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Tommy isn't an idiot, ok? He knows the signs that mean Techno's hybrid instincts are about to go out of whack and he needs to get the hell out of dodge (not that running from an instinct driven Techno ever works for Tommy). He knows that Techno would rather be caught dead than succumbing to his instincts, so the family has an agreement to lead Techno away from society when the instinct driven haze clouds his judgement (even when the family argue and hate each other, they wouldn't go back on this pact). Tommy knows all of this, so he should have been able to prevent the situation he's currently in. He, of all people, should have seen the signs. Should have stopped this.
With one arm Techno has Tommy curled up to his chest, it's not a very practical position. Tommy isn't a small man, he is all long limbs and slowly but surely developing muscles and over 6 foot tall, but somehow Techno has him tucked up under his chin like a baby. In his other hand he tightly grips a sword that he directs towards their audience (Tubbo, Ranboo, their son Michael, Niki and Phil) and in the gruff words of the Piglin language he grunts out one word that would go untranslated to all but Techno's family.
"Mine."
The Piglin language really does sound more threatening than it actually is. For example, 'I love you' in Piglin is a series of throaty snorts followed by a rough headbutt (Wilbur often teased Tommy about how many brain cells he's probably lost being on the other side of Techno's affection). So, the word 'mine', a word Piglins often used to warn others away, sounded worse. It sounded like Techno was promising a painful death to everyone in front of them and Tommy can't blame the crowd for tensing up when they hear that one fury filled word. Especially given the situation that led them to this.
Tommy had been visiting Tubbo and Ranboo in Snowchester (the two rarely let him out of sight since his resurrection). He had been playing with Michael in the snow, Tubbo laughing as Tommy let Michael wrestle him to the ground with a theatrical monologue about how Michael was too strong for him to deal with. Michael had been letting out gleeful little chuffs when Techno had appeared. His appearance was sudden, and Tubbo (sweet, stubborn, protective Tubbo) had drawn his bow and shot before anyone (including himself) had a chance to evaluate the situation. Techno had instinctively dodged but the arrow had still clipped his ear, slicing a small chunk of his flesh apart and causing him to bleed.
The Blood God bleeds red to any who had doubts. Tommy had never had doubts, he had seen his brother bleed when they were younger, he knew his brother wasn't invincible; scars from all his years of fighting stretched across his entire body. He knew his brother bled red due to Techno's instincts sometimes triggering after a brutal battle, painting Tommy in hues of red as Techno desperately grabbed his brother to his chest after the violence. He's not sure that's what caused it this time.
Sure, Techno was now injured by a person that's standing between him and Tommy. Sure, the person who injured him is someone that represents everything he hates. But Techno's heavy stare didn't leave Tommy and Michael's sprawled forms.
Tommy had sat up slowly, an arm wrapping loosely around Michael to stop the toddler from falling over. Tommy kept his eyes on Techno, trying to figure out what was going on. Why was Techno in Snowchester and why exactly was he just staring at him? (If he wanted a fight, Tommy would give him one.) Usually, Techno would have made some quip at this point. Maybe he would have mocked Tommy, maybe he would have threatened Tubbo or maybe he would have tried to lighten the atmosphere with an ill-timed joke. He did none of that, only stared and breathed. Then Phil, Niki and Ranboo appeared, and all hell was released.
Again, Tommy has no idea what set Techno off. He’s not sure if it’s the threat of everyone around him, not sure if it’s the fact that he’s been injured, not sure if he was already in this state of instinct driven madness or if an unknown not-pack piglin tugging fruitless at Tommy’s hair set him off, but whatever it is it fully hits in that second when Phil, Niki and Ranboo burst in, making an ungodly amount of noise.
He can’t tell what caused Techno’s instincts to kick in, but Tommy has been on the other side of them enough to recognise what’s about to happen. The usual void like eyeholes of Techno’s boar skull mask glow red as Techno let’s his thoughts slip away under Chat’s chant for blood and his own needs to protect. A tension, which had been obvious in Techno’s hunched shoulders, melts away from the piglin hybrid, replaced by an unconscious confidence as Techno draws his blade from its sheath (the blade an extension of his body, of his instinctive driven needs). Those now ominous glowing red eyes never leave Tommy’s form, sitting comfortably in the snow.
Tommy has no fear. There’s no reason for Tommy to fear here. Maybe if Techno’s instincts hadn't kicked in there might have been some fear, Techno hates him right now, but Techno has never hurt Tommy when he loses control. He’s not capable of it. As a child Tommy had tried all kinds of means to not be on the end of Techno’s instinct driven affection (he had been annoying, burnt favourite books, broke swords, stole gold) and where Techno would be angry and get frustrated with Tommy, he still sought Tommy out when his instincts overtook him. Something ingrained in his hybrid brain that thought of Tommy as a packmate that must be protected.
(Tommy hated it. He was not so weak that he needed Techno babying him. And that is how an instinct driven Techno treated him. Carrying him around everywhere, making little chuffs that were meant to comfort young piglins and just being an overall overprotective nuisance. One-time instinct driven Techno hadn’t even let him cut his own food!)
(Tommy loved it. Because no matter how many people hated him. No matter how much Techno hated him. No matter how alone he was. There was always someone willing to tell him they love him. Even if it was only a fraction of Techno, the tiniest part that Techno often ignored, there was always someone who cared. Even if it was like 10% of an entire Techno. 10% of a brother was more than Tommy could ask for most days.)
So, no. No matter how terrifying Techno may look right now, weapon drawn and prepared for blood, Tommy isn’t scared. For himself…
Tubbo still stands between them.
Michael still rests in his lap, needing Tommy to keep him standing for more than a few seconds.
Ranboo, Niki and Phil stand behind Techno (and not even Phil could be saved from an instinct driven Techno. Techno would be more lenient towards the rest of their family, but he’d still hold a sword to their throat if he thought they were overstepping some boundary (boundaries that only Techno knew)).
He doesn’t fear for himself. He fears for everyone else.
Tommy only gets a second, a second that is granted because Techno has to physically remove Tubbo from his path (a swift swing with the flat side of Techno’s blade has Tubbo skidding painfully to the side), to get Michael away from Techno. It’s cruel, Tommy’s plan, but it’s the only option he has going for him. He can’t just wait to see what Techno would do to the kid and the others aren’t quite close enough to reach Michael. Still… it’s his only choice.
“Catch!” Tommy yells, standing up and throwing Michael off to the side (he tries to aim towards a large patch of snow near Tubbo and hopes either Tubbo somehow catches him or that the snow cushions his fall).
He doesn’t have time to see exactly what happens (though the distinct sound of an Enderman warping and the lack of a child screaming more than the surprised squeal he initially gave off from being thrown, gives Tommy hope) as Techno’s arms wrap tight around his still form.
Tommy is standing. He’s six foot now, a man (a teenager, but adult enough to have the weight of the world upon his shoulders), things are different to when they were children. Techno still towers over him, of course, but Tommy’s head now rests against Techno’s shoulder as his older brother crushes him into a hug. Tommy’s heavier now, he was a trained soldier with muscle mass damn it, but Techno’s muscles are still larger and have no problem heaving Tommy off of his feet and into his arms. Tommy is taller, stronger, lankier but Techno can still hold him in one arm and press him tightly to his chest like a baby. And Tommy just has to let it happen.
Phil had tried, when they were younger, to stop this. They had tried to physically keep them apart, but that just made Techno fall deeper and deeper into his instincts until he rampaged through the house desperate to reach Tommy. They had tried to address the instincts from the root cause, but well… acting mature and learning to fight and defend himself wasn’t enough for Techno to stop thinking of Tommy as the youngest most in need of protecting… not even Wilbur having a literal child, that was younger than Tommy, was enough to shift Techno’s perception. Asking for advice from piglins had just confirmed the truth that they were stuck with this situation. That all they could do was manage it.
And so, manage it they did. Which meant Tommy was stuck letting Techno shuffle him around in his grip until Techno was content. Which meant Tommy had to patiently stay beside Techno until he shakes off those annoying instincts. Which meant the entire family (Phil, Wilbur and Fundy included) trying to cover for Techno when he loses control like this (whether that means getting the two of them away from everyone as quickly as possible or making sure the two of them stay safe). Which meant Tommy putting up with-
“Mine!”
The possessive behaviour.
Tommy wants to blame Techno for this, he really does, but he knows Techno isn’t any fonder of these moments. He always wakes up from this instinctive driven madness disgusted and angry. Always frustrated to see Tommy in his arms and… well, that was when they were mostly getting along (when they were only going through minor brotherly disputes), now Techno hates him. This is going to be a pain to deal with.
Still…
From his awkward angle he takes note of the fact that Ranboo did in fact catch his child (thank God) and is standing in front of Tubbo (probably for the best, instinct driven Techno might give hating Tommy a pass, but his hatred of others grows tenfold). Phil is standing in front of Niki from the other side of Tommy’s peripherals and… Niki and Ranboo look so confused and so concerned and it’s sweet (really it is, whether it’s directed Techno or Tommy’s way), but it’s incredibly inconvenient right now.
“Oi, Ranboob,” Tommy calls out, his voice is smothered by the way his face is pressed into his brother’s shoulder (and how does Techno have muscles even here?!) and almost drowned out by the growls and chuffs Techno makes, but it’s heard at the very least. “Take Michael and Tubbo and leave. Back away slowly and don’t turn your back on Techno.”
“Wait. Tommy-” Ranboo’s protest is drowned out by Techno’s growl. A deep sound that is meant to be threatening (and is threatening, very, very threatening. It even makes Ranboo who was slowly reaching forward flinch, his steps faltering backwards).
“Mine,” Techno grunts and it sounds like a promise, a promise of violence for any who try to defy him, for any who are foolish enough to try and take Tommy out of his arms before he’s ready to let go.
“Ranboo. Listen to the Big man,” Tubbo gives an awkward laugh, his eyes never leaving Techno’s form as he reaches for Ranboo’s suit and tugs him gently backwards. “We don’t want to get caught up in this. The only one who can get caught up in this is the Big man, himself.”
And Tubbo knows that. It goes against their family’s policy, but they didn’t really have a choice when it came to Tubbo. It was in Pogtopia, after Techno had taken one of Tubbo’s lives with a firework, after Tommy had fought Techno in the pit for Tubbo’s honour.
Tommy had been beaten, blood trailing down the side of his head after a too powerful punch from his older brother, Wilbur had been laughing and cheering from the side, Tubbo had been distraught and horrified. They’d been trading brutal punches for so long and Tommy’s fists were split from bruises he had left against Techno’s sides. Techno was stronger though, he was always stronger, and willing to hurt Tommy when he wasn’t in his instinctive haze. Willing to hurt Tommy after hurting his friend.
Tommy had to give up, had to let Techno win. He doesn’t think he could even stand up, his vision starting to blur, and then next thing Tommy knew was-
Sad little chuffing noises, large, bruised arms wrapping around him tight, a face nuzzling right beside his bleeding head. Tubbo’s panicked protests being drowned out by a sure Wilbur. Tommy left to bleed out in his brother’s arms, the brother who had left him in this hurt state, until Wilbur had managed to bring medical supplies (and even then, Wilbur wasn’t allowed within a metre of the two of them, having to leave them close enough for Techno to grab, for Techno to wrap up all of Tommy’s wounds. Instincts driving him to fix the damage he had created).
And surprisingly it wasn’t Tommy who had told Tubbo why this was happening. If he had been asked, he’d have probably brushed it aside or briefly touched on it with a vague: it’s a hybrid thing. Tommy hadn’t needed to tell Tubbo though, not with Wilbur there. Wilbur who was happy to share a family secret, to betray Techno’s trust while claiming everyone else was against him. That everyone was betraying him.
Tubbo had seen Techno in this state. Knew Tommy was safe and no one else was. Knew Techno would protect Tommy while betraying his own allies in this state.
(There was a reason for Techno to hate waking up from these instinct induced hazes.)
Ranboo doesn’t know this though. Even with Tubbo trying to carefully direct them backwards, slowly tugging Ranboo and Michael away from Techno while surrounded by sweet berries. All Ranboo sees is his friend Techno who had claimed to hate his other friend Tommy, clinging desperately to him while making threatening sounds, while near his platonic husband Tubbo and his son Michael.
“But what about Tommy?” Ranboo tries to pull away from Tubbo, towards Tommy, wanting to make sure everyone in the area was safe.
It’s the worst mistake he could make.
The sword that had been in Techno’s free hand is clenched tightly and directed towards Ranboo (and poor little Michael, who can understand Techno’s warnings of ‘mine’ and is cowering in his father’s arms). A second in this state is all it would take for Techno to cut Ranboo down and in this state… he’ll do it, no matter how close he actually is with Ranboo and Tommy.
Tommy doesn’t want to do what he’s about to do. He can’t fight against Techno like this, can’t let Techno fight others, but… the only thing he can do is… embarrassing. Embarrassment has to be worth everyone’s continued survival.
Tommy whines.
It’s a piglin sound, and high pitched and sad. A noise Techno had taught Tommy with a flushed face, equally as embarrassed as Tommy, but sharing tricks that would hopefully help Tommy with keeping an instinct driven Techno in line (Techno didn’t want to hurt Phil and Wilbur like he had the first time he lost control, almost slicing Wilbur down with only Phil to fight him off).
Techno halts, the step he was going to take forward towards Ranboo pulling back. Techno blinks, red eyes gently pulling down to Tommy, and Tommy has no idea what he sees when he looks at Tommy. A child in need of protecting? Precious family? A kid covered in Techno’s own blood; the sliced ear not being tended to while Techno is like this… but whatever he sees… Techno stops. Tommy whines again, making sure he doesn’t lose Techno’s attention and-
With one last warning growl, Techno turns around. His cape swishing behind him, Tommy pressed tightly against his chest and his sword ready to strike in his hand. Techno’s steps are long and certain, determined to get away from everyone else as quickly as possible.
“Wa-” Ranboo’s words are silenced, thankfully. Tommy can only assume Tubbo had thrown his hands over Ranboo’s mouth before he could regain Techno’s murderous attention. There’s no way Tommy can see over Techno’s broad shoulders (and he wouldn’t want to, embarrassed to be babied by his brother in front of everyone).
When Techno’s instincts take over, he doesn’t always remember things right. He’s honestly reacting to what he sees, and thinks should be going on. So, as he wanders away from Snowchester, away from the snow that his piglin side insists is bad especially for his vulnerable pack, he’s not heading to the safety of either of their homes. He can’t remember building his home on his own, can’t remember teasing Tommy for his dirt shack, all he knows is he needs somewhere secluded that has shelter.
Somehow, they always find themselves in a cave of some sort.
As Techno finds them a cave worthy of his pack’s protection, Tommy keeps an eye on their surroundings. Techno can keep them safe, of that Tommy is sure, but he doesn’t have the awareness currently to avoid known dangerous areas or avoid getting them lost. Tommy has learnt, when Techno decides to wander off with him in this state, it’s easier for him to keep track of their surroundings so they can find home afterwards.
Sure, their family usually trail behind them. Never far, so they can help if needed. Phil is probably following behind them right now, waiting for Techno to settle somewhere so he knows where to bring some supplies (Tommy has no doubt that Phil will bring some health potion or bandages for Techno’s ear). But, even with that assurance, it’s always best for Tommy to keep track just in case.
(And even if Phil does come back for them, there’s no guarantee he’ll help Tommy if he gets lost. Techno and Phil hate him right now, they’d probably leave him starving in the wilderness just because…)
The cave Techno eventually finds himself settling into is South of the main Dream SMP. A mountain side that looks over the buildings along the Prime path, Tommy can just make out the hotel that was meant to his before he’s brought into the dark cave. It’s not dark for long.
It was always an amusing thing to Tommy (and a thing he had been lectured to not use against his brother when they were both young), but piglin hybrids don’t like darkness. It was explained to him that the Nether was always light, lava finding its way to even the darkest corner of the piglin’s realm, so even though Techno was fine with the darkness himself, when he lost himself to his instincts, he just hated any dimness.
When they were very young it was fine. Techno stayed in their house, so Phil could just bring extra lanterns, but as they got older, when they started leaving the house more, well… sometime Techno’s instincts could take over in the middle of the night or a battle and there was no where nearby with an easy light source, or at least enough for a piglin to deem safe. Tommy was trusted to keep the areas well lit. Well… trusted by the family who tried to accommodate Techno's absence of coherent thoughts, instinctive driven Techno didn’t trust the dubbed baby of the group.
So, when they entered the cave, Tommy took out his lighter (it was Wilbur’s before he snuffed it; an intricate W was engraved into the side of the gold casing). And Techno’s eyes darted to the gleam of gold instantly, taking it from Tommy (it was always annoying having to just hand over his things when Techno was like this, but he always got his things back afterwards) and starting a fire… numerous fires.
The dark and cold cave was burning hot and could be seen by any mobs and enemies for miles by the time Techno was content enough to huddle up in the corner with Tommy. The second Tommy was somewhere dubbed ‘safe’ Techno loosened his grip on Tommy. Giving him enough space to shuffle around and get comfortable.
“You doing alright, Big man?” Tommy asks, all he receives is chuffs and a purring sound. Tommy couldn’t really expect anything more, they’d only just found ‘safety’.
Techno’s hands find Tommy’s hair. Brushing through the blonde locks and trying to both detangle the knots (Tommy hadn’t cared enough to look after himself since his resurrection, so there were a lot) and to get Techno’s blood out of it. He imagines it won’t take long for Techno to dub his hair smooth enough to start braiding it.
The braiding is new. As a child Tommy never had long enough hair to be played with. Techno would maybe absentmindedly run his nails along his scalp (a relaxing feeling for piglins, though Techno never allowed them to do it for him even though he would find it enjoyable apparently). But the last time this had happened, Techno’s instincts demanding he protect Tommy, was when Techno had found him hiding at his house after Tommy had escaped from exile.
Techno had found him, shivering, bloody and scared and his instincts had instantly knocked him out. Tommy was almost grateful for it that time, he was sure that Techno would have either killed him or kicked him out and he needed a little more time to heal, time instinct driven Techno had given him and… well Tommy was stuck with Techno caring for him for almost a week in that state and Tommy… Tommy had no complaints for once in his life.
He was exhausted and lonely and with instincts in the way Techno had helped him heal, get his weight and strength back; had protected him (Tommy tries to ignore the fact that Techno had continued to do that once his instincts were shaken off, it made the following events, the betrayals, Tubbo; Dream, all the worse). And well… pamper him with affection that he sorely missed; his hair had been one of those moments of affection.
His hair had been growing for months (Wilbur had always been the one to cut his hair, but he was dead now and… before he had a chance to find someone else to cut his hair, he had been exiled). It fell across his face and past the nape of his neck, just reaching his shoulders. It was long, tangled and Tommy just didn’t know how to care for it (didn’t care enough to attempt to care for it).
Techno had combed it out, so gently. Techno had washed and conditioned his hair, like Tommy was precious. Techno had run his fingers through his hair and then gently pulled his hair into numerous little plaits.
When Techno had come back out of the protective haze, he had almost laughed at how many loose braids Tommy had. He had proceeded to continue to plait Tommy’s hair the entire time they were working side by side. He had proceeded to make golden clasps and pressed them into Tommy’s hands, his eyes serious.
“For next time,” Techno had explained.
“For next time,” Tommy had promised, knowing it was hard for Techno to talk about these instinctive driven moments (these moments where he was vulnerable and had to rely on Tommy).
Tommy hadn’t been expecting a next time after the betrayal, but his hair was still long, and he still carried the golden clasps, just in case.
He holds the clasps out for Techno.
“Will this help?”
Techno takes them. A series of throaty grunts followed by a harsh headbutt to the back of Tommy’s skull.
Tommy winces, for more than one reason. The gesture physically hurt sure, piglin and piglin hybrids were heavy handed, but he winced because… it was an ‘I love you’ he didn’t deserve. After the betrayals, the arguments; the claims of Tommy using Techno (he had never meant to make Techno feel that way, but maybe a part of him had accidentally been taking advantage of Techno? Tommy was the only one Techno went to when vulnerable like this and Techno needed to know he trusted the person he went to for this and…) Tommy probably doesn’t deserve any of the ‘I love you’s Techno is about to grant him.
“Love you too,” Tommy quietly admits, and it grants him another series of grunts and a headbutt before Techno focuses on Tommy’s hair.
Tommy sits patiently and quietly through the braiding. Techno doesn’t expect anything from him.
Tommy has sat quietly through these moments, Tommy has talked Techno’s ears off through these moments, Tommy has complained and fought through these moments. Techno never reacts either way. As long as Tommy is safe beside him, he doesn’t care.
He sits quietly this time, because… well he doesn’t know what to say. Everything’s been overwhelming since he had been resurrected and people keep asking him about his death, or asking if he’s alright, or asking him to side with them and Tommy… Tommy just wants to rest for a bit. No worries, no problems. There’s no need for worries when Techno’s like this.
(There’s always worries. What will happen when Techno shakes it off? Will he be angry, will he attack Tommy in his desperation to get away; will Tommy ever get Techno to like him again? What of the guilt that seeps into Tommy’s every expression and movement? Does he deserve to be treated kindly by Techno? Is this a case of him using Techno for his own benefit?)
Tommy’s hair is tugged as braid after braid is added to his blonde hair. The tugging doesn’t hurt, Tommy hardly notices it. The only thing he feels is when one braid is finished, and a clasp is added. The clasp tightens the braid, making it pull at his scalp slightly and when the braid is released the clasp is pulled down by gravity, thus hitting Tommy’s shoulder or neck or chin depending on where the braid is and how long the braid is.
Techno hasn’t stopped his little happy chuffs and purring noises and as always, it’s an unbelievably comforting sound (maybe it’s just comforting due to Tommy being used to associating these soft moments with the sound, like how he associates Wilbur’s songs with Wilbur being sane). Tommy’s never heard Techno purr outside of this state (and sometimes he thinks that’s a shame, it’s a pleasant-sounding thing and makes it so much easier to understand how Techno is feeling).
The purring stops just as Techno finishes braiding Tommy’s hair (Tommy was expecting some proud grunts as Techno inspected his work, before deciding he could do better and undoing every single braid only to painstakingly re-plait his hair). He starts growling, it almost makes Tommy jump, and it almost covers up the sounds of approaching footsteps.
Tommy’s not worried, even as Techno rearranges them. Pushing Tommy behind him as he crouches down completely covering Tommy’s sitting form. Techno faces Tommy, his body turned completely towards him, his cape flaring out to cover the both of them completely. Techno stares at the entrance of the cave from over his shoulder. It’s not the most optimal positioning to fight, but Techno doesn’t want anyone sneaking around and threatening Tommy right now, so he’ll take a defensive weaker position if it keeps Tommy in his sight. If it keeps Tommy safe.
Tommy is safe. The footsteps have an awkward loudness to them that is familiar (they’re footsteps that used to be silent and light. Steps that no one could track, not even Technoblade, but they falter now. They’re burdened now by the man’s own choices and physically from an explosion).
“Mine!” Techno growls, threatening the man he cares and respects most.
“Not here to take,” Phil assures as he reaches the entrance of the cave. His piglin is accented, but the words are honest, and his actions confirm them, not entering the cave that Techno would kill a person for entering right now. “Here to give.”
“Mine,” Techno grunts, ominous red eyes never leaving Phil’s form as he subtly moves closer to Tommy, not risking his packmate’s life to potential threats (and Phil is a threat, just never to Techno). “Leave.”
And… well… It's an improvement. A sign that Techno isn’t completely gone (unlike that time after exile, a whole week of Techno being out of it, the only other time Techno had been that bad was when they were trying to find a solution that didn’t involve Tommy having to give up potential days of his life to satisfy Techno’s urge to protect and look after). If Techno were completely gone, he’d have already started charging towards Phil with his sword by now, instead he was telling him he wasn’t welcome here with the ‘mine’ and that any supplies could be left at the entrance with the ‘leave’. It had taken them so long to understand all the complicated piglin manners when this had first started.
“I’ll leave,” Phil assures, slowly moving down and placing whatever he had brought to the cave. He moves slowly so as to not appear to be a threat, and that applies to his backing out of the cave as well. He won’t be far though (he never is when Techno’s like this).
When he’s far enough that Techno feels safe (which could be pretty far for all Tommy knows, his hearing is usually better than a human, like this it’s probably even more enhanced and he won’t rest until he can’t hear Phil’s breathing anymore) Techno stands up. He makes a few soothing chuffing noises at Tommy (like Tommy will be distraught at being left behind for even a second) before heading to the entrance.
Techno scans the world outside the cave. From Tommy’s position he can see the sky is a wide range of reds and oranges and purples. The sun will be setting soon, it had been getting on in the day when Techno had first appeared but now it was guaranteed they’d be spending the night together (unless Techno snapped out of it in the next few minutes, which… unlikely). Phil must not be in view, because Techno kneels down observing what the man had brought and-
Makes a wounded noise.
Tommy’s spine straightens up, eyes jumping to Techno’s form as the man grabs everything and rushes back into the cave. It’s not unusual for Techno to react negatively like this, the whole reason Tommy and his family help out is to minimise Techno’s stress and the potential damage the piglin hybrid can do to the rest of the world. But the wounded sounds he’s making are rare, he had made them a lot after the incident in the pit and he had made them even more after he found him through exile, but well… Tommy is here. Safe. Uninjured and… has nothing to do with the supplies provided? Techno’s never made that sound over physical objects…
Techno changes the distressed whines to little chuffing noises as he kneels down beside Tommy, letting all the supplies in his arms fall to the ground unceremoniously. Tommy doesn’t get a chance to look at them because his chin is trapped between Techno’s thumb and fingers. His hands directing Tommy’s face, this way and that. Looking for… something.
“You alright, Big man?” Tommy asks.
Techno chuffs at him. Those chuffs meant to ease youngsters' worries and pain. Tommy is not in any pain.
Techno’s free hand carefully reaches out to his cheek. Following some path only Techno can see or discern, reaching across his cheek bones, across his ear and gently gliding into his hair. His hands are so soft, searching for something that won’t be there, because at that moment Tommy understands what this is about. Techno is searching for an injury that the blood on Tommy’s face implies must be there. That the medical supplies Phil must have brought imply must be there. There won’t be though, because-
“Hey, Big man, I’m not the one that’s injured,” Tommy laughs lightly, reaching towards Techno’s own face.
If Techno were in his normal state of mind, he wouldn’t let Tommy get so close. He always hated when people got close to him, and it was worse after he was injured, and a brutal scar was left to run across his face. It was often hidden behind a mask, as it was now, and Tommy wouldn’t remove it, because he could respect Techno’s boundaries. He didn’t need to remove the mask to prove his point.
He carefully brought his hand to Techno’s ear (silky pink locks tickle against his hand and not for the first time he finds it unbearably unfair that only Techno gets to braid someone’s hair here). The cut has stopped bleeding, but the ear might not heal right. Tubbo’s arrow had clipped an earring along the way and the hole for that earring is much larger than before. The ear almost completely sliced in a way that would have the lobe severed in two. It’ll get infected if instinct induced Techno were to look after it.
Tommy pulls his hand back, Techno’s blood covering his fingers even after that small brush against Techno’s flesh. Seeing where the blood comes from, Techno stops checking Tommy over, but he’s also uncaring. Wanting to focus on Tommy instead of himself. One time, when Tommy was younger, Techno had actually bled out when in this state. He was barely conscious, and Phil and Wilbur had to nurse him back to health, but it hadn’t been easy. Techno didn’t want them near him or Tommy, even while he had no control of his limbs from blood loss. He had bitten Wilbur numerous times before he had regained enough strength to pull Tommy away from their family.
“Right, Big man, let’s see what the old man brought us, yeah?” Tommy questions, slipping from Techno’s grip, Techno grumbles unhappily, but let’s Tommy go, it’s only for a second anyway. There’s bandages, cloth and potions on the ground. Water and bakery snacks as well. Tommy reaches for the water, potions and bandages and cloth, before coming back to Techno.
Techno presses them together in a tight hug when he’s back and Tommy has to awkwardly manoeuvre himself, basically kneeling on Techno’s lap, so he can reach Techno’s ear. Techno doesn’t care what Tommy does to him in this state, as long as they’re physically close to each other, as long as Techno is able to protect his younger brother.
Wetting the cloth, Tommy goes about removing the earring that was getting in the way, cleaning both the earring and the wounded ear.
Techno takes the earring from him, making happy chuffing noises as he holds it against Tommy ears. He’s not incoherent enough to try and forcibly pierce his ear with the hooped earring, but he’s not coherent enough to remember Tommy denying his request to pierce his ears (Tommy had been nine at the time, Techno had just got his ears pierced for the first time and had almost shyly asked if Tommy would want to match, Tommy had said no. He’s always regretted his choice, he thinks Techno’s piercings are cool now, he’s sure the piercing would help Techno through these instinct driven moments and… it would be something to make him feel closer to his brother even when he hated him, and… he’s never been able to escape that disappointed and sad expression Techno had made after he said no…. It haunted him like a living nightmare).
After Tommy’s cleaned Techno’s ear, he reaches for the potion, pouring some of the pink potion onto another piece of cloth and holding it against the already scabbing ear.
Techno makes an irritated grunt but doesn’t push Tommy away (he would never push Tommy away), instead he hooks his hooped earring to the collar of Tommy’s shirt, fingers sure and steady as they brush against the old material and Tommy’s collarbone.
Tommy waits a few moments, letting the potion sink into Techno’s injury, before pulling the cloth away and sticking a bandage against the much smaller wound, he’s careful of the long pink hair that somehow always gets in the way at the wrong time.
Techno takes this free time to mess with the braids in his hair, inspecting each and every one of them and judging the craftsmanship of each clasp so carefully, you’d think someone had swindled him in the past (it was impossible to swindle Techno, Tommy had tried).
“Right, we’re done, Big man,” Tommy says, judging his own work (Techno looked a little ridiculous with the bandage, but even the Blood God needs medical attention every now and again).
As though Tommy’s words are some kind of switch, or agreement, or a show of permission, Techno is back to manhandling Tommy. Making him sit in front of him with Tommy’s back against Techno’s chest. He can feel Techno’s purrs vibrate against his back.
(It’s relaxing.)
“So, what’s the plan now, Big man?” Tommy asks.
Techno proceeds to take out every single plait he had just entangled in Tommy’s hair and…
Started redoing every single one.
“Not up to your standards, eh?” Tommy jokes.
Techno just chuffs and gets back to work.
Tommy could sit in silence, like before, but he’s getting a little tired of only hearing the crackles from the fire and Techno’s rumbling voice (sounds? Noises?), so he decides to talk. He’s learnt that he can’t really talk about anything too negative like this. One time he had complained about Wilbur stealing his stuff as a child and Techno had almost killed Wilbur for Tommy.
No. Tommy didn't want Techno to go on a bloody murderous rampage, because a lot of people were dicks to him.
(Tommy didn’t want to use Techno in that way, it was unfair to use his overprotectiveness to make him fight Tommy’s enemies.)
No negative talk… didn’t give Tommy a lot to work with mind you. Tommy’s life was shit right now.
His family hated him. Almost everyone around here was out to kill him. Tubbo and him were trying to figure out how they fit together with the addition of Ranboo. And… Tommy was just lonely. So very, very lonely. There was one new thing that he didn’t have negative thoughts about though and Techno never seemed to remember these conversations once everything was said and done. So… he could share as much as he liked without concern.
“So, Tubbo, remember Tubbo? He has a kid now. Adopted a little piglin kid, like a full piglin, not a hybrid like you, he may have stupidly brought the kid to the Overworld, and started the zombie-fying process, but he’s still an alright kid. His name’s Michael, the kid I yeeted earlier when you turned up in Snowchester, he’s a good kid. Not allowed out much though-”
Techno lets him continue to speak, to ramble about everything and nothing, as long as Tommy is safe and with him, he doesn’t care, and anyway it was a perfect conversational topic.
(It was perfect because Tommy was the one speaking.)
Tommy lets him continue to braid his hair, it’s a pointless endeavour into futility, plaiting his hair only to release the braids to try again even though it was already perfect.
(It was perfect because Techno was the one braiding.)
All perfect things must come to an end at some point though. It was somewhen through Techno's third time re-braiding Tommy's hair and Tommy recounting the time Michael has snuck out the house (after Tubbo had phoned him in a panic he had found the kid idly wondering down Prime Path… kids were sneaky and couldn't be left unsupervised for even five minutes if you didn't want them lost in another country) when it happened. Tommy's stomach had grumbled, a normal bodily function that had Tommy expecting Techno to go all protective mode (he always did in this instinct driven mode, he would either scour far and wide for food or test taste the food their family left for them as though they would leave poisoned food for them). Only…
He didn't.
Techno didn't.
His hands continued to braid his hair.
They were sure in their movements.
Content.
But…
Completely unlike an instinct driven Techno. An instinct driven Techno would put his own wants aside, and braiding his hair was a Techno want (even if Tommy enjoyed the feeling of his brother's fingers running through his hair), and put Tommy's needs first. Food trumped hair care.
"So… that's the story of how I, Big man extraordinaire, saved a child. Michael's competent, he wouldn't put himself in danger, but there are some messed up people on the server. Did you know Sam killed a different zombie Piglin child as a prank, to make Tubbo think his kid was dead? Fucked up," Tommy… trails off, careful to stop his story at a reasonable point. He… he didn't give anything away, right? He didn't reveal anything serious, right? Everything he shared was public information…
Except for Techno. Techno who had killed Tubbo. Techno who was friends with Ranboo, but scared Ranboo enough that he didn't want to reveal his platonic marriage and child (only Ranboo would have revealed it earlier that day if Techno was in his right state of mind). Michael was information that was hidden from Techno and Tommy was… revealing it. He was-
He wasn't.
Instinct driven Techno didn't remember anything, and Techno always left his side as soon as possible when he snapped out of it. There was no way Techno had shaken out of his instincts and just… decided to keep Tommy in his lap so he could braid his hair. Sure, Techno had ignored the clear sign that Tommy was hungry, but maybe Techno just didn't hear it…
(Techno always heard the quiet rumbles of his stomach, he had heard them over the loud crashing of a waterfall, had heard them over creeper explosions. He would have heard them over Tommy's own voice.)
Techno hated Tommy. Even if it were odd, Techno wouldn't have sat here this long listening to Tommy. He was doing fine without Tommy in his life. Maybe… maybe Tubbo's arrow had messed with his hearing.
(Except Tubbo's arrow had been a plain boring old arrow. No explosions. No fireworks. Nothing that could affect hearing unless shot directly at the eardrum.)
Tommy hesitates.
For a second.
Then he speaks.
"You know… Techno, I love hanging out with Tubbo's kid. Michael really is great, but it's kinda hard to be around Tubbo nowadays. It's hard to be around anyone. After Dream killed me and brought me back to life, everything's gone to shit. Well… I guess everything went to shit way before that, things have been going downhill since Wilbur lost it… maybe even before that, if we're being honest. But, since the whole dead thing, I've really noticed how much life sucks right now. Me and Tubbo don't quite click like we used, everyone's trying to kill each other, you and Phil hate me. I… I miss how things used to be. I wish we still talked."
His voice wobbles at the end. Tears threatening to spill.
Techno makes sad little whines, not quite the comforting chuffs of a proud protective piglin, as he pulls Tommy closer. Strong arms holding him as close as physically possible.
"I wish we were still friends- brothers. I wish things could be uncomplicated, no sides or wars or ideals. I wish you still cared about me."
Grunts, softer than Tommy's ever heard, vibrate through him, as Techno gently headbutts the back of his head. The softest 'I love you' Tommy's ever received.
Tommy's tears fall. Slipping down his face and splashing cold against Techno's arms.
Techno continues to comfort him with quiet grunts and gentle headbutts; the soft 'I love you's that Tommy has never been given before. Piglins are loud with their affection, almost violent with their affection, Techno's the same when he's driven by his instincts. When Techno is himself, he dodges affection like the plague, hides serious talks beneath piles and piles of jokes. Techno's never like this.
Whatever Techno's playing at, and it has to be Techno, it can't be his instincts causing this, because… An instinct driven Techno would have left to kill Dream after Tommy’s confession. He would have killed everyone he mentioned for his tears alone (it was never a good idea to cry around an instinct driven Techno). He doesn't know what Techno is doing, what this means, but…
"I love you too, Techno," Tommy cries.
And he means it.
He falls asleep to tears drying on his cheeks and Techno's face smothered in his hair, nudging more 'I love you's into his skull than Tommy knows what to do with. He wakes to a cloak wrapped tightly around him, a muffin beside him and a cave empty of all but the crackling flames from the night before. His hair has been brushed into a more complicated braid (and is missing at least half the clasps he had given Techno the previous night) and Techno's earring is still pressed against his collarbone from its resting place on his shirt's collar… Wilbur’s old lighter doesn’t weight down his pocket like it usually does…
He'll have to meet up with Techno and return his items… retrieve his own items back… The aftermath of instinct driven Techno was always awkward. Having to shuffle and rearrange their inventories (one time Techno had spent hours draping Tommy in gold and it had taken nearly that long to remove it all afterwards). But that… that's later. All Tommy can focus on is food and his hunger (his embarrassment and worries could be dealt with another time).
He picks up the muffin and takes an eager bite. And if he cries from the nostalgic taste (Niki's baking has only improved over the years) no one's around to hear.
(Big men don't cry… Maybe that's why Techno can never seem to stop thinking of him as a child… Maybe that’s why Tommy’s the only one who can help Techno when his instincts take over… Maybe Tommy isn’t as much of a big man as he likes to believe himself to be… Maybe… That’s alright…)