Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

(Important clarification before we delve into the story: The events depicted here are entirely non-canon. While some elements may share similarities with the original material, they have been intentionally altered to craft an engaging narrative.)

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"Tommy, you've got three seconds to tell me why Tubbo is here," Techno said, attempting to maintain his composure, though his anger simmered beneath the surface. He had willingly agreed to help Tommy, considering him a close friend, even a brother. So why, of all people, would Tommy invite Tubbo—the man who had once agreed to exile him—to his home?

Tommy paused, gathering weapons and supplies he had acquired from Technoblade, evidently preparing to leave. "Techno, you just don't understand. L'Manburg needs me! And I need it too, Techno," he explained earnestly. Techno felt a mix of shock and anger, wondering how one man could endure so many betrayals.

The voices echoed with the same ferocious anger as Techno's, fervently craving blood and gore from the Piglin.

                            KILL THE CHILD!

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!

             KILL LE' CHILD!

No Tommy WhY

                      Stfu let him kill the child!

Hands

"Hah... Tommy, I'll give you one minute to leave right now before I consider taking action against both you and Tubbo," Techno declared, his voice resolute.

"I knew you wouldn't understand. Just stay away from L'Manburg, Techno-" Tommy began to plead, but Techno interjected, counting down coldly, "59, 58, 57, 56..."

The tension in the room escalated as the seconds ticked away, the once unshakable bond between them now tested by the turmoil surrounding L'Manburg and its uncertain future.

Tubbo and Tommy hurriedly departed, leaving Techno to ponder the curious absence of the usual clamoring bloodlust from the voices in his head. It was unusual since they had often goaded him into violent actions before.

He suspected that deep down, he had anticipated this betrayal. Dream's warnings over the past few days about Tommy's plans to betray him had planted seeds of doubt.

The voices, who had previously denounced Dream's claims, might now be silent because, in hindsight, they understood that Dream had been telling the truth. Perhaps they had recognized that Tommy's actions confirmed Dream's warning.

......bruh......

This realization left Techno questioning how Dream had come to possess this knowledge in the first place. It seemed likely that Dream had informed Techno about Tommy's plans to coerce him into surrendering Tommy.

Yet, the true reason behind Dream's knowledge remained unclear, shrouded in uncertainty.

Was Dream merely seeking to get his hands on Tommy, or did he have a more intricate motive? Techno couldn't be certain, but the questions continued to linger in his mind as he weighed the implications of this turn of events.

                           KILL THEM BOTH NERD

just kill them both

                          Ehhhh- is it really our problem? C'mon, the kid says he's not a child, he can take care of himself.

idk man I'd say wait until something bad happens.

                         Maybe he wants to ask him something~

Once more, the voices offered no solace. Techno, unsettled by the last comment, forged ahead, venting his frustration with an angry huff. One thing was clear: Tommy would never be welcome here unless he had a death wish.

Soon enough, Techno resolved to embark on another seemingly innocent 'adventure,' which, in reality, amounted to the genocide of the nearest town. Armed with his axe and shield, he set off to meet Carl, leaving a brief note for Phil: "I'm off, don't wait up for me."

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Perched on a tree, Dream observed Techno's cabin from a distance, witnessing Tommy hastily leaving with Tubbo. It's so satisfying when everything falls into place without any effort, Dream mused, a smirk playing on his lips.

Playing with a dagger, he noticed a crow that had spotted him. Swiftly, Dream pulled out a bow and arrow, shooting the bird down. Damn Phil and his crows, he muttered under his breath.

Despite his initial inclination to let the bird bleed out, Dream decided to turn the situation to his advantage. He swiftly descended from the tree, making his way towards the injured bird.

"Heya there, birdy. Sorry about that – can't have you snitching on me. Let me fix you up," Dream remarked, pulling out a regeneration potion and carefully applying a few drops to the bird. With a gentle touch, he removed the arrow and skillfully wrapped the bird in cloth before placing it in his bag. "I should probably stop being so soft," he mused to himself.

"Now, let's wait and see when Techno's gonna leave," Dream mumbled to the bird, patting its head. In response, the bird pecked his hand. "Ow, I said I was sorry!" Dream exclaimed, a playful grin forming on his face.

The bird turned its head away, not attempting to escape but instead observing Dream. Dream, in turn, went back to hiding, patiently waiting until he was certain Techno wasn't just taking Carl for a ride. Once Techno was out of sight, Dream swiftly made his way to Techno's cabin.

"Don't look at me like that, birdy. I just want to return something without him knowing," Dream mumbled to the bird as he entered the house. Quietly, he made his way to the table, retrieving what appeared to be a golden necklace from a bag. The bird quickly recognized it as the necklace Techno believed he had lost a month ago, prompting the bird to start squawking.

"Hey, hey! Shhh! I just borrowed it for a while. He's the only one with a necklace that allows you to travel through the Nether unharmed. Plus, I'm returning it – see?" Dream explained, placing the necklace down.

"And on top of that, it was Tommy who initially stole it. I simply took it from Tommy," Dream explained as he began to leave. However, the bird didn't seem pleased, plucking at his hand.

"Ow! What do you possibly want from—" Dream started but then noticed the bird pulling out a notepad. "Really? Do you want me to write him a message? Why would I possibly—" Dream then seemed to get an idea. "You're a smart bird," Dream said as he patted the bird.

He then started writing on the paper, 'Hi piggy, Tommy dropped this a week ago - I figured it was actually yours, so I decided to play nice and return it. ~ Dream'

After finishing writing, Dream placed the note on the table next to the necklace. He then glanced at the bird with a smile. "How about we go down to Puffy's tavern, and I buy you dinner as a sorry and thank you?" he asked, and the crow nodded. Dream quietly left the cabin, careful not to be spotted by another bird or Phil himself.

As Dream finally reached the forest, there, by the tree, stood none other than Spirit – Dream's favorite horse. A beautiful white stallion, incredibly smart when it came to evading threats. "Hi, girl. Did I keep you waiting for long?" Dream asked, and she simply huffed.

"Sorry, let's go home," Dream said as he undid the ties and mounted her. Swiftly taking the reins, he headed through the forest. It was going to take a few hours on horseback from Techno's place to the tavern.

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Techno was covered from head to toe in blood, as red as the wine Phil liked to drink. It took him less than two hours to eliminate an entire town – some would call it impressive, others would call it insane. The voices were quietly celebrating another victory as Techno fed Carl and headed into his home. Slowly opening the door, he realized someone had definitely been there after he left. Techno quickly looked around and noticed something on the table, slowly moving towards it.

"My necklace!" Techno exclaimed as he grabbed it and examined it. He then looked at the note next to it and read it aloud.

"Hi piggy, Tommy dropped this a week ago - I figured it was actually yours, so I decided to play nice and return it - Dream," Techno read aloud, looking at the necklace with confusion. He didn't know if he should feel grateful that Dream decided to return it or be concerned about why he had it in the first place.

"Dream's been acting stranger more and more. Does he need something from me?" Techno said to himself as he put the necklace in his pocket, tossing away the note as well as the one he left for Phil just in case he returned.

Despite his aversion to seeking advice from Phil, Techno decided it might be worthwhile. He couldn't deny that the man could be helpful if nothing else. Quickly moving to the front door, he went over to Phil's and knocked on the man's door.

After a few minutes, Phil hurriedly opened the door. "Sorry to keep you waiting, mate - I don't know where Nova is," Phil stammered, and Techno cut him off. "Nova? Is it one of your birds?" Techno asked.

"Yes, he usually scouts the territory here, but I can't find him," Phil said, Techno guessed what might have happened to it but decided to keep his theories to himself for now. "I came to chat, but if you're busy-" Techno began, and Phil immediately sighed.

"No, no. Nova's going to come back; the other crows can feel he's still alive and with us. It's just a matter of time and what he's even doing. Come in; I'll make some tea for us."

Phil moved away from the door and went to the kitchen. Techno came in, leaving his cape on the rack as he sat down on the couch. Phil put the water to boil, adding a spoon of sugar and preparing two tea cups with tea bags before joining Techno on the couch.

"What's bugging you, Techno?" Phil asked as Techno straightened his posture and looked at the older man. "I... well, a lot. First, you should know Tommy's not coming back. He decided to go back to the country and the man that chased him away more than once."

Phil didn't seem surprised as he looked away from Techno. "Ah, I'm aware... the crows like to talk. Plus, I raised Tommy. If Tubbo told him to jump off a bridge, he'd do it. Not to mention he seems to chase trouble," Phil said as he looked at Techno. "But I don't think that's why you seem distressed right now. You said it best, 'All men do is betray Technoblade, eat hot chips, and lie,' or something."

"Well yes, I expect so much from Tommy. The child even stole my equipment - that doesn't mean I'll take this betrayal lightly. But you're right, it's something else. It's about Dream," Techno began, and Phil stood up. "Hold that thought; I'll go bring tea," Phil said as he went to the kitchen and returned with two cups of fresh hot tea, setting one cup in front of Techno on the coffee table.

"Now, what did Dream do?" Phil asked, intensely listening to Techno. "Well, it's more of his recent... advances? He's been warning me about Tommy betraying me, often leaving small things I need at my front door, and even offering help with the people after my head. And just mere minutes ago, he left me that Netherite necklace which prevents mobs from attacking you that Tommy lost on the table. That necklace can't be found anywhere - and instead of keeping it, he returned it even though he knows I don't care for it."

Techno explained, taking a breath and looking at Phil, waiting for his reaction. Phil nodded along as he stirred the tea in the cup.

"Well, there can be multiple reasons as to why he's doing this. It's Dream we're talking about, after all. It can vary from him trying to get you on his side, to him being bored and toying with you. But - call it intuition - he may want to make friends with you. Or make you an ally," Phil said, prompting Techno to look confused, prompting Phil to explain why he thinks so.

Phil then looked at Techno again, his wings shifting a bit. "I heard from the crows that there has been a falling out between the Dream Team. Well, more of Dream finding out traces of conspiracy from Sapnap and Badboyhalo. And considering how you and him - although rivals - are the only ones who haven't 'betrayed each other' per se, he might want you on his side. Someone he knows will make his intentions clear and won't go against him out of the blue."

Phil explained, taking a sip of the tea, and Techno did the same. "Hm," was the only thing Techno said, contemplating the situation. "So should I talk to him? Or chase him out?" Techno asked, even though he might already know the answer.

"Whatever you want to do. It's your choice whether you want to ally with him or not. Both have their perks and risks. It's all up to you," Phil responded.

Techno let out another "hm" as he took a sip from the cup, deciding that he would tell Phil about his theory in return for the advice.

"As you may already be assuming, I think the missing bird might be Dream's doing. He was here a few hours ago," Techno said, and Phil nodded. "He didn't kill it," Phil added, and Techno sighed, rubbing his temple.

"Now, why wouldn't he, is the question?" Techno asked himself more than Phil, and Phil smiled to himself.

"I have known you when you were small, and I knew Dream too. I can say that back when he was small, he adored animals - as much as he changed from cute and fragile to untouchable and cruel, some things might always be unchangeable," Phil said, and Techno raised an eyebrow.

He had no idea that Phil knew Dream from way before, making Techno wonder just what kind of secrets this man hid behind that old smile. Techno decided to drop it, not wanting to press the topic further. "Whatever it is, at least the bird's okay. Thanks for the tea. I still need to continue organizing my chests. You're coming to have dinner later, right?"

"Yeah, of course. I'll see you later, then," Phil said as Techno was already up and putting on his cape. Silently disappearing into the snow, Phil sighed as he looked at the crow which was at the open window.

"If he does decide to go with Dream, there's going to be a lot of headaches for us in the future. Those two will be unstoppable but oh so troubled," he said to the crow, and it nodded along with Phil.

~

BEHOLD MY MEME SAGA BEGINS:

Chapter Text

Techno entered his house and headed straight to the bathroom, knowing a bath was more than necessary. He grabbed some clean clothes, hung his golden crown and red cape on the hook, and slowly undressed. As he soaked in the warm water, his mind wandered back and forth between Dream, the entire situation, and the day's events.

Techno sighed, soaking in the water for a few more minutes before getting out of the bath. He slowly put on his clean clothes and dried his pink hair. Grabbing the nearest hair tie, he pulled his hair into a ponytail and headed towards his basement. There were still many chests to organize, not to mention how Tommy would rummage through them and undo all his work.

Techno went to his chests and started pulling out everything one by one, searching first for any ore he could find.

He went back and forth, pulling items out, placing them in a pile, and then putting them back into the chests.

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Meanwhile, Dream made his way to Techno's house, carrying the small bird in his bag. He had traded it chicken in return to ensure Philza wouldn't learn about recent events - of course, Dream didn't trust the bird but if it was something of importance he would kill it. Dream placed Spirit in a nearby safe cave before sneaking towards Techno's house. As he stepped outside, Phil's birds circled in the sky. Cursing under his breath, Dream quickly headed to Techno's house instead.

Dream immediately ran towards the house, and as soon as he opened the door, he closed it just as fast to keep the birds out. In the familiar setting he had seen hours before, he noticed Techno's cape and crown on the hanger, confirming he was home. Although Dream would have preferred to leave quickly, he knew that just being in Techno's living room might raise suspicion. So, he decided to find Techno right away, suspecting he was probably in the basement, given that the man was restless even when at home.

Dream stepped into the basement, and as soon as he reached the stairs, he heard the familiar, deep voice counting.

Dream slowly approached Techno and leaned against the wall, surprised to notice that Techno didn't realize he was there. Techno was probably too immersed in what he was doing to register Dream's presence, which was alarming in itself since the voices usually warned him when someone was coming. It seemed the voices were unusually quiet about Dream being there, perhaps out of curiosity or because they knew Dream didn't come with ill intent.

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"Emerald, iron, gold, diamonds, Dream... Dream!" Techno exclaimed, looking Dream straight in the eyes. Surprise was an understatement; Techno was shocked to see Dream standing in front of him. Meanwhile, Dream looked amused, smirking behind his mask. Techno cleared his throat and put on his usual serious and stoic expression, masking his earlier surprise.

"What are you doing here?" Techno asked in his monotone voice.

Dream just chuckled in return. "I came here to return something to Phil," he said, as the bird in Dream's bag flew out and landed on Techno's shoulder.

Techno, already aware that the bird was most likely with Dream, raised an eyebrow. "And you couldn't just let it fly here?" he asked skeptically.

Dream sighed in return, looking at the bird. "I thought it was still unable to fly. Guess I was wrong," Dream said, before turning his gaze back to Techno.

"But anyway, since I'm here," Dream began, tossing a bag at Techno. "I visited the Nether, and I know you collect this for whatever reason and since I don't really need it I thought I might give it to someone who does."

Techno slowly opened the bag, his eyes widening as he saw its contents. It was gold.

Usually, Techno wouldn't feel a thing—it's just gold, after all. But.....it was a gift.... it was that season for piglins...... and it had to be Dream - someone who he doesn't hate to the bone. Techno's mind began quietly reeling, the voices growing louder and louder, his instincts kicking in.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Oppp

OMGOMGOMG DREAMY BOYY COMING IN CLUTCH

No!!!!!!!!SAY NO
SAY YES YES YES

Tf is happening?

pIGLIN stuff, ever read fanfiction?

Okay, let's be rational guys, only Phil knows about this so it's obvi not intentional. Why is everyone overreacting?

Bro too soon, where the character development at?

That's what I've been saiyin'! @IRLwilburtCanGoEatShit Dream has no clue on what's going on! The fanfic fanatics are just at it again

Now from the top, make it drop that's some-

WAMP WAMP

~~~~~~~~~~~

As Techno looked up from the bag of gold and met Dream's gaze, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. He found himself briefly speechless, his usually composed demeanor faltering for a moment. Techno's eyes widened slightly, and he found himself staring at Dream, the voices in his head so loud he couldn't even think about this situation in response to the unexpected sight before him.

Techno tried to stay calm and maintain his usual composure, but the voices in his head were growing louder, their excitement and confusion overwhelming. He felt his instincts as a piglin, which he always tried to keep hidden and under control, start to take over. Not to mention a lot of voices saying similar things so he-

"I... I don't know what to do," he said, his voice betraying his uncertainty. "Can I have some time to think about it?"

Dream was slightly confused at Techno's response but decided not to press the issue, not wanting to start a conflict with the dangerous warrior. He simply nodded, respecting Techno's request for time to think - even though he had no clue what.

okay, he might be thinking about going on good terms with me - that's good, Dream thought as he gave him a smile behind his mask

"Sure, take your time," Dream responded his voice casual but with a hint of curiosity. "I don't want to rush you or anything."

Dream who had no idea what Techno was really talking about and instead thought something else, played along with it.

As Dream turned and walked away, Techno's calm facade began to crack. The moment Dream's figure disappeared from view, a wave of mild panic swept over Techno. He was alone again, with the voices in his head roaring back to life, their agitation palpable.

Techno, still shaken and unable to calm the storm in his mind, made his way back to Phil’s house, his steps quick and determined. Without hesitation, he barged through the door, his heart pounding in his chest.

Inside, Phil was calmly feeding his birds, the soft chirping and rustling of feathers filling the room. As Techno entered, Phil looked up, startled by the sudden intrusion.

“Techno? What the—” Phil began, but his words trailed off as he noticed Nova, the bird he had been searching for, perched on his arm. The missing bird was safe, and Phil’s eyes widened in surprise, though relief quickly followed.

Techno, barely registering the significance of Nova’s return, was too consumed by the chaos in his mind. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself as he struggled to find the right words to explain his sudden appearance. “Phil... I need to talk,” he finally managed, his voice strained and tinged with urgency.

Nova quickly fluttered over to his usual feeding spot, joining the other birds in cheerful chattering. Phil, still holding a small handful of seeds, turned his attention back to Techno, noticing the unease written all over his face.

"Take a deep breath, Techno," Phil said gently, setting the seeds aside. "Sit down and start from the beginning. What happened?"

Techno hesitated for a moment, then followed Phil's advice, sinking into a chair. He took a shaky breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "Dream came by," Techno began, his voice still edged with tension. "He left, but... something about the way he looked at me, the way he spoke... I don’t know what it was, Phil, but it messed with my head."

Phil listened intently, nodding as Techno spoke. "And now the voices, the instincts... they're out of control. I couldn't think straight, and when he left, I—" Techno broke off, struggling to articulate the turmoil inside him. "I don't even know what to do with all of this," he admitted, looking up at Phil with a rare vulnerability.

"Okay, you're still going too fast," Phil said, his tone calm but firm. "Let's rewind. Dream came by—I'm assuming it was to return Nova. What happened then?"

Techno took another deep breath, trying to slow down his racing thoughts. "Yeah, he did. But that’s not all," Techno began, his voice steadier now. "He gave me a bag of gold, and when I looked up at him... something felt different. I don’t know how to explain it, but it threw me off. The voices... they went quiet for a moment, then came back louder than ever, but... confused."

He paused, glancing at Nova, who was now happily chattering with the other birds. "I tried to stay calm, but I couldn’t. I told Dream I needed time to think, and he just... left. And when he did, it all hit me at once. The panic, the voices... I couldn’t handle it, Phil."

Phil nodded, processing Techno’s words. "Alright," he said gently, "let's take this one step at a time. You did the right thing coming here."

Phil sighed, setting down the bowl of seeds completely and giving Techno a knowing look. "You already know what I'm going to say," he began, his tone gentle but firm. "The voices are too much right now, and you can’t think straight."

Techno remained silent, his eyes fixed on the floor as Phil continued.

"First off, you’re a piglin, Techno. Dream isn’t. He doesn’t understand the culture, the instincts, or what it means when it’s this time of year." Phil paused to make sure Techno was listening, then went on. "It’s mating season for piglins, and Dream probably has no clue about that. He might’ve just assumed you’d like the gold because, well, you’re a Piglin. To him, it was probably just a friendly gesture, nothing more.”

Phil watched Techno closely, hoping his words would help ease the tension. "You need to remember that Dream’s actions might not mean what you’re thinking they do. He doesn't know how this stuff affects you, especially not during this season."

Phil placed a reassuring hand on Techno's shoulder. "Now, just take a few deep breaths," he instructed calmly. "Remind yourself—and the voices—that these are just instincts. You’re in control. Go back to being you."

Techno nodded slightly, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing as Phil continued, "Once you’ve got a handle on things, we can talk, okay? I’ll go make us some tea."

With that, Phil stood up and headed to the kitchen, giving Techno the space he needed to regain his composure. The sound of the kettle filling and the clinking of cups offered a comforting backdrop as Techno worked to quiet the chaos within.

After a few long minutes, Techno managed to calm himself down. He let out a deep sigh and rubbed his face with his hands, the tension slowly draining from his body. As the clarity returned, the absurdity of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks. He facepalmed, realizing that once again, the voices had won—but this time, for the stupidest and most hilarious reason imaginable.

Mentally cursing himself, Techno couldn’t believe he had even gone there with his thoughts about Dream’s gesture. The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed. Dream, of all people, trying to initiate something like that? Techno felt a wave of nausea roll over him, almost ready to puke at the thought.

He shook his head, disgusted with himself for letting his instincts and the voices twist something so innocent - but knowing Dream not that innocent.

Phil returned to the room, carrying two steaming cups of tea. He set one down in front of Techno before taking a seat across from him. Noticing Techno’s slightly flushed face and the way he was pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration, Phil couldn’t help but crack a small smile.

"Now," Phil began, his tone light but understanding, "let’s talk about this more rationally and… not from that point of view."

Techno groaned, his hand still on his face as he muttered, "Yeah, let’s not go there again."
Phil chuckled softly, handing Techno the cup of tea. "Exactly. Let’s just focus on what really happened and figure out what to do next."

"First off," Phil started, taking a sip of his tea, "he returned Nova unharmed, just like we thought. Nova isn't really willing to talk about where he was, other than that he was with Dream. I don’t know why, but I don’t believe it’s anything horrible."

Techno nodded, still feeling the lingering embarrassment but focusing on the facts. "Yeah, that’s something at least," he muttered, grateful that Nova was back safely.
Phil leaned back in his chair, eyes thoughtful. "Dream bringing Nova back like this, unharmed... it doesn't seem like the kind of thing he'd do if he had any ill intentions. There’s something more to it, but it doesn’t feel sinister."

Techno nodded, letting the words sink in, realizing that, as bizarre as Dream's actions were, they didn’t seem to carry any immediate threat.

"And now, about him giving you that gift," Phil continued, his gaze steady as he looked at Techno. "I think my initial theory was correct—Dream wants you on his side. Although, I'll admit, he got a bit more forward this time."

Techno grimaced, the memory of the gold exchange still fresh and awkward in his mind. "Yeah, you could say that," he replied, shaking his head. "But why now? And why like that?"

Phil shrugged slightly, sipping his tea. "Maybe he’s running out of options or feels like he’s up against a wall. Whatever the reason, it’s clear he’s making a more aggressive move to secure your loyalty. The way he went about it, though... definitely not what either of us expected."
Techno sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"No kidding. It’s like he’s trying to play nice, but he doesn’t fully understand how to do it without being, well, Dream."

Phil chuckled softly. "Exactly. But now that you know what he’s after, you can decide how you want to respond—without the voices clouding your judgment."

Techno looked at Phil, narrowing his eyes in thought. "I don’t know yet," he admitted, his voice laced with uncertainty. "We both know that L’Manburg isn’t taking me lightly, and having Dream by my side could significantly—if not completely—change the way things play out. And we do share the same goals... but it’s Dream. I’m not sure how much I want to get involved with him."
Phil nodded, understanding the weight of Techno's dilemma.

"Yeah, that’s the tricky part, isn’t it? Dream can be an asset, but he’s also unpredictable. Aligning with him could make you stronger, but it could also drag you into a mess that’s hard to get out of."

Techno sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Exactly. It’s not just about what he can offer—it's about what it might cost in the long run."

Phil set his cup down, meeting Techno’s gaze. "Take your time to think it over. Whatever choice you make, make sure it’s the one you can live with. And remember, you don’t have to decide right away."

Techno stood up, giving Phil a grateful nod. "Thanks for the talk and the tea, Phil. I need to head back to my place and think things through."

Phil nodded, offering a reassuring smile. "Take care, Techno. If you need anything, you know where to find me."

With that, Techno left Phil’s house and made his way back to his own.

Techno returned to his basement, his mind still buzzing with thoughts and uncertainties. He glanced at the bag of gold Dream had given him, its presence a stark reminder of the earlier tension. Without much thought, he tucked it away in a separate, hidden compartment of the basement—a place distinct from where he usually stored his gold. It was a secret spot, reserved for things he needed to keep out of immediate sight.

With the gold securely hidden, Techno turned his attention back to his business, the day's events lingering in the back of his mind but set aside for now.

Chapter Text

Dream, after leaving Techno's house, returned to the cave where he had left Spirit. He gave the mare a quick pat, undoing her reins before hoisting his bag onto her back, then climbing up himself. With a gentle nudge, they set off toward the Pale Garden biome, his current place of residence.

On the journey, Dream couldn't help but scoff at the absurdity of it all. Who would have thought that he, one of the co-owners of this godforsaken server, would end up living in the Pale Garden biome? It wasn't a bad place—quite the opposite. The biome was dangerous because of its constant creaking and shifting terrain, but once you understood how to navigate it, it was practically a sanctuary. No mobs spawned there, and its eerie stillness offered solitude. Yet Dream hated it.

The Pale Garden was a cruel reminder. A reminder of why he had to live there in the first place. He'd been forced to abandon his home in the Dark Forest because George, Sapnap, and Bad had discovered its location. A bitter reminder of how he had misjudged them, of the critical error he made in trusting those who ultimately betrayed him.

He wasn't dumb. He planned, he schemed—he was a strategist. Dream prided himself on that; it was what made him strong, resilient. Yet he'd let people like them sway him. He'd let them into his home, even shared some of his witchcraft tricks and books with them. That was the part that stung the most.

First, there was Sapnap. You'd think you could trust someone like him. He'd stormed into Dream's life, angry and resentful after Tommy had stolen his pet fish. Sapnap dragged Dream into some pointless little war over it, a battle that accomplished nothing but draining resources and wasting time. And Dream went along with it—because Sapnap was his friend. And friends supported each other, even in their stupidity, even in their mistakes, even in their moments of misjudgment.

Then George. Ironically, it was a similar situation. Tommy burned down George's house, and George came running to Dream, complaining and begging for retribution. So, Dream punished Tommy. He exiled him, even though Dream hadn't been involved in the situation at all. Even though Dream couldn't have cared less about some silly prank—it was only wood, after all. But he helped. Because that's what friends do.

He didn't even want to think about Bad. Dream had always known Skeppy was practically Bad's boyfriend; that wasn't exactly a secret. Yet after all the times Dream had helped both of them, Bad still chose Skeppy over him. And why? Because Skeppy decided to side with Tommy.

"To fucking hell with all of them," Dream muttered under his breath, frustration sharp in his tone. Spirit let out a heavy blow in response, almost as if agreeing with him. Dream sighed and refocused on the path ahead, willing the memories to stay behind him where they belonged.

Yet he couldn't stop thinking about it. The thoughts consumed him, gnawing at the edges of his mind no matter how hard he tried to push them away. He had spent days isolated from everything and everyone, even consulting XD about it—wondering if, perhaps, he was the one in the wrong. Maybe the fault lay with him.

But XD had said it best: "Even if you are wrong, they should have supported you—like you supported them."

And gods, did that make it worse. Because now Dream knew the truth—they weren't friends. So what did that make them? Foes? Enemies? Rivals?

Could people who had been part of his life for years—people he had trusted, fought for, even cared for—turn out to be the ones he'd have to kill? The ones he'd need to discipline, like Tommy?

Could he live with the fact that he might have to hunt down people he once called friends?

Dream shook his head, trying once more to focus on the road ahead. The light was fading, shadows growing longer as night crept closer. He needed to get to the Pale Garden before darkness fully claimed the landscape. So why wouldn't his mind quiet? Why couldn't these relentless thoughts just shut up?

Maybe that was why he had started seeking out Techno. At first, it had all been part of a scheme. When Tommy began plotting his return with Tubbo, Dream saw an opportunity—a chance to secure a powerful ally, one strong enough to count as an army on his side. Naturally, he began to plant seeds, dropping hints or outright telling Techno that the kid was playing him. Slowly but surely, he worked to build trust, all so he could exploit Techno later.

Dream knew Techno would eventually go after L'Manburg; the Butcher Army had all but guaranteed that. He didn't even have to pretend to be a loyal friend for it to happen. But the fact that Techno—the mighty Blood God—had been betrayed by someone he considered a brother... maybe that's why Dream had been acting so recklessly lately.

That damn piglin hybrid and his stupid sob stories were messing with his head. They were making him do things he'd never have considered before—bringing gifts, returning items, even sparing stupid birds he would've otherwise killed without hesitation. Gods, he was losing his mind.

Still, being soft—being emotionally connected—was what got him into this mess in the first place. It was what led to his downfall, what forced him to scheme against everyone he once cared about. He knew better now. No amount of sob stories, no amount of those haunting red eyes or that smug piglin grin, would derail his plans.

Besides, none of what he'd done with Techno was necessarily bad. Unnecessary? Maybe. But calculated. Every little act of generosity was just another thread tying Techno closer to his side. It would all pay off in the long run. Dream was sure of it.

He was going to make Techno an ally. If pretending to be a friend—or worse, a brother—was what it took to see his plan through, to see the destruction of L'Manburg and everything it stood for, then so be it. Dream gagged at the thought of calling Techno a "brother," but if that's what it came down to? He'd swallow his pride.

Because this wasn't just about power. No, it was about respect.

Dream could admit his flaws—he wasn't blind to them. He could be power-hungry at times, sure. So sue him. He was a co-owner of this server, one of its top players. Of course he had an ego, and of course, people trying to tear it down only fueled his rage. But he wasn't stupid. He wasn't the type to start wars or split the community in half over pride. No, this mess started when L'Manburg stopped being a joke and turned into a real government. When people began picking sides and drawing lines. It was doomed from the start—a recipe for disaster.

Dream couldn't let his server turn into a battleground for people to claim territory and establish their own systems. That wasn't what this place was supposed to be. XD hadn't created it for that. This was supposed to be his heaven, his paradise, where he could share the burdens of being in the spotlight with others like him. A place where they could just be. But it had all gone wrong.

Nobody respected him anymore. Hell, nobody respected anybody on this damned server. If they had, there'd be fear. There'd be caution. People wouldn't act so recklessly, so stupidly. They wouldn't mess with him, with Techno, with Punz, or with any of the other good players on this server.

But instead, it had all spiraled into chaos because of a kid and his friends. A complete and utter shit show.

Now that he thought about it, what if he and Techno did actually become friends? Would Tommy come running after his head? Dream could only pray that would be the case—just so he'd have an excuse to kill him on the spot. Would Tommy finally grow some fear then? Would he finally manage to develop a single brain cell in that empty skull of his? The thought made Dream laugh.

Either way, Techno had said he needed time to think about the offer—which was understandable. Dream would also be cautious and on edge if their roles were reversed. Trust wasn't exactly easy to come by between two people like them.

Although, now that Dream thought about it, Techno had been acting way too awkward after receiving that gift. Had Dream messed it up? Was it rude to assume that, just because Techno was a piglin hybrid, he'd like gold? Maybe it had come off as offensive. Either way, Techno was far more awkward and weird than usual during their last interaction.

But Dream wasn't about to pry. He didn't care what was going on in Techno's head—he only cared about the result. Whatever internal conflict Techno was battling, as long as it ended with him on Dream's side, it didn't matter.

Spirit suddenly stopped in her tracks and let out a huff. Dream blinked, looking around, and realized they were already at the entrance to the Pale Garden. Was he really so lost in his own head that the long journey had felt like mere minutes? He scoffed to himself, shaking his head.

Sliding off Spirit's back, he took her reins and led her into the eerie stillness of the biome. The forest was unnervingly quiet, save for the occasional groan of the ancient trees swaying in the wind. Dream reached under his shirt, pulling out the necklace he always kept hidden. In its center was a heart—the beating, creaking heart of a creature he once thought impossible to harness.

The necklace wasn't entirely his original design. He'd taken inspiration from Techno's Nether necklace, which prevented Nether mobs from attacking. The practicality of it had fascinated Dream, leading him to research it thoroughly. The result was the piece he now wore—a talisman that made him invisible to the Creakings.

Killing Creakings had always been tedious in Dream's opinion. You couldn't take them down with sheer force; their hearts had to be destroyed to truly defeat them. And even then, they were oddly useful creatures—formidable, unkillable by standard means, and deadly to foes. Instead of destroying them, Dream had invented the necklace to keep them at bay. It allowed him to live in a biome devoid of other mobs while keeping the Creakings as inadvertent bodyguards. A win-win, in his mind.

Yet as he stepped deeper into the forest, following the lantern-lit path he'd carefully constructed, he couldn't help but detest it all.

The cabin came into view, a small structure nestled within the heart of the biome. Dream led Spirit to her stable, giving her a pat before heading inside. Once in the house, he began unloading his gear: his sword, axe, and armor were placed neatly on the rack, while his bag—filled with books, potions, and golden apples—was dropped on the table.

Without hesitation, he moved to the basement. This was the one part of the house that truly felt like home. The space was packed with ritual books, potion ingredients, and artifacts of witchcraft. It was where Dream felt at ease, where the weight of the outside world couldn't touch him.

He softly closed the door behind him, pausing as his gaze fell on the brown-and-white cat curled up on the windowsill. For a brief moment, a flicker of calm washed over him, grounding him in the silence of his sanctuary.

A black crow perched on the windowsill, its sharp eyes locked onto the cat. It let out a low chirp, almost impatient. The cat, as if understanding the silent call, stood and padded to the window. With deliberate movements, it lifted a paw and nudged the latch open, pushing the window ajar just enough for the crow to hop inside.

The cat leapt gracefully onto the kitchen counter, watching with quiet detachment as the crow fluttered down to the edge of the fireplace.

For a moment, it seemed like they were... talking. Not in any audible way, but their movements—the way the crow tilted its head and the cat's tail flicked in response—carried a strange rhythm. A subtle exchange.

But that was ridiculous. Animals couldn't talk to each other. At least, not real server animals.

Meanwhile, in the basement, Dream set his mask down on the small armchair tucked into the corner of the room. The space was lined with bookshelves, each packed with tomes of varying age and wear. A desk stood against one wall, its surface cluttered with scattered papers, a glowing green crystal ball, and an assortment of tools and notes. Around the room, various plants thrived in pots, their leaves brushing against ancient ornaments and relics that looked as if they'd been plucked straight from a museum exhibit.

"Now, where did I leave off?" Dream muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the coffee table in the center of the room. It was a chaotic mess—books stacked haphazardly, some left open, others closed, with loose pages spilling across its surface.

After a moment of rifling through the clutter, he located a particular piece of parchment and carried it to the desk. Grabbing a pen, he settled into the chair and placed a small ruby beside him on the desk. The gemstone caught the dim light, its deep red hue gleaming faintly.

Dream leaned forward, his focus sharpening as he began jotting down notes onto a fresh piece of parchment. The scratch of his pen filled the room, blending with the faint hum of the crystal ball. Whatever he was working on, it required precision, patience, and the kind of dedication Dream excelled at.

Chapter Text

After what felt like an eternity of sorting through his endless chests, Techno finally finished. Two hours of organizing, and he knew he could've been done in half the time if he'd just focused. But, of course, the voices and his racing thoughts had other plans.

Everything that happened today felt like a month's worth of drama crammed into a single afternoon. First, Tommy showed up with Tubbo. Then, out of nowhere, Dream returned his necklace—and gave him a bag of gold? Techno could write a soap opera at this point, complete with plot twists and unnecessary monologues.

Sighing, Techno leaned back against the wall of his basement. He'd already sent one of Phil's crows to cancel dinner, letting Phil know he wasn't up for being even remotely social tonight. Honestly, he didn't have the energy to cook, much less sit at a dinner table looking halfway presentable. If Phil really wanted dinner, he could come over and figure it out himself—Techno wasn't in the mood.

Before turning off the basement lights, his eyes flicked to the hidden compartment in the corner. Inside sat Dream's bag of gold, untouched. He scowled at the sight of it. Why the hell am I keeping this? His mind immediately offered no reasonable explanation, just the nagging thought that he'd forget about it in a few days anyway. Huffing, he shut the compartment and flicked off the lights, heading upstairs.

In the kitchen, he walked straight through to his bedroom. Without a second thought, he went to his closet and began undressing. The gold earrings were the first to go, his pointed ears twitching slightly at the absence of their weight. He quickly changed into his pajamas and sloppily tied back his long pink hair in a loose braid that, frankly, wasn't his best work. It didn't matter—he wasn't trying to impress anyone.

Techno collapsed onto his bed with a groan, pulling the blanket over him and closing his eyes.

Two minutes passed.

His mind betrayed him almost immediately, dragging him back to the day's events. He thought about Tommy—about how he'd let the kid into his home, fed him, gave him shelter. Tommy had shown up on his doorstep, desperate, and Techno had taken him in. The smart thing to do would've been to chase him out then and there. But no, he hadn't done that.

Tommy was like a little brother to him, one he'd known since he was just a toddler. Techno had protected him before the kid could even walk. Maybe that was why, even when he knew Tommy would never fully betray Tubbo, he still kept him close. He hoped, deep down, that Tommy might at least show some gratitude, maybe assure him that L'Manberg wouldn't come after him. But no. Instead, Tommy acted like the government was his family—not Techno.

The thought made Techno's chest burn with resentment. At times like this, he almost felt like apologizing to Dream for all the insults, the threats, the intimidation over Tommy's exile. Dream had been right, after all. If Tommy ever came knocking again, Techno wouldn't hesitate. He'd kill him on the spot. Not even Phil could talk him out of it. One betrayal was enough. Two? He wasn't about to let it happen a third time.

Thirty minutes passed.

Techno's thoughts shifted to the others. Who could he even trust anymore? Tommy, Tubbo, Quackity, Ranboo—no, they were all out of the question. He liked Ranboo well enough, but the kid was part of the Butcher Army, and that group wanted him dead. Awesamdude? Barely knew the guy, but he didn't seem friendly. Fundy, Ponk, George, Purpled, Sapnap, Bad, Connor—they were all tied to Dream or L'Manberg in some way.

And Skeppy? Sure, they were friends outside the server, but Skeppy was with Bad here. If Bad decided Techno needed to go, Skeppy would probably say "sorry" and swing the axe himself. The only people left who seemed even remotely trustworthy were Niki and Puffy, and even that was a gamble.

Point being? Phil was the only person on this server who shared his views. Everyone else? Too shady to risk.

An hour and a half passed.

Techno shot up in bed, groaning as his thoughts circled back to Dream. Thinking about trust had somehow led him to that guy. What was Dream even playing at? First returning the necklace, then the gold. Was it guilt? Manipulation? An actual attempt at peace? The voices in Techno's head were no help, throwing in their usual chaotic suggestions.

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his messy braid. "This is why I don't deal with people," he muttered. But no matter how hard he tried, his thoughts wouldn't leave Dream alone.

The voices in his head were, as expected, of no help.

I say Dream's not to be trusted. He's looking for trouble, and we promised not to get involved with L'Manberg again.

                         True, but we swore to get revenge on those who betrayed us. That's Tommy—and he's with L'Manberg! Plus the Butcher Army. We should strike before they even get the chance to react!

                                                   Yeah, so we need Dream! If we get him on our side, the whole server's in our hands, guys—think about the pros. Two strongest players? We're at the top, baby!

You are... my fiiiire... The one...

                 DESIREEEEE!

I like kids.

Yeah, they definitely weren't helpful here. Some voices, maybe. Others... raised serious concern.

Techno decided it was time to weigh his options properly. He got up from his bed, went to his desk, and lit a lantern. Placing it on the windowsill, he grabbed a piece of parchment and began writing a list: Pros and Cons of Having Dream as an Ally.

He wrote everything down meticulously, from Dream's skill and influence to his unpredictability and the baggage he carried. Yet, even with the list staring back at him, he couldn't make up his mind. Every time he thought "no," a part of him screamed "yes." When he leaned toward "yes," another part shouted "no." The voices weren't helping either, making it impossible to think clearly. The more time he spent dwelling on it, the less it felt like he was using logic—he was relying on instinct, and instinct wasn't always the best strategist.

But one thing was certain: L'Manberg, the Butcher Army, and anyone who stood with them were his targets. Revenge was non-negotiable. So, the most strategic decision was clear—Dream would be an ally.

Dream wanted L'Manberg gone just as much as he did, maybe even more. That shared goal was reason enough to work together. If friendship somehow blossomed from this... then it did. But for now, he'd tread carefully. No expectations. This was a partnership, nothing more—at least, not yet.

Techno crumpled the parchment in frustration and chucked it into the wooden bin in the corner of the room. He let out a long sigh. There was no point in worrying about this any longer—the more he dwelled on it, the more frustrated he’d get. And tomorrow was already packed with plans.

He needed to train in the morning, head to the Nether to gather resources, harvest more sugarcane for paper to make enchanted books, sharpen his weapons, and—on top of everything—figure out a dinner plan since he bailed on tonight's.

"Yeah, tomorrow-me can deal with all this crap," Techno muttered under his breath as he turned off the lantern and headed back to his bed. He plopped down, pulled the blanket over his head, and closed his eyes. If the voices didn’t shut up soon, he’d just count all the ways he’d make L’Manberg regret ever crossing him. That thought alone brought a small, grim smile to his face as sleep finally began to take over.

Just as Techno drifted into the sweet embrace of sleep, a shadow moved outside Phil’s open window. A black crow, marked with a distinct scar across its stomach, silently took flight into the night. Its wings cut through the crisp air with precision as it headed East—straight in the direction of the Pale Garden.

The bird flew with purpose, its path unwavering, and from the looks of it, this little messenger hadn’t informed anyone of its mission—or who sent it.

Chapter Text

The next morning, around 6 AM, Techno begrudgingly woke up.

He had big plans today. Originally, he was supposed to head into the Nether with Phil to hunt down more netherite. The only problem? Most of the easy pickings were long gone. The only real way to find any now was through days—maybe weeks—of exploring. But that wasn't what this mission was really about.

No, Techno had a system in mind. He'd been planning to chart coordinates of already-explored locations in a book, tracking patterns and figuring out which direction held the best odds of finding untouched fortresses. Then, using basic math, he could estimate the distance of potential unexplored ones. It'd take days to document them all—but still way better than wandering aimlessly for months.

And with everything going on with Dream lately... Well, Techno figured it was smarter to be a little cautious. For all he knew, Dream could be tailing them or worse—showing up when no one was home.

Funny thought now, though. Since Techno had decided he'd at least try to befriend Dream—ugh, the word still felt weird to think about—he probably shouldn't be so tense about the idea of him tagging along anymore.

Anyway.

Techno rolled out of bed and went straight for the closet. He threw on a loose, long-sleeved shirt with puffed sleeves and a ruffled collar, a dark maroon cummerbund tied at the waist, black trousers, and his usual black-and-gold boots. Topped with his signature crown, his cape, and a fresh braid down his pink hair—it was classic Techno. Though once he was in full armor, it was hard to tell what he wore underneath anyway.

After gearing up, he headed downstairs to grab his supplies and check if Phil was ready to move out. He could go alone—he'd done it plenty—but it was still nicer having someone around. Meant he didn't have to rely on the voices for company.

Once he was done in the basement, he made his way over to Phil's door, knocking gently. No response. Immediately, worst-case scenarios started flooding in, and Techno didn't wait—he pushed the door open and rushed in.

He found a note waiting on the table.

"Sorry, Techno. Can we raincheck? Tommy called me—he's distressed. Something happened. He's still my son, and if it's serious, I don't want to live with the guilt of ignoring it. —Phil"

Techno stared at it for a moment before scoffing. Of course Tommy had to ruin another thing this week. He was getting dangerously close to hunting that kid down.

Still... he understood Phil, at least to a degree. Tommy was his son, after all. And Phil had done plenty for Techno even though they weren't related. But if Techno ever ended up a father? Yeah, he'd be soft, sure, but he'd also teach his kid one thing: once you build up trust, you don't get to break it and then still expect people to have your back afterward.

Then again, what did Techno know about parenting? Not much. He was just venting to himself at this point. Who knows—maybe one day he'd end up just like Phil.

He stopped his train of thought there. This was getting weird.

Right now, he needed to figure out what to do. Going alone was still an option, but spending that much time with nothing but the voices after yesterday? Not exactly appealing. He could push the trip back for later and finish some chores in the meantime—maybe Phil would be back by then.

Techno ended up settling on the second option. He'd haul the food barrels into storage first, see if anything else needed doing... then decide from there. But first—he should probably eat. With Phil not around to remind him, it was on him to take care of that.

 _______________________________________________________________________________

Dream slowly stirred awake as the cat nudged his cheek. Blinking the sleep out of his eyes, he realized he'd passed out in the apartment workspace again—another late night spent working on a new relic. He let out a sigh as he straightened up and stretched.

"Today's gonna be a pain in the ass... but perfection waits for no man," he muttered to himself, yawning as he stood.

He headed upstairs to his bedroom, swapping into his usual outfit: green hoodie, black trousers, and black boots. He picked up his mask and slipped it on. "What should I even do first..." he muttered, thinking aloud. "I could visit L'Manburg, maybe check in on what they're up to. Could ask Punz if he's gathered any decent intel. And... ugh, I also have to visit the pig at some point."

Dream groaned as he grabbed his armor, sword, and a well-stocked bag filled with food, potions, and various trinkets.

"I'll just go see him now. Get it out of the way early," he said, making his way to the kitchen. He grabbed a freshly cooked fish from the counter and dropped it into the cat's bowl before snatching an apple for himself.

He opened the front door and headed out to feed Spirit, gently patting her side once she was done. "Eat fast, girl. We've got a long day ahead," he said softly before grabbing her saddle and reins, putting them on with practiced, careful movements.

Once she was ready, he led her out of the stables, climbed onto her back, and muttered with zero enthusiasm—

"To the piglin."

_______________________________________________________________________________

Techno was outside, and surprisingly, it wasn't snowing.

In the Arctic, snow was basically a personality trait—it came down daily, sometimes in brutal storms, and on better days, just a light dusting. But today? Clear skies. Cold as ever, but clear. No wind, no flurries, just silence and chill air. A rare kind of peaceful.

He was in the middle of moving barrels from the stables to the storage building. Carrots, pumpkins, potatoes—classic farm stuff. And there were a lot of them. Techno might've been built like a Greek god, and stronger than any other player on the server, but he still only had two hands. That meant trips. Lots of them. He could handle it, but it wasn't exciting work. Mind-numbing, honestly. The kind of task that let your thoughts creep in when you didn't want them to.

Which is exactly why he froze when he saw movement in the distance.

Someone was approaching. Slow and steady. It only took a second for Techno to recognize that familiar combo of green hoodie, dark armor, and the plain, unsettling white smiley face mask.

Dream.

Not unexpected, exactly. Techno had been anticipating this. Ever since he decided that maybe—maybe—they could work together, he knew Dream would show up sooner or later. He just hadn't expected him to show up at the crack of dawn while he was mid-barrel-haul. Not exactly the moment he wanted to have a serious conversation.

And yet, there he was, standing frozen with two barrels in his arms, staring blankly at the guy like an idiot.

What was he even supposed to do?

Say hi? Act casual? Make a speech? Be cold and distant? Friendly? Should he bring up the idea of teaming up right away? Pretend like this was just a visit?

...Kneel?

That one actually made him snort to himself. Yeah, no.

With no better ideas, he defaulted to what he always did when he didn't have a plan: follow instinct.

"Dream. Hello. What brings you here today?" he said, voice steady and flat.

Dream stepped closer, arms at his sides, posture relaxed as always. "Can't I visit?" he replied with a hint of a smirk. "Just wanted to see what you were up to. I'm sure you'd do the same."

Techno glanced down at the barrels still in his hands. "As you can see, I've got my hands full," he said, tone dry but calm. He didn't move, didn't go back to work—just stood there, still watching.

Dream's eyes flicked around the area, clearly scanning for something. "Phil not helping?"

Techno's jaw ticked, and his expression fell slightly. "No. He's in L'Manburg. Tommy called. Apparently he was 'distressed.'" The last word came out bitter.

"Of course," Dream said, voice laced with sarcasm. "The moment things stop going his way, the child calls his dad to clean up the mess."

"Yup. Every single time," Techno replied, his tone low. "I get that Phil's his father, I do. But sometimes I just wish he'd let the kid figure it out on his own."

"He needs to learn," Dream said simply. "He made the bed. Time to lie in it."

Techno's gaze sharpened as he looked at Dream. "I'm sure he'll get what's coming to him."

There was a pause. Brief, but telling.

Dream smiled under the mask. Message received.

"Of course," he echoed. Then, without missing a beat, he stepped toward the pile of barrels, grabbed one, and lifted it like it was weightless. "Let me help. Otherwise you'll be out here 'til lunch."

Techno blinked. "Didn't think manual labor was your thing."

Dream gave a one-shouldered shrug. "I pick my moments."

Techno didn't smile, but his stance relaxed, just a little. Maybe this day wasn't starting as bad as he thought.

They walked side by side, each carrying a barrel. The snow crunched under their boots as they made their way from the stables to the storage room, a silence stretching for a moment too long before Dream broke it.

"So," he started casually, "do you always carry around barrels like some kind of potato-delivering cryptid, or is today special?"

Techno huffed through his nose. "They don't carry themselves. I was planning to do this yesterday, but the universe said, 'No.'"

Dream let out a quiet laugh. "Yeah, the universe tends to do that when Tommy's involved."

"Mm," Techno grunted. "He's like a walking inconvenience wrapped in teenage angst."

Dream smirked behind his mask. "You'd think after everything, Phil would stop jumping the moment the kid calls."

"I know," Techno muttered. "I get it, really. It's his son. Blood and all that. But sometimes I wonder how far that excuse stretches."

Dream shifted the box in his arms. "Far enough to ignore betrayals, apparently."

"Too far, if you ask me," Techno said, voice low. "If it were me... I'd make him earn back trust with more than just a sob story."

"Same," Dream replied. "But hey, not everyone can be stone-hearted war criminals."

"That's the dream," Techno deadpanned.

Dream snorted. "Pun intended?"

"No," Techno said, then paused. "...But I'll take credit anyway."

The two reached the storage building and carefully placed the barrels down. Dream glanced around the room, nodding slightly in approval at the neat rows of supplies. "You're way more organized than I expected."

"I have to be," Techno replied, grabbing another barrel. "Survival takes planning. Especially now."

Dream picked up a box of carrots this time. "So," he began again, "are we going to talk about it?"

Techno raised an eyebrow. "Talk about what?"

"About us," Dream said plainly, as if the word didn't carry a mountain of weight behind it. "This... ally thing. Partnership. Whatever we're calling it."

Techno paused for a second before walking again. "I thought we already were talking about it. Just with less direct wording."

Dream tilted his head. "Fair enough. But I'd still like to hear you say it."

Techno sighed. "Fine. I've decided to... tolerate you."

Dream chuckled. "Wow, be still my heart."

"I mean it," Techno said. "I've been thinking. The server's stacked against people like us—people who think for themselves. Tommy, Tubbo, Quackity... they've all got their little armies and councils and moral high grounds. Meanwhile, we're the 'villains.'"

"We're just the ones who didn't play by their rules," Dream muttered.

"Exactly," Techno said. "So yeah, maybe it's better to be on the same side. No one else is going to give us the benefit of the doubt."

Dream was quiet for a moment. Then he asked, "And you're not worried? About trusting me?"

"Worried?" Techno echoed. "Yeah, of course I am. You're... you. You've got plans inside of plans, and that mask makes you hard to read."

Dream said nothing.

"But," Techno continued, "I also know you hate L'Manburg as much as I do. And if your goal is to burn it all down, I'm not going to stop you."

Dream let out a breath, half a sigh and half a laugh. "You've changed, Techno."

"No," Techno replied. "I've just stopped pretending like anyone else will."

They dropped off the next barrels, and Dream leaned against the wall for a second, catching his breath—not from the weight, but from the intensity of the conversation.

"You ever think this server's just one big loop?" Dream asked. "Same people. Same fights. Same betrayals."

"All the time," Techno said, wiping his hands on his pants. "But loops can be broken."

"By us?" Dream questioned.

"Who else?" Techno replied, voice flat and certain.

There was a silence again, but this time, it wasn't uncomfortable. It was more like a pause between steps.

Then Dream pushed off the wall. "Well, guess we've got more boxes to move. Might as well get used to teamwork."

Techno snorted. "Let's just see if you can stack them properly first, partner."

Dream grinned behind the mask. "Bet I'm better at it than you."

"Oh yeah?" Techno challenged. "You ever organized a potato barrel in your life?"

"I've organized revolutions."

"Close enough," Techno said, grabbing the next box.

And with that, they continued moving boxes—two walking contradictions carrying the weight of a thousand grudges and a shared goal. For now, it worked.

________________________________________________________________________________

They stacked the last barrel in the corner of the storage room, the wooden thud echoing slightly in the otherwise quiet space. Techno dusted his hands off, then stood there for a second, arms crossed, eyes scanning the perfectly lined-up crates.

"All done," Dream said, exhaling and cracking his knuckles. "Not bad. You should hire me."

Techno side-eyed him. "You'd rob me by the end of the week."

Dream shrugged with a smug tilt to his voice. "Occupational hazard."

Techno didn't respond. He stepped toward the open doorway, peering out into the snowless horizon. Still no sign of Phil.

It's been hours now, he thought, eyes narrowing slightly. He said he was just checking on Tommy, not... disappearing off the face of the earth. He didn't want to assume anything bad, but knowing Tommy, knowing L'Manburg, it was never just "checking in." Techno didn't like it. He hated feeling like the only one still taking things seriously.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed again as Dream came to stand beside him.

He glanced sideways. Dream was silent for once, just calmly watching the horizon like he had all the time in the world. No smug comments. No manipulation. Just... still.

Techno clicked his tongue. He hadn't expected Dream to show up today, and he definitely hadn't expected him to stick around and help. But now, with Phil missing in action and the Nether trip still hanging over his head, there was a real decision to make.

Do I go alone? he thought, frowning. The voices weren't exactly in the best shape after yesterday, and going in solo was a gamble, no matter how strong he was. And Phil might not even come back today.

He looked at Dream again, studying him. A bastard. A manipulator. A liar. But also a strategist. A fighter. A man who could actually hold his own, who hated L'Manburg with every fiber of his being.

It's risky... but also efficient. He's not Phil. He's not even a friend, not yet. But if I'm treating this as a partnership, then I might as well start acting like it.

Techno pushed himself off the doorframe.

"Hey."

Dream turned to him. "What?"

"I was supposed to go to the Nether today. With Phil. But clearly, he had other plans."

Dream raised an eyebrow behind the mask. "Let me guess. Tommy?"

Techno nodded. "Yeah. So I've got a choice. I either delay the trip and waste a whole day of prep... or take someone else."

There was a beat.

Dream tilted his head. "You asking me to come?"

Techno gave a sharp nod. "You said it yourself, teamwork. You strong enough to handle some lava and lava-resistant pig bastards?"

Dream chuckled. "Please. I've been fighting blazes since before Tommy knew how to make a flint and steel."

"Then you're in," Techno said, already turning back inside. "But don't get comfortable. This is still a test."

"I'd be disappointed if it wasn't," Dream said, following with that too-casual swagger in his step.

"And if you betray me," Techno added, tone dry as dust, "I'll drop you into lava without blinking."

Dream's voice was light, but laced with amusement. "Fair enough. I'd do the same."

Techno smirked faintly. "Then we understand each other."

And just like that, the duo was set. The rival pair, off to the Nether. One hell of a strange alliance—but maybe, just maybe, it would work.

________________________________________________________________________________

The two walked side by side through the snowless clearing, heading toward the obsidian-framed Nether portal nestled behind a curtain of pine trees. The soft crunch of boots against packed earth was the only sound for a while, save for the occasional jingle of gear and the wind brushing past.

Dream had been talking for the past five minutes—something about blaze spawn rates in certain biomes and how he tracked fortress placement patterns. His voice was animated, a rare trait when he wasn't scheming. He used his hands a lot when he talked, even with armor on, gesturing like he was lecturing a room full of scholars.

Techno kept walking, nodding here and there, but his focus was slipping.

The voices had started again.

– He talks too much. Just slit his throat already.
– We need him. Don't be stupid.
– What if this is all part of his plan? He leads us to a trap. He's done it before.
– But he's smart. We need smart. We need strong.
– Betray him first. Show him we don't play games.
– No. Keep your blade sheathed. For now.
– I like him. He's funny.
– He's dangerous—dangerously charming. Kill him just to be safe.
– I like his voice. Sounds like deception.
– Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.

Techno clenched his jaw, breath visible in the cold air. He didn't miss a step, didn't falter, but the war inside his head made it feel like he was walking through water.

He glanced at Dream, who was still talking, now moving onto how striders could be useful for lava lake navigation if they weren't so "goddamn ugly."

"—like, I get it. Nature's trying its best, but why do they look like someone melted a cow and gave it depression?" Dream huffed.

Techno huffed something close to a laugh through his nose.

"True," he muttered, voice low. "They look like boiled rats."

Dream grinned under his mask and kept talking, clearly enjoying himself way too much.

– He's disarming you. That's the trick. Makes you laugh so you lower your sword.
– Don't laugh. Don't trust. Don't blink.
– But if he wanted to kill us, he'd have done it already.
– Unless he's waiting for the right moment. He's a predator, remember? They wait.
– Shut. Up.

Techno exhaled slowly, adjusting his grip on his axe.

He focused on the portal coming into view. The frame hummed softly, purple light flickering like a heartbeat.

They reached it, and Dream paused, turning to look at Techno.

"You alright?" he asked, tone more curious than concerned. "You've been quiet."

Techno blinked. His eyes met the painted smile of the mask.

"I'm always quiet," he said. "That's how I think."

Dream tilted his head. "Yeah, but this feels... louder than usual."

Techno stared for a beat, the voices murmuring still, but dulled under the weight of focus.

"Just thinking about fortress coordinates," he lied smoothly. "You said something about the spawn radius?"

Dream nodded, already slipping right back into lecture mode. Techno let the words wash over him, not really absorbing them this time.

Instead, he braced himself, stepping through the portal's light, one hand on his axe, the voices trailing behind him like shadows.

The moment they stepped through the portal, the temperature flipped. That familiar wave of dry heat and crimson-red sky wrapped around them like a smothering cloak. Techno exhaled through his nose again, feeling the way his lungs adjusted to the thick, smoky air. Lava bubbled in the distance, the only sounds were their boots crunching over netherrack and the occasional groans of ghasts echoing far above.

Dream adjusted the strap of his gear bag and motioned toward the path carved out through the landscape—stone slabs laid out from a previous expedition.

"Fortress is about five minutes this way," he said casually, stepping ahead without waiting for a reply.

Techno followed silently, his axe still strapped to his back. Despite the blaze of lava lakes, the fortress in the distance loomed dark and sharp against the glowing sky. Jagged, familiar. Easy to get lost in. Easy to ambush in.

The voices picked up again the second Techno set foot on the path.

– Lava. Fire. Blood. This is where we thrive.
– He's walking ahead to scout... or to betray.
– We should walk in front. Keep the eyes on him.
– Let him lead. It's his funeral if anything goes wrong.
– Fortress means blazes. Blazes mean rods. Rods mean power. We like power.
– But he's too confident. Look at his shoulders. Too relaxed. He knows something.
– Kill him now. Shove him into lava. Easy. Simple. Done.
– Shut up. We need him. Just for now. Just until we're ready.
– Ready for what? War? Revenge? A friend?

Techno blinked hard.

He hated when they got philosophical. Creepy bastards.

Dream, still ahead, glanced back. "You good back there?"

"Yeah," Techno called out, voice steady despite the storm inside his head. "Just listening."

"Listening to what?" Dream asked with a slight smirk in his tone.

"The world," Techno replied dryly. "It's loud today."

They kept moving, crossing a narrow bridge of cobble over a lava river. The fortress loomed closer, its structure casting long shadows against the glow of the Nether's sky. Even after all this time, Techno had to admit—these places still felt like war zones. And he wasn't sure if he felt more at home in them... or just more awake.

Dream slowed as they reached the outer wall of the fortress and pulled out a small notepad. "Alright, so according to what I tracked last time, the blaze spawner should be to the right, and—"

– He's taking notes. He's planning. He always is.
– Maybe he's planning with you this time.
– Or maybe it's just easier to pretend he is until he stabs us.
– Maybe we'll stab him first.
– Or maybe... maybe this is what peace feels like. A quiet before the storm.
– I hate peace.

Techno clenched his jaw again, forcing the noise down as he followed Dream through the dark corridor into the fortress. The heat intensified. The echo of distant blazes crackled somewhere deeper in.

________________________________________________________________________________

The crackle of fire and screeches echoed off the fortress walls as Techno and Dream reached the blaze spawner. It spun steadily in the middle of a worn-down stone platform, glowing with ominous orange pulses. The second they stepped into range, flames erupted, and the blazes began spawning like clockwork—floating in with their hissing cackles and glowing eyes.

Techno was already in motion, drawing his axe with a sharp, fluid motion and slashing through the first blaze mid-air. It screeched as it burst into smoke and a blaze rod clattered to the ground.

Dream moved in just as smoothly, drawing his sword and blocking a fireball with his shield. He wasn't flashy—he never was—but he was efficient. Precise. A second blaze went down.

They worked in sync—Techno rushing into the heat of it, taking the majority of hits like a wall of death, while Dream covered from behind, striking down the ones that floated too far or prepared long-range attacks.

By the time ten rods had been collected, the spawner began slowing down.

"Alright," Techno muttered, adjusting his grip. "That should be enough for now."

Dream nodded, sheathing his sword and brushing ash off his sleeve. Then, as they started walking toward one of the upper walkways of the fortress, Dream casually spoke up:

"So... you mentioned before that this whole trip was to calculate the location of an unexplored netherite fortress?" he asked, tone light, like they were talking about weather and not high-level resource planning.

Techno gave a small nod. "Yeah. I've been charting explored fortresses to figure out the pattern. Use the coordinates, spacing, basic math, and I should be able to predict the location of ones no one's found yet."

Dream hummed, thoughtful. "So you can figure it out just based on that?"

Techno glanced over. "With enough data points, yeah. Takes a while though—most of the records are in my head or scattered across logs."

Dream didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached into his inventory, pulled out a worn, dark green book, and held it out. "Here. I already recorded every fortress on the server. Coordinates, who explored it, what was looted, the path taken to get there. Y'know... research reasons."

Techno stared at the book.

The voices, of course, were instantly at war.

– That's useful. Take it. Use it. Efficiency is power.
– Don't trust it. Poisoned gift. There's always a catch.
– But it's everything we need. Weeks of work, handed to us.
– Why would he just give it to us? Why now?
– He's proving something. Loyalty? Partnership? Or bait.
– Use it. Then burn it. Then burn him.
– Or... maybe not everything is a trap.
– That's what a trap would want you to think.

Techno blinked slowly, taking the book from Dream's hand with a faint furrow in his brow. The leather cover was scuffed, clearly used. Inside, pages were filled with clean, tidy notes in fine handwriting. Coordinates. Dates. Names. Some of them even had little annotations.

Dream crossed his arms. "That cut your work time in half, yeah?"

Techno looked up at him. "More like by eighty percent."

Dream smirked, clearly proud of himself. "Glad I could be of service."

Techno closed the book slowly, fingers still resting on the cover. He wasn't sure what the hell to think. The voices were arguing like rabid wolves, but... this wasn't a trap. Not yet. It was help. Useful help.

Maybe the partnership wasn't doomed from the start.

Still, he kept his guard up—always.

"...Thanks," Techno said quietly.

He didn't say it often. He meant it even less. But this time, it slipped out naturally.

Dream just gave a lazy shrug. "Don't mention it. We're allies now, right?"

The fortress stretched ahead of them, shadowed and waiting. And for once, Techno felt like the map in his head had fewer blind spots.

As they walked down the cracked Nether brick path, their boots crunching softly against gravel and scattered ash, Techno held the book open with one hand, the other lazily flipping through pages while mentally running numbers.

"Okay," Techno muttered, eyes scanning coordinates, "fortress at 200, -800... another at 500, -1200... spacing's uneven but there's a loose directional pattern here."

Dream glanced over, peeking at the pages. "You do all that math in your head?"

Techno shrugged. "I mean, yeah? It's not that hard if you think about it like a map grid. Plus, when you have a hundred voices screaming calculations at you, it kinda becomes second nature."

Dream let out a laugh. "Man, and I thought my brain was loud."

"You get used to it," Techno replied, deadpan. "One of them keeps trying to convince me you're gonna stab me in my sleep, though."

Dream raised a brow beneath the mask. "Just one?"

Techno cracked a slight smirk. "Okay, five. But that's a win, honestly."

Dream snorted. "Tell them I'm flattered."

"I'd rather not talk to them more than I have to," Techno replied, eyes still scanning. "One of them thinks you're secretly a blaze in disguise."

"...You know what? That's fair. I do radiate 'flammable menace' energy."

Techno let out a small huff of amusement. "You're not wrong."

They fell into a brief, comfortable silence, just the low hum of lava pools and the occasional distant ghast cry filling the air.

"...So," Dream spoke up again, a bit more curious, "what do you do when you're not plotting server domination or playing calculator man?"

Techno blinked. "I farm potatoes."

Dream paused. "That... was somehow exactly what I expected."

Techno smirked, flipping to another page. "They calm the voices."

"Potatoes? Really?"

Techno nodded, deadly serious. "You ever stared at perfectly lined rows of crops while classical music plays in your head? It's like therapy. But better."

Dream laughed again, shaking his head. "Alright, noted. Potatoes. Key to inner peace."

"Inner peace is overrated," Techno muttered, "but well-fed pigs aren't."

Dream gave him a playful shove with his shoulder. "I'll keep that in mind."

They kept walking—two war criminals turned reluctant nerds, plotting mathematical conquest in the middle of the Nether.

As they continued their walk through the fortress, Techno's steps grew slower. His mind wandered. The voices had grown louder again, shifting from simple murmurs to almost overwhelming rants, each one demanding his attention.

- You should ask him. Just ask him.
- Stop overthinking. He'll never tell you.
- You owe it to yourself. Just hear him out.
- Why do you care? Are you going soft?
- Just say it.
- If he's lying, you'll see right through it.

Techno's mouth opened before he could stop himself, the question already tumbling out, fueled by a mix of curiosity and frustration.

"...What happened with your friends?" he asked, his voice quieter than usual.

Dream froze for a moment, his footsteps pausing as his green eyes narrowed slightly beneath his mask. There was a flicker of something in his expression—something unreadable.

Techno kept walking, trying to ignore the gnawing sensation that the voices were pushing him forward, questioning everything.

Dream sighed, his voice low and oddly empty, as if all the words had been weighing on him for a long time. "It was... your usual betrayal story. I thought of them as friends, helped them with pointless wars and conflicts I had nothing to do with and didn't even care for. I exhausted valuable resources for them, just for them to turn their backs on our cause and join L'Manburg."

Techno glanced over, but Dream didn't even look at him now, just staring ahead as they kept walking.

"I mean, everybody, even you, thought I was the one behind the first 'fish war,' the 'exile'—but guess what? Sapnap started the fish war. I took the fall for it because I'm a good friend." Dream paused, voice thickening as the words came out with a surprising lack of filter. "I exiled Tommy—under George's command—because Tommy destroyed his house. I didn't care the flightless about the prank. But hey, I did it because I thought we were friends. Allies. But no, it all comes down to usefulness at the end."

Techno felt a tightness in his chest as the weight of Dream's words settled in. The voices didn't let up, each one coming faster now, urging him to question, to dig deeper.

- Did you really think he was just a villain?
- You heard him. He's been used, just like you.
- Stop pretending like you don't get it.
- You've been betrayed, too. Maybe you should listen.
- Are you going to trust him now?

Dream's words hung in the air like a bitter wind, cold and unrelenting. Techno didn't know what to say. His mind raced, the voices fighting for control, but he had to admit—he wasn't sure anymore.

Instead, he just nodded slowly, almost absentmindedly, and said, "...I get it."

The silence between them stretched, but it wasn't uncomfortable. The two walked in step, neither of them speaking, each lost in their own thoughts, the occasional crackle of blaze fire filling the void.

Dream's voice softened as he continued, but the edge was still there, just under the surface. "But the thing with it all is, I get why Bad turned against me. Skeppy's his boyfriend. Hoes before bros, I get it," Dream said, his tone slightly lighter, though there was still that quiet bitterness. "But George and Sapnap... Sapnap, especially..."

Dream paused, like he was weighing how much to say. It didn't feel like the usual bravado he put on. "I've known him since we were kids. Hell, he spent more time at my place than his own. We were brothers, Techno. Through everything. And then, one day, he just comes out of nowhere and tells me that he can't 'be my friend' unless I support L'Manburg." Dream let out a short, dry laugh, shaking his head. "At first, I thought it was a joke. I mean, we fought together against it not too long ago. But, no. Apparently, it wasn't."

Techno could hear the exasperation in his voice now, a little more worn, a little less guarded. It wasn't quite the raw honesty Techno was used to seeing from people who'd been completely broken, but it was something else—something less sharp and defensive.

The voices in Techno's head, however, were far less calm. They picked at him, pulling his attention in different directions.

- You don't even know what betrayal feels like, do you?
- Do you really care about this? Let him talk. Don't make it your problem.
- You're so damn good at this. Pretending it doesn't matter. Pretending you don't feel it, too.

Techno stopped himself from reacting outwardly. He didn't need to keep feeding those thoughts. Instead, he focused on Dream's words, not letting them fall too deep.

Dream spoke again, more casual, like he wasn't trying to convince Techno but just putting it out there. "It's hard, you know? When someone you've spent all that time with... just gives up on you. And not for anything real. For some cause that you didn't even ask for."

Techno couldn't help but notice the way Dream seemed to keep his distance from what he was saying. It wasn't cold, exactly, but it wasn't the usual strong front either. Maybe it was just the way he spoke about Sapnap—like it didn't quite hit him the way he expected it to. Like it was just another thing he had to get through.

- He doesn't need to say it's hard. He's doing fine without you.
- You don't need to fix this. He's not your responsibility.
- Why do you keep pushing yourself to understand?

Techno took a breath and then shrugged, more to himself than anything. "Yeah, I get that," he said after a beat. His voice was steady, not trying to hide anything, just acknowledging. "I had my own share of those kinds of losses. People you think you can trust, only to find out they don't even care enough to stick by you."

Dream looked at him for a moment, but he didn't push it, didn't press for more. Instead, he gave a small, almost unnoticeable nod, like he appreciated the response but wasn't going to dig into it.

"Well, yeah. I guess we both get it then," Dream said. "But we keep moving forward. Nothing to do but that."

Techno couldn't tell if Dream was just brushing it off or if he genuinely didn't want to talk about it anymore. Either way, he respected the decision, even if the voices in his head weren't as quick to let it go.

- You really think you get it?
- Don't even bother trying to fix it.
- You're the one who has to keep moving forward. He'll figure himself out.

Techno pushed the thoughts back, deciding it wasn't worth dwelling on. Instead, he let the silence settle between them as they continued walking toward the next stretch of the fortress. The weight of the conversation was there, lingering in the air, but Techno didn't feel like it needed to be resolved. He wasn't here to fix Dream's problems, after all. They both had their own things to deal with.

_______________________________________________________________________________

As they walked deeper into the Nether fortress, the atmosphere between Techno and Dream shifted—away from the heavier topics and into something a bit lighter. The sounds of distant Blazes flickering through the walls made the place feel alive in a way, adding a bit of tension, but not enough to keep them from bantering.

"So, are you just gonna keep staring at the book the whole time?" Dream teased, glancing at Techno, who was scribbling down coordinates in his book with a furrowed brow. "You're like a nerd in a library. I thought we were supposed to be doing cool stuff."

Techno glanced up, giving Dream a look of feigned annoyance, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "I'm doing cool stuff, you just wouldn't understand. This is strategy, Dream. You wouldn't get it," he said, his tone playful but with that usual monotone edge.

"Oh, strategy, huh?" Dream chuckled, leaning back a little, still carrying a few Blaze rods. "What's the plan, then? World domination? Calculating the perfect fortress coordinates so you can take over the whole Nether? Let me know when you're ready to turn that into a PowerPoint presentation, I'll be your first audience."

Techno snorted, pushing the book aside for a moment as he adjusted his crown. "You joke, but I could totally do that. I have enough data to make a solid presentation—complete with graphs and pie charts. Maybe I should start putting this on my resume." He grinned, shaking his head. "Strategist for the best warrior. I think it has a nice ring to it."

Dream raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Right. Sure. I'll be sure to send you a job offer once we take over the Nether." He took a quick glance around. "Though, if you keep doing the math, we might be here for days. You sure you don't want some help?"

"No, I'm good." Techno waved him off. "I mean, if you're trying to actually help, you could go find some more Blaze spawners while I work. I'm sure the Nether could use more fireproof idiots running around."

Dream smirked. "Blaze spawners? Oh, trust me, I'm already ahead of you. Got a couple of them covered." He shifted the Blaze rods in his inventory. "But, I'll do you one better. I'll even get you some Nether wart. If you're so into all this math stuff, you might want to brew some potions for your calculations, right?"

"Eh, potions aren't really my thing. Too much work. I like to just hit things with a sword and call it a day." Techno grinned, his fingers absentmindedly brushing the hilt of his weapon.

Dream raised an eyebrow again, giving him an exaggerated look of disbelief. "You don't enjoy brewing potions? Seriously? You're telling me all that math, all that strategy, and you don't want to craft a few potions to complement the whole 'warrior' vibe?"

Techno shrugged, not missing a beat. "Nope. I leave that to Phil. He's the one with the patience for that stuff."

Dream chuckled, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. "Fair enough. I'd probably end up setting myself on fire anyway." He paused, and for a moment, the teasing expression softened. "But hey, I get it. Some people are just born to swing swords and smash things. It's not for everyone to be... I don't know, what's the word? Calculating? Methodical?"

Techno blinked, caught off guard for a second, but shrugged it off. "What can I say? I was born to conquer. Or, at least, be prepared to conquer. Plus, swinging swords gets tiring. There's a certain elegance in planning your next move, you know?"

"Elegance?" Dream gave him a side-eye, grinning. "Is that what you're calling it? You? Elegant? I'd like to see that." His tone was light and joking, like the challenge was more playful than serious.

"Don't let the crown fool you," Techno replied, deadpan, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'm a very elegant person. You're just not ready for it."

Dream laughed again, shaking his head. "Alright, alright, I'll give it to you. You've got the whole 'royalty' vibe down, at least."

"Exactly," Techno said, adjusting his crown with a dramatic flourish. "It's all about the presentation, Dream. You should try it sometime."

"I'll pass," Dream said, his smirk widening. "I'm more of a mask-and-cape guy. But hey, I can't judge. I've seen worse styles. Like, have you seen the way some people wear their armor? Totally mismatched."

Techno snorted, shaking his head with a grin. "You really are something else, Dream."

"I know," Dream said, his voice full of playful confidence. "I keep telling people, but they don't listen." He tossed Techno a sideways glance. "Alright, enough talking. You can have all the elegance you want, but I'm heading toward the next spawner. Keep up with the math, alright?"

Techno grinned. "I'll catch up. But only if you're ready to carry all the Blaze rods."

Dream smirked. "Deal. Just don't take too long. I'm not waiting around all day for your calculations."

"Don't worry," Techno called after him, "I'll be done by the time you've actually found your next Blaze spawner."

Dream's laugh echoed in the Nether as he walked off, leaving Techno to his math—and maybe a little bit of his thoughts about how weirdly... comfortable this whole situation was.

Chapter Text

Dream walked ahead through the twisting netherbrick corridors of the fortress, the blaze spawner just a few turns away—he could already hear the low crackling of fire and the faint metallic clink of the mobs spawning in.

His steps were silent, calculated, but his mind? A chaotic mess.

"Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with me?" he muttered under his breath, gripping his sword tighter than necessary. "I don't talk like that. I don't just—share things. I scheme, I twist, I plan six moves ahead."

But then there was Techno. And around him, Dream couldn't quite seem to shut up. Couldn't keep the smirk on. Couldn't play the game the way he used to.

"I'm losing my goddamn touch."

He wasn't stupid—he'd manipulated George with ease before. Played into the softness, the sentiment, the shared memories. If he wanted to, he could've made George do anything. Because Dream was in control. He always was.

But Techno?

Dream scoffed and kicked a loose soul sand clump down the hallway.

"Can't even pretend to be in charge around that guy."

Something about the way Techno carried himself made it impossible to play the usual angles. He didn't flinch, didn't take the bait, didn't even care when Dream tried to throw little jabs or push buttons. And that's what made it worse—Dream wanted to say things. To explain. To talk.

"God, I'm so fucking weird around him. What am I doing?" 

He rubbed a hand down his face with a tired sigh just as the crackling ahead intensified—he'd found the spawner.

"Okay. Time to focus. Blazes now, existential crisis later."

The spawner spun to life in front of him, golden rods of fire cracking into existence, screaming into the warped air. Dream didn't hesitate—he lunged forward, blade flashing.

One down. Two. A third tried to hover out of reach, but Dream nailed it midair with a clean shot of his crossbow. He moved like a machine, every swing efficient, brutal, and precise.

And yet, even in the middle of the chaos, his thoughts wouldn't shut up.

"Why did I even start talking about Sapnap? About George?"

He slammed his sword through another blaze, the mob bursting into fire and smoke. A rod clattered to the ground. He didn't even look at it.

"Techno didn't even ask. Not really. Just blurted something out and I—what, just answered?"

He exhaled hard through his nose, ducking a fireball and swinging upward with force. The blaze burst, and Dream wiped the soot off his mask.

"I've spent years controlling every single conversation I've had. And then he shows up and it's like I've lost the damn manual."

He paused for a second, leaning on the edge of the spawner room while the cycle reset.

"I mean, it's not like I like him."
Beat.
"...Right?"

He didn't. Obviously. That'd be insane. Dream didn't like people—he used them. Worked with them, sure. Made allies when it was convenient. But like? No.

"He's just... interesting. Strong. Quiet. Hard to read."
Another beat.
"And apparently makes me forget how to shut my mouth."

The spawner spun again. More blazes. Dream didn't hesitate, slicing through them like they were nothing—but his expression had soured under the mask.

"I need to get a grip. Fast."

He wiped a scorch mark off his hoodie sleeve, clicked his tongue, and leaned back as he sheathed his sword.

"This is what happens when I don't stick to the plan."

A quiet moment settled between spawns. His shoulders dropped just a bit.

"I'm gonna blame the nether heat." he muttered to himself, staring at the swirling lava through the cracked stone floor.

He stared into the slow-burning embers of a dying blaze, flickering softly in the corner like a half-spilled candle. The next wave hadn't spawned yet. A pause in the rhythm. A moment to think.

Unfortunately.

"I'm gonna blame the nether heat." 
He said again.

Yeah. Sure. Blame the heat. Blame the exhaustion. Blame anything but the truth that was clawing a little too loud at the back of his mind.

"Do I... like the guy?"

Dream furrowed his brow. That word again. He hated it. It was vague. Messy. Slippery. Did he like Techno? Or did he just find him tolerable in a sea of idiots?

"He's not stupid. That's rare."
"He listens more than he talks. Doesn't spew self-righteous garbage. Doesn't flinch when I get real. Doesn't ask for a damn thing."

And yeah, maybe Dream had been paying a bit too much attention to those quiet moments. Like how Techno actually thinks before speaking, or how he never once judged him—didn't look at him like a monster or a god. Just... a person. An equal.

"It's those dumb sob stories, probably. The exile. The betrayal. The voices in his head. God, maybe it's because he's cracked too."

He ran a hand down his mask.

"It's like talking to a different version of myself. One that also got the short end of the stick, but didn't snap in the same way."

Maybe that's what made it hard. With George or Tommy, or anyone else—it was always obvious where Dream stood. Above. Behind. In control.

Not with Techno.

That fact irritated him. But it also—frustratingly—kind of thrilled him.

"Shit. This is exactly why I work alone."

The spawner flickered again, warning him of the next round, but Dream didn't move right away. He stared ahead blankly, caught in the realization that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as unaffected as he liked to think.

"I need to kill a few more of these things and get my head on straight."

He drew his sword again, stepping into the center of the room.

"Last thing I need is feelings ruining the mission."

But as the blaze screamed to life in front of him, something in him wasn't so sure anymore.

"No, seriously—what is this?" Dream thought as he ducked under a fireball, sword cutting through the next blaze mid-spin. The creature let out a dying screech and vanished in a puff of smoke and sparks.

He stood still for a second, catching his breath as the spawner cooled again. His grip tightened around the handle of his sword.

"I don't even know what the hell to call this. I don't like people. I don't trust people. I don't do friends. Not anymore."

Friends get too close. They see too much. And when they leave, they take a piece of you with them. Or worse—they turn around and stab you in the back for not being the version of yourself they wanted you to be.

But with Techno... it wasn't like that. They didn't expect things from each other. They didn't demand apologies or affection or even understanding.

It was just—simple.

"We talk. We fight mobs. We insult people behind their backs. He gives me space when I need it, and when he talks, he actually says things worth hearing."

He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

"It's not about being useful with him. It's not some manipulation game. It's... actually kinda nice."

That thought alone made Dream want to smack his head into a wall.

"Am I actually craving friendship? With the anarchist pig who lives in a frozen hellhole? God, what's next—group therapy?"

Another blaze spawned, and Dream cut through it with more frustration than necessary, leaving charred particles floating in the air. But still, the feeling lingered.

There was no better word for it. He liked talking to Techno. Liked being around him. Liked the silence that wasn't awkward and the conversations that weren't shallow. It was familiar without being suffocating.

"Is this what a friend is supposed to feel like?" he wondered, his sword lowering a bit. "Because if it is, I kind of get why people want this crap so badly."

He stepped back, brushing some ash off his arm.

"Still weird, though. Still unexpected. Still not part of the damn plan."

But... maybe plans weren't everything.

________________________________________________________________________________

Techno crouched low, book propped up on his knee, charcoal pencil scratching numbers and coordinates into the page like a machine.

"Fortress 1: 219, 64, -348. Fortress 2: -134, 70, 702. Fortress 3..."

He muttered to himself under his breath, eyes flicking between marked points and rough sketched grid lines. He'd already made some headway thanks to Dream's notes, and if he could plot out a triangle between three heavily explored zones, the gap might lead him straight to a fresh, untouched fortress.

This was supposed to be meditative. Comforting. Mind-numbing, even. It was what he needed.

But instead of peace, there was noise.

- You're wasting your time.
- This is pointless.
- Why are you even bothering?

Techno's focus wavered, but he quickly steadied himself, gripping the pen tighter. The voices were getting louder, clashing in his head, all trying to drown out each other.

- You're just avoiding the truth, aren't you?
- You really think Dream's just an ally? You know what this is.
- You're letting yourself get too close to him. You're just like Phil.

The words hit him like a blow, but he didn't let his pen falter. He couldn't. He had work to do. Focus.

Then came the louder voice, cutting through the rest. - You trust Dream, don't you?

It was like a surge in his chest. His grip on the pen tightened, his hand shaking slightly as he tried to push the thought away. "I'm not like Phil." he muttered

- Oh really? Phil's got his soft spot for his son. You've got your soft spot for Dream. What's the difference?
- You're not fooling anyone.
- Trusting people is your downfall, and Dream is just another person to let you down.

The voices were relentless now, a continuous hum in the back of his mind. Some louder than others. His eyes narrowed as he tried to focus back on the math, but his thoughts were scattered. He didn't want to deal with this right now. Not when he was so close to finishing.

- You're scared, aren't you? Scared of letting your guard down.
- You really think you can control him, like you controlled everyone else?
- You're just as bad as they are, aren't you?

He slammed the pen down onto the paper, frustration bubbling up. He tried to breathe through it, to let the voices fade, but they didn't. They just kept coming, relentlessly pressing in on him.

- What are you even doing this for, anyway?
- You know exactly what you're trying to avoid.

The final voice was quiet, almost whispering, but it still cut through. - Dream's the one who gets it.

Techno gritted his teeth. His heart pounded in his chest. He couldn't think like this. Not now. Not with everything that was at stake.

The pen was still in his hand, poised over the paper, but his mind wasn't on the calculations anymore. The voices were louder now, and the weight of their words pressed down on him like a stone.

- You think you can just keep pushing everyone away?
- Dream's just using you, you know that right? He's not your ally.
- He's playing you, pig.

Techno gritted his teeth, willing the voices to fade, but they didn't. They were like a constant buzz in the back of his skull, never letting him forget.

- You think you're different from the others?
- You've been fooled before, haven't you?
- You're too smart for this. You know better.

Techno exhaled sharply, ignoring the jab. He knew. He knew better than anyone. He'd been around long enough to see the patterns. Trusting others was a gamble, one he didn't play unless he had to. But damn it, Dream... Dream was different. Or at least, he had to be.

The pen hovered above the paper again, but his eyes were distant now, thoughts drifting back to this trip. Back to Dream. There was a reason he'd let him come along. Wasn't there? It wasn't because he trusted him, no... It was strategic. But even as the words left his mind, the voices weren't buying it.

- You're lying to yourself, Techno.
- You know the truth. Dream isn't just a tool. He's someone you're going to rely on.
- You're gonna get yourself burned, pig. Don't pretend you're too smart for this.

He muttered under his breath. "Not like Phil. Not like Phil..." But he wasn't sure if it was a lie anymore.

The voices shifted again, like a ripple through water, and the one that rose above the rest was particularly sharp.

- You're trying to control everything. You always have. But Dream? He's not someone you can control.

That hit him like a punch to the gut. He clenched his fist around the pen, feeling the sharp edge of the truth sink in. Dream wasn't like the others. Maybe he didn't know everything about him, but he wasn't a pawn to be moved around. And that fact was driving him crazy.

"Stop." Techno growled, low and quiet. He knew it was pointless to talk to the voices. They wouldn't stop until they had their say, until they twisted everything he thought he knew.

- You're not fooling anyone. Not even yourself.
- You'll fall just like the rest of them. It's inevitable.

Techno shut his eyes tightly, trying to block them out. He wasn't going to lose himself to this. Not now. Not when there was work to do.

- What are you running from? You know exactly what's going to happen.

Techno forced himself to stand, pushing the thoughts to the back of his mind, focusing on the task at hand. The voices didn't silence immediately, but they began to dull, each one replaced by the next louder one until they were all just a background noise.

He wasn't going to lose it. Not today.

"Just focus on the damn math, pig." Techno muttered to himself.

The voices in his head were growing louder, more frantic, pressing in on him like a suffocating weight.

- You're falling into the same trap again.
- Don't kid yourself, Dream's already playing you.
- He's just waiting for the right moment to turn on you.
- You're not even in control anymore, are you?
- You don't even know what you're doing.

Techno gritted his teeth, trying to block them out, but they only seemed to get louder. He needed to focus. Just one more calculation.

- You can't trust anyone, not even Dream.
- You think you've got it all figured out? You're just a pig with a crown.
- He's laughing at you right now. You know that, right?
- You know better than to let someone like him into your head.

His grip on the paper tightened, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the tension building. It was like he was suffocating, drowning in the noise.

Then, out of nowhere, Dream's voice rang out, slicing through the noise like a knife. "Hey Techno!"

Techno blinked, disoriented, his focus snapping back into place as he looked up.

Dream was standing a little ways off, a wide grin on his face, his usual cheery tone cutting through the storm in Techno's mind. "Done with my task already. Looks like I beat you to it, huh?"

________________________________________________________________________________

The voices surged in Techno's mind, drowning out everything else as they began their familiar onslaught.

- You're just standing there. Why haven't you moved yet?
- Look at him, breathing down your neck. Why are you letting him get so close?
- You're gonna regret this. Don't you see it? He's too comfortable.
- This is your fault. Should've stepped away the moment he got too close.
- It's getting harder to ignore him, isn't it? You should've kept your distance.

Techno's head throbbed as the voices echoed through him. He clenched his jaw, focusing on the calculations in front of him, trying to drown out the overwhelming noise. But then, something broke through the fog—the sound of Dream's voice, sharp and clear.

"Techno," Dream said, his tone almost impressed, "your calculating skills are insane."

Techno snapped to attention, his eyes darting up to meet Dream's. Dream was standing there, looking over the calculations with a genuine expression of awe. "I didn't think you could get this much done in such a short time," Dream continued, tilting his head as if he were trying to figure out how Techno was doing it. "How are you doing this so fast? Seriously, I'm struggling to even follow some of this. It's impressive."

Techno couldn't help but feel a little stunned. Praise? Dream was praising him? His mind buzzed for a moment, a mix of irritation and something else. He couldn't exactly pin down what the other thing was, but it was enough to make the voices grow quieter, for a moment.

- Did he just praise you?
- That felt nice, didn't it?
- Focus, idiot. Don't let this distract you.

As Dream continued to look at his work, his hands brushing against Techno's notebook, the voices shifted. They were no longer berating Techno; no, now they were muttering amongst themselves, their tone different, almost intrigued.

- Huh, so this is his personal space?
- He's letting Dream invade it. Interesting.
- Dream is too close, though. He doesn't seem to care, does he?
- He's just standing there. Doesn't even think to back off.
- Does he not understand boundaries? Or does he just not care?
- It's almost funny, isn't it? He's not even trying to be polite, but somehow... it works?

Techno's mind whirled. The voices' tone had completely shifted, becoming more curious, more analytical. It was like they were studying Dream, trying to figure him out, dissecting his actions like a lab experiment. The judgment was gone. Now, they were just... interested.

- You know, he's kind of oblivious, isn't he?
- And yet, he's so cunning with his words. He's got this way of making you feel like you should listen to him. It's kind of... cute, honestly.
- He's breaking all the rules, but somehow it works on you.
- This is kind of funny. Maybe it's because he doesn't even seem to know he's invading your space.
- How does he do it? Does he even realize?

Techno shifted slightly, his body rigid, unsure of what to do. Dream was still so close, leaning over his shoulder, studying the notebook with far too much interest. And yet, Techno couldn't bring himself to step back.

Dream didn't seem to notice. He was just continuing to analyze the calculations, muttering under his breath about how wild Techno's skills were. He didn't even acknowledge the space between them, didn't even care. And the voices? They were still at it, now more curious than ever.

- Is this his charm? That he can get so close and not even care about the boundaries?
- He's a little... oblivious, isn't he? It's kind of endearing in its own way.
- And he's not trying to manipulate you right now, either. He's just... existing.
- Is this his real personality? Or is he just pretending?
- Honestly, it's kind of funny to watch. He has no idea. He's just existing in your space. It's almost like he's never been told not to get so close.
- Maybe that's what makes him so different. He doesn't have any walls around him. He just does whatever.

Techno felt his stomach tighten. Why wasn't he moving? Why wasn't he telling Dream to back off? But the more Dream talked, the more he realized something—it wasn't that he didn't want Dream close. No, it was something else entirely. Maybe it was just the fact that Dream wasn't making him uncomfortable. Maybe... maybe Dream just didn't feel the need to play games.

And the voices? They were still trying to figure him out, still studying the way Dream just... was. It was as if Dream's disregard for personal space had created a new kind of fascination for the voices.

Techno glanced at Dream again, now fully aware of how close he was. The voices had all but shifted their attention entirely to Dream now, as if Techno's own presence didn't matter. They were curious about Dream. And for once, Techno wasn't sure what to think of that.

For a moment, the voices fell silent. Their incessant chatter had quieted, replaced by the strange hum of curiosity. Techno was still processing the shift in the air between him and Dream—how Dream had come so close without even noticing—and then the sudden topic change caught his attention.

Dream was still leaning over his shoulder, now muttering excitedly about something that made Techno's eyebrows furrow.

"You know," Dream began, his voice a little more animated than before, "I've been thinking for a while now. All these calculations you're doing—so precise, so accurate—I wonder if there's a way to apply it to something else... like... witchcraft." He paused, glancing at Techno, waiting for a reaction.

When Techno didn't immediately respond, Dream continued, clearly getting more excited. "Like, think about it. Potions, for example. I've been messing around with brewing for a while, right? And I've noticed some patterns in certain ingredients, but nothing really solid. But what if we could treat it like... like a formula, or better yet, math? You know, use some kind of calculations to predict the effects of different combinations?" 

Techno's interest piqued instantly, despite the voices swirling through his head. Dream had no idea what he was talking about, but Techno's mind was already whirring, his eyes widening slightly as he started processing Dream's words.

"It's actually not a terrible idea," Techno muttered more to himself than anyone. "There are certain potions that have clear patterns, sure, but the ones with variable results... they've always been tricky to pin down."

Dream gave him an eager nod. "Exactly! And what if it wasn't just about trial and error anymore? What if there was a way to predict it? Like a formula for brewing. That would change the entire game."

Techno nodded, now fully invested in the idea, but still keeping his guard up. It was rare to hear Dream talk this seriously, and Techno couldn't help but wonder if Dream was onto something.

The voices were quiet for a good while, their attention fully focused on Dream's ramblings. For once, they weren't pestering Techno. They were too intrigued by the way Dream's words flowed—so casual, so deeply invested in something unexpected.

- Wait, is he actually into this?
- He talks about this like it's a big deal... maybe it's not all just schemes and manipulation.
- He's genuinely into it. You can tell by how animated he is. This... this could be a side of him you haven't seen yet.
- So, he does have other interests. Something that doesn't involve just taking over everything. Interesting.

Techno watched Dream with a furrowed brow, but even as he tried to dismiss it, the voice in his mind started to simmer with a new realization: Dream was more than the image he had built in his head. Maybe he had never taken the time to understand Dream properly before. Maybe he had been too caught up in the notion that Dream was all about control, all about power plays, and scheming. But now, here Dream was, talking about something that was genuinely intriguing. Something that wasn't about manipulation or war or territory.

The silence between them stretched for a moment, and Dream, ever the nerd at heart, kept going, now fully absorbed in his own thoughts.

"It'd be so cool if we could figure out a way to link those calculations to a potion's effects. Like, based on the ingredients and their interactions with certain environmental factors..." Dream's voice trailed off for a moment as he mumbled, clearly already starting to plot out ideas in his head.

For a moment, the voices in Techno's head fell silent. Dream's voice had caught his attention completely as he casually mentioned witchcraft and potions in the same breath as calculations. Techno's mind buzzed with the possibilities, but Dream's sudden shift in tone caught his ear.

"Well, I've dabbled in witchcraft a bit," Dream said with a shrug, as if it wasn't a big deal. "Not like... full-blown rituals or anything, but I've messed around with potions and enchantments. Most people don't really think about how precise some of that stuff needs to be." His voice became more animated. "What if we could use your calculations for brewing? Like, predicting the effects of different ingredients based on actual data? A formula for brewing."

Techno's interest piqued instantly. "So, you're saying... magic is just another form of math?"

Dream nodded, clearly excited. "Exactly. It's not just trial and error. You could predict how potions would turn out, depending on the ingredients and environmental factors. It'd change everything."

Techno's skepticism faded as he thought it through. "Not a bad idea. I guess some potions do follow patterns, but... the ones with variables have always been a mess."

Dream gave a small grin, as if he'd known Techno would get it. "Exactly. And it's more than just brewing—it could revolutionize potion crafting if we get it right."

Techno was about to respond when Dream added, quieter this time, "I've been experimenting with it... Some of it's worked. Some... not so much."

Techno squinted. "You've... experimented?"

Dream avoided eye contact for a moment, shifting his weight as if unsure how much to reveal. "Yeah, I've done some testing. It's useful. In... battle strategies, among other things."

Techno leaned in, now genuinely curious. "So you're telling me you've been brewing for a while?"

Dream nodded again, more cautiously this time. "A little more than brewing... more like calculating. Potions, enchantments, things that require precision. But it's all pretty secret, you know? Not everyone needs to know."

Techno blinked. "You've been keeping this to yourself?"

Dream's smirk deepened. "I don't share everything, Techno. Some things are better kept... under wraps."

Techno raised an eyebrow. "I don't know if I should be impressed or worried, Dream."

Dream chuckled lightly. "Maybe both."

Techno couldn't help but be intrigued. There was something about Dream's quiet confidence, his subtle excitement, that shifted his perception of him. Dream wasn't just the schemer Techno had thought he was; there was depth to him, a side Techno hadn't expected to see.

The voices in his head were silent for a moment, as if they were analyzing this new side of Dream, too. Techno shook his head slightly, pushing the thoughts aside, but the curiosity lingered.

- He's got more going on than we thought.
- He's not just some power-hungry maniac... is he?
- Wait, did he just say "together"?
- Focus. We're still analyzing. Stay on track.

Techno looked back at Dream, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Alright, let's see what we can figure out then."

Dream's grin widened. "Glad to hear it."

________________________________________________________________________________

Techno shook his head, getting back to the task at hand. The voices had quieted for the time being, and Dream's unexpected little detour into witchcraft had faded from his mind. Now, he needed to finish his calculations. The moment Dream had finished his rambling about potions, Techno's focus snapped back to the numbers in front of him.

He quickly finished the last of his formulas, the sense of accomplishment filling him as the numbers lined up perfectly. His fingers drummed lightly on the book, and he couldn't help but smirk. The math was solid—this was going to work. The calculations were pointing straight toward an unexplored stronghold.

Dream, who had been watching Techno work in silence, suddenly perked up. "Done already?" he asked, a teasing note in his voice.

Techno looked up, his eyes locking with Dream's for a brief second. "You can thank my genius later. Let's go."

Dream chuckled, stepping back as Techno gathered his gear. They both turned toward the entrance of the stronghold, ready for the next phase of their journey. The air was thick with excitement, a quiet buzz between them as they ventured deeper into the Nether. Techno led the way, his steps purposeful, while Dream followed closely behind, keeping an eye on their surroundings.

After a short trek, they arrived at an unexplored section of the Nether, a jagged and almost untouched area. The dark, ominous landscape stretched out before them, and the ground beneath their feet was rich with dangerous potential. The stronghold was right ahead—hidden beneath layers of stone and lava, just waiting to be uncovered.

Techno knelt down, his eyes scanning the coordinates. Dream stood behind him, looking impatient but impressed. "You sure this is the spot?" Dream asked, clearly intrigued by how Techno was calculating their every move.

Techno nodded, his hands working quickly. "This is it. The math checks out."

With a few quick blows of his pickaxe, the stone crumbled away to reveal a hidden stronghold beneath. The air smelled of sulfur and something more ancient, and the familiar hum of the Nether was all around them. The faint glow of lava gave the place a strange, eerie atmosphere.

They both descended carefully, navigating through narrow tunnels and precarious bridges. Techno's heart rate picked up a bit—this was it. The moment to prove his calculations. The stronghold hadn't been explored before, and the sense of discovery was still fresh.

They reached the heart of the stronghold, and Techno's eyes went wide as he saw the familiar dark stone walls covered in the glint of ancient metal. "Here," Techno said, voice low but steady. "We should be close."

Dream glanced around, clearly impressed. "I can't believe you were right. You actually did it."

Before Techno could respond, his eyes caught the unmistakable shimmer of Netherite ore embedded in the walls. His grin widened. It worked. The calculations had led them straight to it.

Dream moved forward, immediately starting to break the Netherite apart with his pickaxe. "This is it," he said, clearly as excited as Techno had hoped he'd be. "It actually works."

Techno watched as Dream split the Netherite, glancing at the chunks of metal they'd unearthed. "Guess we can call that a success."

They both took their fair share, splitting the spoils equally. Dream took a few extra glances at the ore, then looked over at Techno. "Not bad, huh? I mean, your crazy math actually led us here. I think we just changed the game."

Techno nodded, his mind already turning. "It's only the beginning. With these calculations, we can find more, faster."

Dream grinned. "I'll be sure to help you test it out next time." He paused for a moment, looking around the stronghold. "Well, this wasn't a complete waste of time."

"Glad you're finally coming around," Techno muttered with a small smirk. "I knew you'd get there eventually."

Dream gave a small laugh as they both made their way back toward the portal. The journey back was quieter, the adrenaline of discovery still humming between them.

"So," Dream began, breaking the silence, "what's next on your list? Any other places to calculate and raid?"

Techno considered this for a moment, tapping his fingers against the side of his leg. "There's always more. But maybe I'll take a break for a while. We can discuss it over a drink."

Dream nodded. "Sounds good to me. I'll even get the first round."

They chuckled as they reached the portal and prepared to head back. As the swirling vortex opened before them, both of them stood there for a second, a sense of camaraderie settling between them. For all the strange dynamics between them, the thrill of a successful mission had bonded them in ways neither had expected.

With a final glance, Techno stepped through the portal first, followed closely by Dream. The soft hum of the Nether receded, and they were back in the safety of their own world, ready to tackle whatever came next.

Chapter Text

Hello everyone,

I want to begin by apologising for leaving you all in the dark for so long. To be completely honest, so much has been happening in my life lately that I almost forgot AO3 and Wattpad even existed. It wasn’t intentional; life just swept me away.

For those who don’t know, I officially graduated from high school. I turned 18 last December, finished my final day of classes in May, passed all of my SATs in June, and just yesterday I was officially enrolled into Law School. Yes – I’m going to study law!

It still feels surreal to say that out loud. This past year and the end of last year have easily been the most hectic, eventful, and nerve-wracking periods of my life. There were tears, there were butterflies in my stomach, there were frayed nerves and moments where I felt so stressed I forgot how to do anything besides complain to my friends, go out with them to try and decompress, and then return to the grind of school and studying. That’s pretty much the reason I haven’t been uploading – life simply became so overwhelming that writing slipped my mind entirely.

But as of yesterday, my brain has finally decided to switch off from school mode and give itself a small reset. I needed it more than I realised.

I want to be transparent with all of you: I’m not sure how consistent my updates will be from this point onwards. However, what I can promise you is that this story will be finished this summer. That is a promise I intend to keep.

As for whether I’ll continue writing DREAM SMP fanfiction after this, I genuinely don’t know. I still have so many ideas and stories swirling around in my head, and I’m definitely still deeply embedded in the fandom. But I won’t lie – my desire to write isn’t as strong as it once was. That might change depending on how this summer goes, but for now, my focus is on this book. I want to complete it before I start any new projects or decide to take an official break from writing altogether if that’s what I choose in the end.

I also think this note is important for any writers out there who tend to beat themselves up over not posting consistently – please, don’t do that to yourself. I made the choice to prioritise my real life over writing fanfiction, and I have no regrets about it. Writing has always been my way of expressing myself, of giving life to my wild, unhinged ideas on a platform where I can find kindred souls who will enjoy them. But that does not mean I am chained to it, nor that I owe it to anyone. I write for fun, and because of that, I will always prioritise my mental and physical health, as well as my real-life responsibilities and stresses, before anything else.

With all that said, thank you to everyone who continued leaving kind, positive, and supportive comments. I want you to know that they didn’t just make my day when I logged back in – they gave me the motivation I needed to keep my promise of finishing this piece of work.

I love you all deeply. See you in the next chapter.

Chapter Text

The Nether portal crackled behind them as they stepped out into the biting cold of the Arctic. The sky was clear—one of those rare days where the snow hadn't started again, and everything was unnaturally still.

Dream pulled his hood tighter, shaking ash off his shoulders. "I've got some errands to run," he said casually, already heading off. "Business stuff. You know how it is."

Techno gave a brief nod. "Don't get yourself killed."

"No promises," Dream called back with a lazy wave, vanishing into the snowfield like a shadow that never quite settled.

Techno turned toward home, adjusting the strap of his satchel and pulling his cloak tighter. The netherite weighed heavy in his inventory, but his mind felt heavier. Still, there was a strange sense of accomplishment threading through him, and—though he'd never admit it out loud—the trip hadn't been as irritating as he thought it'd be.

The familiar outline of the cabin came into view, warm light glowing behind frosted windows.

But something was off.

Boot prints. Two sets, leading up to the porch—fresh, not snowed over.

He narrowed his eyes.

By the time he reached the door, he heard the faint sounds of movement inside. Tools clinking. Muffled swearing in a very British accent.

"—bloody hopper still isn't linked properly—swear to god I taught him this already—"

Techno opened the door slowly.

Phil was standing by the far wall, crouched over a half-finished redstone setup with a cup of tea balanced precariously nearby. His wings twitched when he looked up.

"Oh hey, mate!" Phil grinned. "Didn't hear ya come in."

Techno blinked, more surprised than he let on. "You're back."

"Got home an hour ago. Took care of the Tommy situation." Phil straightened and took a sip of tea, then eyed Techno more closely. "You look like you've been barbecued."

Techno shrugged. "Nether run."

Phil raised a brow. "By yourself?"

"Yeah," Techno said without missing a beat, moving toward the chest by the fireplace and depositing a few items without elaborating. He wasn't ready to explain the full story. Not yet.

Phil didn't push. Not immediately, anyway.

"Find what you were looking for?"

"Netherite," Techno said simply, pulling out a chunk and tossing it in the air before catching it again.

Phil gave an approving whistle. "Well, good job, I guess. You planning to tell me what you were doing down there, or am I going to have to guess?"

Techno sat down in his usual chair. "Depends. You wanna hear about calculations, math, and a lot of lava?"

Phil snorted. "Not really, but I'll suffer through it."

Techno let the silence hang for a moment as he stared into the fire.

He hadn't lied. Not technically. But as Phil settled in across from him with a second mug of tea and the easy comfort of an old friend, Techno knew it wouldn't take long before the full story started leaking out.

Especially the part he wasn't sure he knew how to explain yet: Dream.

Techno waited patiently as Phil settled into the chair, the subtle tension in the air mirrored by the voices whispering in Techno's mind—fractured, conflicted, each pulling him in a different direction.

-  We shouldn't tell him about Dream yet.
- The alliance is barely there—nothing official, nothing concrete.
-  Revealing too much now could jeopardize everything.
- But that's a lie. We invited him out for drinks, and he accepted. That already crosses the boundary into alliance or friendship territory.
- It happened with Phil; it will happen with Dream. Being honest with Phil is the only logical step.

The voices battled quietly inside as Techno measured his next words carefully—aware that what he said next could tip the scales.

"First how about you tell me what you did with Tommy?" Techno asked, not going to give Phil any information until he knew where Phil stood with this whole situation.

Phil's expression flickered—part tired, part relieved. He took a long sip of tea, then set the mug down gently.

"Tommy's having issues with Tubbo again. Government crap." Phil sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I promised I wouldn't talk about it. Sorry, Techno."

Techno tried to be understanding—he really did. Tommy was Phil's kid, of course he'd want to help him. But wasn't he like a son to Phil too? He was here, wasn't he? Standing by him. And yet Phil wasn't picking a side.

It stung. It felt like bullshit. But what was he supposed to say? 'Hey, toss your son aside and back me up'? That wasn't going to happen. And Techno wouldn't be the one to ask for it either.

So he did the only thing that made sense to him.

"If you're not going to talk about what they're planning, and you're still backing Tommy..." Techno's voice was calm, but the edge was unmistakable. "Then I won't be sharing my plans with you either. That way, I don't have to worry about anything slipping out. No misunderstandings. No accidents."

The message was clear. If you're choosing not to talk about Tommy, then I'm not giving you anything to pass along.

"I was with Dream in the Nether," he added after a beat. "That's all I'll say. Just so you know I wasn't alone. But what happened down there—whatever we discussed—that stays between him and me." 

Phil didn't respond right away. He just sat there, arms loosely folded as the tea cups were cold on the table, eyes fixed on the floor like the grain of the wood could offer him an answer. The silence between them stretched, heavy and awkward—not angry, not cold, just... tired.

"I get it," Phil said finally, his voice quieter now. "You're protecting yourself. Can't blame you for that."

Techno didn't say anything. He didn't need to. This wasn't about blame; it was about trust—and as much as he trusted Phil he knew that emotions can take the worst of us. And brats like Tommy fed on emotions.

"I'm not trying to pick sides, mate," Phil went on, lifting his gaze. "Tommy's a wreck half the time. He's young, loud, reckless—he thinks if he yells long enough the world'll bend his way. But he's not the enemy. Neither are you."

Techno's jaw flexed. He hated when Phil did that—spoke like a father trying to keep peace at the dinner table, trying to pretend there wasn't a storm brewing outside.

"Someone has to be the enemy, Phil," he said coolly. "Otherwise we're just sitting here while the whole damn server collapses. Besides even if nobody was the bad guy, someone would find another to be. That's how the world works, and I don't mind being the bad guy."

Phil winced. "This doesn't have to be war."

"It already is. It began when Tommy decided to betray me."

That shut him up. For a second, Phil looked like he wanted to argue—but he couldn't. Not really. Not when the air itself felt laced with tension, when every whisper from the edge of camp could be another plot, another betrayal waiting to unfold.

Techno adjusted the strap of his axe where it hung across his back, then turned away, just enough to let the conversation end without storming off.

"I'm heading out," Techno said, voice flat as he reached for the door. He hesitated, just for a second, then glanced back at Phil. "With Dream."

The door clicked shut behind him before Phil could respond.

From this point on, any discussion—any plan, any whisper of a move against Tommy and his little regime—would be kept far away from Phil. No more shared details. No more half-truths disguised as trust. If Phil wasn't picking a side, then Techno had no choice but to draw the line for him.

It wasn't anger. Not really.

Phil was still his closest friend. The one person in this mess he still cared about without question. If it came down to it, Techno would still burn the world to keep him safe.

But that didn't change the facts.

As long as Tommy stayed with them—with Tubbo, with the rest of those puffed-up children playing pretend government—then Phil being close to Tommy meant Phil couldn't be trusted with the war that was coming.

And if Phil was smart, if he really wanted to survive this, then staying neutral was the best thing he could do.

Techno approached Carl with the kind of quiet, purposeful energy that meant he was already thinking three steps ahead. He swung himself up onto the saddle with practiced ease, the soft clink of his gear settling around him. Without needing much else, he gave the command, and Carl began moving—hooves crunching over frostbitten grass, breath misting in the cold air like smoke.

They were heading for one of the few places on the server where tensions didn’t immediately rise the second his name was spoken: Puffy’s tavern. A rare kind of neutral ground. No banners. No speeches. Just drink, warmth, and the unspoken rule that whatever war brewed outside those walls didn’t come through the door.

It was the only place left where he and Dream could talk without someone storming in, demanding allegiances or blood.

As Carl galloped across the terrain, wind tugging at his cloak, Techno kept his eyes on the horizon. The silence of the ride didn’t bother him—it never did. But tonight, it felt heavier. Not just anticipation, but the quiet shift of something else. The boundary between loyalty and strategy, between memory and survival, had never felt so thin.

- Phil is still back there. 
- He isn't siding with us so why should he come?
- I agree, he's choosing not to choose. Nothing to be done about that then keep our plans to ourselves.
- But Phil always sided with us, maybe he just doesn't want to kill another son like he did Wilbur?
- Whatever the reason is, as long as he isn't on our side? We keep it quiet. We already took too many risks with friendships and look at where we are now.
- And yet we're going to drink with Dream....
- Even so, Dream's on our side, Phil isn't. End of story.
- Fine.
- Let him.

Out here? Out here, the lines were already being drawn.

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