowed as he glared at one of the maps strewn about on the man's desk. "I simply wouldn't. Come on, don't you trust me? What's the worst thing that could happen?"
Techno's lips twitched into a wry smile. "Do you really want me to answer that, or are you being rhetorical?"
Tommy pouted, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "Ugh, I hate it when you're right." He mumbled. "All we've been doing is going over stupid policies, and trade agreements. I wanna do something fun!"
Techno's expression loosened as he let out a soft sigh. He slides the glasses off his face and stares at the blond with a neutral expression."It's not easy leading an Empire, Theseus. You'll do good to remember that."
Tommy's shoulders slumped, and he sighed. His eyes straying to the side, almost as if he's avoiding looking at the man.
Techno leaned over and tousled Tommy's hair gently, ignoring the squawk of offense he gained from it. "You can start by studying those books on foreign affairs I've left for you. Understanding the intricacies of diplomacy will come in handy in the future."
Tommy pursed his lips and groaned as he stood and slunk his way out of the heavy doors.
Techno just watched with a blink, before turning back down to his papers.
He has too much to do today.
--------
So Tommy has come to realize that maybe he isn't as smart as he likes to think he is.
If anyone were to ask, this was completely not his fault.
It's not like he meant to sneak out, well he did- but he didn't mean to wander so far, he swears!
He'd been going mad at the castle, the same thing over and over again.
Go to class, then another, see Techno for about ten minutes, then he'd go to another class! Anyone would go crazy with the mundane of it all.
So after his and Technos little talk, Tommy came to the conclusion that he could go on his own.
He was a big man, and he'd lived on those streets the majority of his life! He knows the ends and outs, every shortcut, every sketchy alleyway- everything.
What he didn't think to account for was how different everything seemed to change in the few short years he had taken residence in the castle.
His wings puffed up as he passed by street after street, the bustling of people living out their lives grew abundant as they moved about.
Tommy glanced around awkwardly, staring at different stalls and shops, each decorated with their own little wares, trying to find something even remotely familiar.
That's not to say he's lost of course, that just be ridiculous! Tommy is the human GPS, not Techno! He completely knows where he is and how to get back-
He just….doesn't want to.
With his fault bravado, he puffed out his chest and forced himself forward. Trying his hardest to avoid people as they rushed by him.
Everything was going well, his mood picking up dramatically. He didn't know what Techno had been so worried about, everythings going fine.
--------
Everything is not fine!
When asked, Tommy will wholeheartedly deny that he was the cause for any of this.
He was minding his own business, decidedly not lost, when he was yanked back by one of his wings.
Of course he yelped and flapped them out of the painful grip.
He fell forward, ony for his arm to be pulled. He panicked as he tried to wiggle his way free, multiple hands trying to hold him.
Looking up at them, Tommy noted that he couldn't pick out any key features on anyone. Only seeing blacked out masks.
With drawing horror Tommy realized he was about to be robbed.
'Damn Techno and his preference for wearing fancy clothes!' Tommy thought hysterically.
Tommy's pupils narrowed as he hissed, his wings rising in warning, pushing the hands off.
He briefly noted the glistening swords that each one had on their person.
And Tommy's not stupid enough to believe he could take them, no matter what one might claim.
So he swiped his claws across the face of the person closest to him, dragging them across the fabric, digging into their skin.
They let out a scream, dropping their hold on him and crouching down, holding their face.
Tommy took the single second of shock to throw himself forward, his wings catching air as he moved.
Yelling started up almost immediately, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed behind him.
Tommy made sharp turns down random streets, flapping his wings to glide above stalls, making loops- the basterds seemed relentless.
He panted harshly as his pace slowed, not used to this much physical activity. Once he believed he was far enough away, he leaned against one of the brick walls of a house, his hand holding him up as he bent over as he panted.
His body shook and his legs numb as he tried to get the air to refill in his lungs. He raised his head suddenly as he heard quick footsteps nearing his little hideaway.
He booked it as he saw the shadows, not willing to wait around to make sure.
His footsteps pounded against the broken and cracked concrete, his wings swerving his body around corners.
He took one fearful glance behind him, only to confirm that he was still being trailed.
Tommy bared his teeth, and tried to push his legs faster.
Just as he was passing a narrow path in-between two tall buildings, a hand pulled itself out from the darkness.
It grabbed his shirt, yanking him into the alley.
His mouth opened in a squawk, before any sound could escape him though a hand was slapped over it.
His fear froze him for a minute before his body kicked in, he kicked back at their knees, trying to pry the hand off his mouth.
"Shh! Shut up- I'm not hurting you, I'm helping!" The voice whispered harshly at him.
Tommy continued his struggling, his body heaving as it pushed itself through more physical activity than it had in a long while.
Damn techno and his diplomatic teachings.
His wings fluffed and raised in their aid to knock the man off him. The man behind him let out a long groan, before he tensed. Tommy on instinct stopped his movements- both of them silent as they watched the bandits race by.
Once a significant amount of time had passed- at least for them- Tommy quickly tore himself away from the man's grip.
With a glare, he patted himself off, removing the imaginary dust on his clothes.
"You wrongun- you can't just go grabbing people off the street like that, ya weirdo!" Tommy yelled with an accusing finger pointed at him.
The man raises his hands in mock surrender. "What? Did you want me to let you get robbed?"
Tommy said nothing In rebuttal but kept his glare harsh.
The man sighed, and shook his head. His brown curls swing gently against his face at the movement.
Now that Tommy had a good look at him, the first thing he noticed was how freakishly tall the man was. Seriously- Techno's a fuckin giant, and he looks taller than him!
"You're taller than me. How fuckin dare you."
"...what."
They stared at each other, one with an angry look, and the other confused.
The man let out a groan before running a hand down his face. "Look- if I tell you who I am, will you stop staring at me like that? It's weird."
"Perhaps, it depends if I like the answer. Also it is not weird, I'm incredibly intimidating."
"You look like a goldfish."
Tommy jolted back before his eyes widened. He then jumped forward angrily, pointing a finger against the man's chest.
"How dare you! This is treason- I could have you executed for this!"
The man pursed his lips and he tried to stop himself from laughing. Shoulder shaking at the force of them.
It only served to make Tommy angrier, his yelling reaching new crescendos.
"Alright, alright- I'm sorry. You're very scary." The man said placatingly.
Tommy huffed, but backed off.
"My name is Wilbur. I haven't seen you around here before."
Tommy turned around, and stepped out of the cramped alleyway, Wilbur falling behind.
"Yeah, you look like your name's Wilbur." Tommy mumbled to himself. "My name's Tommy, and I may or may not have gotten lost from the capital."
Wilbur blinked at him. "The capital? How the fuck fid you get down here from the capital?"
Tommy groaned and threw his hand up in the air. "If I knew, I wouldn't be here in the first place!"
Wilbur let out a snort in response. "Yeah that's fair I suppose."
Tommy kept watch as they walked, apprehensive. He tried to keep towards crowds, not caring about the ear shattering noise that came with it.
Wilbur, seemingly having noticed, sighed and stopped walking. He placed a hand on Tommy's shoulder to keep him from wandering off.
"Where are you even headed? You have no idea where you're going right now." Wilbur mused.
Tommy pouted, his wings folded neatly behind him. "I-" he paused.
He should technically head back to the castle, Techno would flip if he ended up missing.
On the other hand…this is the most freedom- action- he's gotten in years.
His wings shuffled behind him as he thought.
"...I don't know." He finished on.
Wilbur gave him a look, but didn't question it.
The man then smiled wryly, a fake pondering look on his face as he tapped his chin in thought.
"Well, I suppose you could tak along with me." He muttered aloud.
Tommy narrowed his eyes. "That seems really sketchy, you know that right? That sounds like wroungun shit. Are you a wroungun man? Like kids dude?"
Wilbur sputtered with a disgusted look on his face. "What?" He slapped the back of the blonds head with a palm. "Don't say that!" He whispered hissed.
Tommy laughed, full belly chuckles and ugly snorts escaping him.
Wilbur glared at him amusedly, before ruffling his hair.
"I'm inviting you out of the goodness of my heart, you brat."
Tommy smacked his hand away, before trying to flatten his hair.
"What are you even doing?"
A pause.
"Looking for my dad."
It was Tommy's turn to stare confused. "Your dad?"
Wilbur pursed his lip, before taking a breath. "Yeah. He went….missing. and- I know something happens to him! He wouldn't just disappear! Especially without telling me."
He turned his head, an almost angry look formed on his face.
The air was somber as silence enveloped them, even through the deafening noise.
Eventually, Tommy took a deep breath, before holding his hand out to Wilbur with a bright grin.
"Well then, Wilbur. Let's go see where he ended up."
Wilbur chuckled before grasping Tommy's hand, shaking it.
"Nice doing business with you blondie."
--------
Techno is not an impulsive man.
He's very calm and calculated when doing most anything.
That being said, once he was made aware that no one's seen his Theseus in days-
He rightfully freaked out.
One, at the fact, no one bothered to mention it to him until days had passed. And two, why no one bothered to mention it to him until days had passed!
Easy to say, he's not particularly happy with his staff at the moment.
He'd sent out scouting party after scouting party, desperate to find any evidence at all. While he'd feared it, Techno had been awaiting a ransom.
All for not.
All of the restless nights and exhausting days worrying- all for nothing.
Because he's here.
Thesus was here, and he didn't seem to be alone.
Techno watched blankly as his runaway bounced about, followed closely by a frankly, lanky man.
They both carried bright smiles on their faces, and even from here Techno could faintly hear the boisterous laughter echoing from the two.
He seethed, how dare they laugh, enjoy themselves, while Techno had been running himself ragged for weeks- relentless in his search for the blond.
He hadn't even meant to find him, at least not here.
Techno had been leading another one of his scouting party's, yes- but they were heading east, closer to the border.
Technos lips upturned, exposing his tusks and sharp teeth as he huffed angrily.
"Niki." He spat out.
One of the guards in her gold and black armor stepped forward, her head held high until she lowered it in a bow.
"Sir."
"Inform the royal guard we've found my runaway."
Niki jumped, before flinging her head in the direction Techno was looking. Her lips open In surprise.
"I- of course sir." She bowed once more before stepping back and barking out orders that the others were quick to obey.
Techno watched silently as the two, who were oblivious to all the eyes on them, goofed off.
Every moment he spent watching them, his anger grew. He clenched his hands tightly together, claws digging into his palms.
He would wait, he decided.
Watch them until Niki gets back with his order.
So he did, he followed as the two seemed oblivious to the world, so caught up in their happy bubble.
Even with Technos advanced hearing, he couldn't begin to understand their conversations- he could only guess by their overly dramatic hand motions.
He was patient- he had to be.
Running an empire wouldn't last very long if he wasn't.
So why was this killing him?
It was like a burning feeling at the back of his skull, under his skin. It itches and blisters as he finally gets to see the bright smile he'd been desperately searching for the past couple weeks.
But somehow, it's not as bright as he remembered it.
That was his smile. He noted with an eye twitch. It belonged to him, and him alone.
Who the hell did this peasant think he is? Was there some coercion? Threats? False promises?
What made his Theseus leave? Made him run into the arms of some….common folk.
"Sir, all parties have been informed. Awaiting your command." Niki interrupted, with folded hands.
Techno nodded and took a deep breath.
"Go, corner them in an alley. We can't have him flying away. Keep him grounded." Techno ordered, watching as his guards scattered.
Once left alone, Techno ran his tongue over one of his canines.
It's been awhile since he's had time to play blood god.
For old times sake.
--------
"You're a long way from home, aren't you, Theseus?" A heavy voice boomed.
It echoed harshly against the walls. They'd made a wrong turn somewhere after Wilbur claimed to know a shortcut- which took them straight into a dead end.
Just his luck.
At the sound of his voice, Tommy's blood turned cold, his wings twitching and eyes widened.
Wilbur just glanced towards the blond, clearly confused. He then turned to where the voice originated from, only to gape as he came face to face with the emperor and his guards.
With a sudden vigor, Wilbur pushed himself in front of the blond, standing tall as if to hide him.
"Techno-" Tommy gasped, one of his hands firm on Wilbur's sleeve.
The man, to his credit, didn't look like it bothered him much. Wilbur had an arm thrown out in front of Tommy, a meager attempt to shield him from the raging piglin.
"Tommy, go." Wilbur whispered to him, his eyes not once leaving Technos.
Tommy bristled his wings jerking, he swirled his head to glare at the other. "Are you out of your damn mind?! He looks like he's going to rip your head off!" He whispered harshly at him.
"I'd rather he do that and you escape, than us both be caught!"
"I want you to take a good look at him and tell me if you think he's more mad at me or you!"
"Well i-"
A loud snarl cut their argument short, their once raising voices quickly falling silent and they both tense back up.
"Shut up." Techno hissed harshly, the grip on his sword flexing.
The guards behind him quickly fall into position, their swords raised in preparation. Dogs awaiting their commands.
Tommy's mouth clicks shut as he glances between them anxiously, arms shaking as he peered at the piglin from over wilburs arm.
"Techno, it's- uh..good to see you?" He mumbled.
Techno bares his teeth, his eyes narrowing. "Is it now? Do you have any idea what I went through looking for you?"
Tommy stamers, but is once more interrupted.
"I searched everywhere for you. I had no idea what had happened to you. I thought the worst." A step forward.
"I feared for you. But you wouldn't care about that, would you? Your so fucking selfish, I tell you things to keep you safe- and you went and did it anyway. Taking me away from actual important matters, to search for you-"
"No one told you to-!"
"-and I found you here? Did you have fun then, Theseus? Was it worth it?"
Tommy hunched into his shoulders, his wings coming up to attempt to cover him. his eyes kept locked onto the concrete below him. His breathing heavy as he tried to bury his face into wilburs shirt.
"What the hell is your problem?!" Wilbur hissed.
Tommy jumped and shook his head wildly at the man.
Techno narrowed his eyes and turned his gaze to him, the glare hardening as it fell away from Tommy.
"And you." Techno started, taking another step. "This is treason against the crown."
"You know, usually to be charged with that, you actually have to do something treasonous." Wilbur spit back.
Techno shot him a blank look, his eyes narrowed at the man. Then, with a tilt of his lip, snapped his fingers.
Soldiers descended upon them like a pack of wolves, Tommy let out a shocked yelp when they yanked him harshly away from Wilbur.
"Wait- Wilbur!" Tommy cried, attempting to break free of the knight's hold.
He watched helplessly as Wilbur was harshly grabbed, his eyes widened in fear.
He jerked back as Techno stepped into his line of sight, blocking his view of Wilbur.
"What are you doing!? Let go of him!" Tommy cried.
Techno scowls deepend as his hand shot out a roughly grabbed Tommy's hair, forcing it back to look up at the piglin, forcing a cry out of the blonds mouth.
"Even now you still fight me. Why can't you ever listen?" He snarled.
Suddenly he was let go, dropping from the sudden action. Before he could move to run to Wilbur, he was pulled roughly by his arm.
This scenario was becoming way to familiar.
His wings flattened in fear, as he tried to back away from the painful grip.
He was suddenly jolted out of his fear at the sound of a pained groan echoing from behind the bulky piglin.
With a gasp, Tommy quickly tore himself from Techno's hold, not caring for the way the man's nails ripped open his skin.
He darted around him, fluttering his wings as he watched Wilbur be kicked down onto the harsh concrete. His eyes narrowed into slits, a harsh rattle building up in his throat.
With a push of his wings Tommy threw himself forward, barreling through the wall of guards lined up in front of him.
One of them caught his shoulder, attempting to pull him back- but all Tommy could focus attention on is the way Wilbur sat kneeled on the ground, pained wheezes escaping him.
Tommy let out a full hiss, and dug his claws tightly into the man's hand, blood pooling around his talons.
The man yelled and pulled his hand back, leaving Tommy to push forward once more.
Once he was close, Tommy threw his arms around the man's shoulders, covering the man with his wings as he hissed at the surrounding people.
One of the knight's raised their sword towards them, only to have it pushed down as Techno stalked forward.
The man stared blankly at the scene, his lips still twisted in that patronizing scowl.
He tilted his head, before letting out a quiet, and harsh snarl.
"Alright Theseus, let's make a deal."
--------
He hasn't been able to move for a long while, Tommy notes dully.
His legs ache from the strained position they'd been left in. He can't bring himself to move them, it seemed to be more work than just dealing with it.
It wouldn't help, he knew that. The soreness of his legs matched with the rest of his aching body.
His throbbing back.
Even now, his back flexes, the muscles fanning out its phantom appendages. It hurts, but it keeps him leveled.
Tommy blinks slowly, the action seeming harder than it used to be. His head heavy, and leaning, but not quite ready to fall.
The cotton comforter wrapped tightly around his form gave off a soothing heat, a comforting one.
He hasn't felt warm in a while.
He wonders idly how Wilbur was doing. He'd hoped Techno kept his promise in letting the man go.
It wasn't his fault he was dragged into this.
Tommy swallowed thickly when memories came flashing into his mind. Wilbur, his friend- no, brother, held at the sharp end of Technos wavering mercy. The memory turned a mockery of the protection the piglin had once wholeheartedly promised.
It was something he couldn't escape, no matter how much he tried to distract himself.
He could still hear the franticness of Wilbur's voice, a mix of fear, anger, and hurt.
Techno had not seemed to care about the innocent man he'd so badly harmed, his face had been cold, but Tommy knew the man well enough to see the fire blazing in his eyes.
His eyes had seemed to glow, with his permanently pulled back snarl, tusks and sharp teeth on full display.
He had never seen Techno like that before – so merciless, so angry.
Tommy had tried to intervene, to stand between the two people he cared most for in this entire lifetime, but he'd been quickly pushed away. Techno leveling him with a glare that froze him.
His hands grasped tightly onto his cover, the red fabric, which once held so much warmth in it, seemed cold, and forced.
His mouth had made itself into a permanent frown, not quite able to force itself up.
Tommy drug a hand slowly over his side, and up towards his back. His shirts had been discarded for the thick wrap and gauze around his chest.
It was constricting in all of the worst ways possible.
His once colorful wings, gone.
Taken by someone who'd claimed to be his protector, his flock.
The room was suffocatingly quiet- he refused to call it his room anymore- as if the world outside had quietened itself. As if to join in on his mounting.
Because that's what this was, he was grieving himself. Crying for someone who is not yet gone.
But the part that matters is, his soul left him, leaving just a shell in its place. His joy was gone, the adventure.
Could he even call himself Tommy anymore?
Was there enough of the broken pieces to pick up and painstakingly put back together?
He mourned himself, and the pain was almost suffocating. Yet, he could not bring himself to cry.
Avians have come a long way in their customs, leaving behind the old and cruel and replacing them with acceptance.
One thing that could never change, something you wouldn't even be able to beat out of one, is their instincts.
Everyone knows this, every hybrid has instincts in one way or another.
What not everyone knows is these instincts aren't necessarily there for your own survival, but the survival of the whole species.
If you are a threat to the flock's survivability, you do what's best.
Avains are first and foremost pack creatures, flock means everything to them. So, once, a very long time ago- when they were prey to the bigger and stronger species- they would do whatever it took to insure their flocks survival.
Even at their own assured self destruction.
Once you were a hazard, you would die- that's how it worked.
Tommy clenched his hands sporadically, tightening his grip into the softness of his palm randomly.
His mind screaming at him.
Tommy hasn't been with a flock for a long time.
That doesn't mean the urge isn't still there.
Who is he, without his wings? What use does he have? What purpose does he serve?
He's expendable now.
Avains aren't prey, they haven't been for centuries- but how could he hold his flock back?
His flock.
Wilbur-
Techno.
This….his flock did this to him. How could he forget? He wasn't enough, and he'd been punished for it.
Tommy exhaled shakily, his eyes dark and tired as he turned his head to gaze out the window.
The moonlight shone through frozen glass, casting the room in a bright white light.
Tommy hadn't even realized when his body moved from its fold, his mind shutting off as he stumbled his way on shaking legs towards the largest window.
He paused as he reached it, placing a hand against the cold frame. The snow on the outside was always a beauty, and Tommy found bitter irony in the way the glistening ice could turn so deadly so fast.
Tommy slid his hand down the polished oak frame, lower and lower until his fingers danced over the metal handle. He fiddled with it for a moment, his hands not quite able to grasp it.
With a quiet breath, his hand flew from the handle- and with a yank, it flew open. Letting in the frozen air of a crisp winter.
The warmth of the room, not being able to overpower the frozen touch, quickly turned icy.
The curtains blew with each bust of wind that seemed to hit Tommy's form directly, moving his blond hair back and forth in its motions.
With a glance, Tommy turned his head upwards, turning his sight up at the stars, his only company.
His leg moved slightly forward, before lifting and being placed on the wooden edge of the window seal.
He grasped the railing and pushed himself upwards.
His body ached at every light movement, back pulling apart under its thick confines.
He let his hands go as he got up, the wind somehow seeming angrier than moments before, the biting cold nipping at him, his clothes doing nothing to stop the chill.
Tommy stared out into the stars, his breathing even.
It was almost funny, Tommy would have sworn his death would have been a raging blaze.
No, it seems the ice was always a much more prominent part of his life.
A small step forward, and Tommy can see the garden below him.
He hopes if Wilbur is still alive, he'll be ok. Continue his search for his dad.
Tommy hopes Wilbur finds him. He deserves to have all the happiness this miserable world deserves to offer.
He takes a deep breath inwards and closes his eyes, his grip on the window frame loosening as his body slowly starts to fall forwards.
The wind fought him all the while, attempting to push him back into the safety of the room.
With one last kickoff, he pushes himself off.
And then he's falling, wind whipping around him.
Then he's not.
Tommy gasps as a rough hand yanks him back by their tight grip on his forearm. He stumbles and crashes harshly into their chest, nearly casting them both to fall over.
Time seems to stop as they both stand there, one panting harshly, and the other almost immobile.
A statue.
A hand grips his chin harshly, turning his head so he looks Techno in the eyes. His teeth were bared and his eyes wild, his breath coming out in heavy gasps.
"What do you think you’re doing?" Techno hisses, his claws digging into soft flesh.
Tommy just stared, his eyes wide but dull.
His fingers twitched sporadically from the place at his sides, he kept quiet.
Techno growled and suddenly pulled Tommy's face closer. "Answer me!"
Silence.
Tommy didn't flinch, didn't cry or fight.
Just stared.
It was nothing like the Tommy Techno remembered. Not his little boy who would make the world know his displeasure, not the one who would run up to Techno in between meetings, since that's the only time of the day they could see each other with his busy schedule.
Not his son who smiles so brightly that Techno felt eased by just looking at him.
No this isn't his boy.
Where is Technos son?
'He was gone the minute Tommy walked away. Left him.' He thought bitterly.
With clenched teeth Techno releases the grip he had on the boy, his hands trailing down to rub gently at Tommy's back.
Over the carefully wrapped wounds and stubs.
He's careful as he does, watching intently for any signs of pain. Tommy doesn't seem to notice the touch, simply staring ahead blankly, his head still where Techno had left it.
"Theseus." Techno says warningly. "What were you doing?"
Tommy does nothing more than breath for a moment, blinking slowly as his gaze shifts ever so slightly up.
The once bright blue eyes mock Techno with the gray that overtook them, eyebags heavy under them, looking like the bruises that already cover the rest of the boy's body.
His head seemed heavy, like Tommy himself was having a hard time keeping it lifted. It wobbled slightly, but he never once broke eye contact.
Techno swallowed thickly, his throat heavy.
With his lips pursed, Techno took a deep sigh.
"You're ok, Theseus. You're alright, I swear." He soothes, gently pushing Tommy to lay against the piglins chest.
He held him tightly in his grip, his arms shaking as Tommy went limp in his hold.
"It's ok." He whispered. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. I didn't mean to, Tommy. I didn't know- " a breath. "We'll fix it. I know we will. I'll have you running around, laughing in no time."
He ran a soothing hand over blond curls, pressing his lips to Tommy's forehead and leaving them there. "I'll fix it. I always do." He muttered again Tommy skin.
Techno pulled back slightly, moving to rest his chin on Tommy's head, and pulling him closer so his ear was against Technos chest.
Techno wanted him to hear his heart beat. To hear how much love he held for him, so he could let him know his heart without speaking.
He was never any good at it.
Techno just breathed, rocking the two of them back and forth. Tommy still hadn't responded, but Techno knew he would eventually.
No matter how long his tantrums lasted he always gave out in the end.
No matter how long he takes, Techno will still be here, waiting.
'But first.' He thinks. 'I've got to figure out if wings stay fresh on ice.'
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