Chapter Text
Technoblade stared over his pasture with dread, gritting his teeth in frustration as he watched his cattle try to devour a thorny plant. They were everywhere, with thorns that were several inches long and would stab through any pair of work gloves.
Sighing, Techno whipped out his communicator and sent a message to two of his friends.
Technoblade: Hey girls, would you mind helping me with something?
Puffy: Sure what is it?
Technoblade: These plants- honey locusts- they’re taking over my pasture. I need some help pulling them up.
Niki: I wouldn’t mind. I’m free tomorrow, I’m not opening my bakery up again until two days from now.
Puffy: I’m good tomorrow morning, though my brother does want me to babysit tomorrow afternoon.
Technoblade: that should be fine. Thank you.
Niki: Of course! Anytime! (And I do owe you after you discounted that last shipment of eggs because I had a sudden expense).
Technoblade: Don’t even mention it, Niki. I can spare a few dollars. Tell Schlatt I said hi, Puffy. And I didn’t forget that he owes me twenty bucks.
Puffy: He says “screw you”. I’ll bring the money tomorrow.
Technoblade: Thank you, Puffy.
Technoblade pocketed his communicator, drawing a long sigh. Turning back around to head to his chicken coop, Techno could have sworn he heard crying.
Must’ve been the wind.
Techno stood outside, work gloves pulled over his rough and calloused hands and straw hat resting atop his head. His long pink hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, blowing in every direction. The cold wind bit against his cheeks, turning them a flushed red color, and he held up a hand to block out the bright sunlight shining in his direction.
Niki and Puffy would be arriving soon, so Techno leaned against the fence post adjacent to the pasture.
Niki arrived first. She wore a loose blue t-shirt, a navy-colored jacket, and a pair of black leggings. Her brown and blonde dyed hair was pulled into a messy bun at the top of her head, and she wore a pair of black work gloves as well as black boots. She smiled brightly when she caught sight of Techno. “Hey, Techno!” She called, waving.
She ran up to him as he returned the greeting. “Hey, Niki.”
Niki looked out over the pasture, making a face when she realized just how many plants covered the field. “We’re going to have to dig up all of that?”
Techno nodded. “Yeah. Those things do prick through gloves, so we’re going to chain ‘em up and yank ‘em outta the ground.”
Niki nodded. “Okay. We still waiting on Puffy?”
“Yeah.”
Puffy arrived five or so minutes later, her brown and white split hair done up in a high ponytail, and she wore a red cap to block out the sun. She wore a pair of brown pants, as well as a black t-shirt. Her red jacket was tied around her waist, her work boots and gloves pulled over her hands and feet.
“Hey, Puff,” Techno mentioned, inclining his head.
“Hey, Tech!” She returned. “Shall we get started?”
“I’d say so.” He paused. “Let me go get Carl and Carla.”
“Your horses?” Niki asked.
Techno nodded, retreating to his stable. He led his two trusty horses away from the stable, hooking them up to a plow/vehicle of sorts.
Techno and his friends went through the pastures, tying up the large thorny plants and hooking them up to the plow, which the horses then pulled out of the ground. Hours passed as they worked, the sun dragging across the sky and the sweat drawing on the girls’ brows. Soon, lunch had come around.
“We should probably go in and get something to eat,” Niki sighed, wiping sweat off her brow.
“Right. Good idea. I think we’re good for today, we can pick this up again at some point soon, but for now, we should make lunch.”
Puffy sighed. “I’ll have lunch at Schlatt’s. I need to get going.”
“Of course. Thank you for helping, Puffy.”
She nodded. “Absolutely, any time. I’ll see you later, Tech.”
“You too.”
Techno and Niki stood there for a few minutes after Puffy left, when they turned away to head back to the house.
Niki went ahead of Techno, moving to collect her things, and Techno paused for a second before he followed her. He could’ve sworn he heard crying.
After Niki left about an hour later, Techno returned to the pasture with a bucket of feed. It was a little early to feed them, but Techno just wanted to get his chicken on to thaw.
He went about filling the cows’ troughs with feed, divvying it up between the three. Again, he could swear up and down he heard someone crying.
Setting down the feeding bucket, Techno picked his way across the pasture towards the source of the noise. It brought him over towards a bush near the fence line. In the bush, was a small wicker basket.
Techno blinked at the basket in confusion, not remembering placing it there. He didn’t even think he owned one that looked like that. It wasn’t the same shape as all his.
But one thing was for sure, the sound was coming from inside it.
Techno reached out, picking up the basket easily. It was heavier than he expected.
Peering inside, Techno drew a sharp breath at what met his gaze.
A baby.