Archive of Our Own

The thing about being a bit of a lone wolf is that he lives in a secluded area, out of the way of everyone else in the land. And the thing about living away from everyone else is that nobody would ever be able to find him even if they tried (not that they did). He liked it that way. He liked appearing near civilization ominously and lurking, striking fear into people's bones and maintaining his aloof and mysterious aura. And because he lives so far away, he has no need for added security around his little mountain bunker. He relies on the ignorance of others and his own ability to sneak away and he’s pretty confident they would never be able to find him without him outright telling them where he lives. And he’d been fine on his own, fine living far away, alone and safe.

Which is why when he wakes up one night to frantic clawing at his door, he begins to regret his own ego again. The hubris of man.

He quickly gathers up a chest plate, his mask, an axe and a shield, still shocked and sleep-dazed but prepared for a fight and stumbles towards the door.

He’s rubbing his eyes as he ambles down the corridor towards the scratching sound. He hits his foot on a protruding rock, slams his elbow into a corner and stumbles over a discarded pair of boots but he makes it to the entrance in one piece. He’s shaky and mildly disoriented but ready for the fight if there is to be one.

“No, no. Come on, why did we come all the way here? Please, let’s go back home.”

He hears a hushed voice from the other side of the door and pauses. There’s a break in the scratching and then it starts up again, more insistent than before, this time accompanied by sniffling sounds and now Dream’s confused.

He tugs open the door in a sudden movement, axe on the ready and his shield in front of him, prepared for a fight.

What he finds on his front lawn – the cliff outside of his cave entrance – stumps him. It is a very frazzled-looking Philza, trying to usher a hulking figure away from the aforementioned door with hushed words and futile tugs.

“Hey, mate!” Philza squawks and Dream is about to respond with a question when something bumps into his shield hard and pushes him back, sudden enough that it knocks him on his ass. He yelps in surprise, dropping his axe as Philza rushes into the doorway to help pull away whatever it is that knocked him over.

“I am so sorry, Dream. It’s just – he’s very stubborn, I didn’t expect him to – oh, Gods.” Phil babbles which is very uncharacteristic of him and Dream, still half-asleep, can only think to slap a button near him that opens up the glowstone hollows, lighting the hallway up properly.

His eyes meet blood red ones, his mouth popping open behind his mask, as he realizes there’s a very large Piglin-like figure on top of him, a snout very much in his face and sniffing.

“Is this – is this Techno?” He croaks, hurriedly backing away and managing to leverage himself into a sitting position. The Piglin follows, snout pressing into the crook of his neck in an invasive move that has him hitching up his shoulders and letting out an involuntary squeak.

“Yeah, mate, sorry. Really, really sorry.” Philza finally gets his hands hooked to the back of Techno’s cape collar and starts tugging. But the Piglin hybrid doesn’t budge. Instead, he relaxes his impressive weight on top of Dream’s lap, snout still snuffing softly and Dream feels his cheeks heat at the proximity. This is – he’s not used to anybody being this close to him.

“What, uh, what happened? I didn’t know he can go, uh, full Piglin.” He presses his hands to the other’s shoulders, finally thinking to help Phil get the other away.

“He usually can’t. There was, um, an altercation with a witch.” Philza winces, wings flaring out in the narrow hallway to try and put more force behind their pushing and pulling. It works for a moment but then Techno growls, eyes flashing dangerously before he digs his claws into the solid stone ground in protest.

“Oh, he’s definitely not budging.” He sighs, resolving himself to the current situation that he’s not entirely sure is reality and not some sort of a bizarre dream.

“Gods,” Philza throws his hands up in frustration. “I really – wait, you live here? I thought you were homeless.”

“Oh, come on!” He groans, slumping back against the wall. “I told him I had a house. Not my fault he didn’t believe me.”

“Well I can’t blame him, this place is in the middle of nowhere.” Philza points out, adjusting his hat.

“And for good reason, too.” He stares the other down, hoping his mask conveys the accusation he’s trying to dish out.

“Sorry, mate. Again. We weren’t looking for trouble, man. We must have encroached on the witch’s territory and Techno, the idiot, threw himself in front of me as a potion came flying our way.” Philza sighs heavily, hands on his hips as he surveys the Piglin’s dozing form. “Nothing happened at first but as soon as we got to the tundra, he began shifting into this form. He’s gone full feral, mate.”

“Okay, but how did you, uh, end up here?” He presses a curious finger to the ridge of the other’s snout, the fur there coarse and rough.

“We were – well, I was having dinner, he was trying to grasp the concept of a spoon, and then he just bolted upright, nose high in the sky and… started moving this way. That was yesterday, we didn’t take the Nether.” Philza looks exhausted as he speaks, his shoulders drooping and wings relaxing involuntarily. “I lost him in the forest a couple of times but managed to catch up as soon as he started scaling the side of the mountain.”

“And he took you straight to my remote, hidden lair. Fun.” He taps the Piglin’s forehead and the other snorts, opening one eye to stare at him inquiringly. “Can he understand us?”

“As far as I’ve gathered, he’s still got his rudimentary knowledge of language but he’s not verbal – aside from the occasional grunt or growl. He knows of concepts and what he’s supposed to be doing but he doesn’t seem to care much for propriety.” Phil chuckles tiredly and Dream feels wholly for the man who’s somehow gotten into another mess against his better judgment.

“Well, um. What I’d like to know is why he came here but I guess that’ll have to wait.” He pries the other’s claws from the ground gently, coaxing the hands into relaxing. “Come on, Techno, buddy. Let’s get up, how about we go settle in front of the hearth, huh?”

The Piglin doesn’t look convinced so Dream does the only thing he can think to do and pushes his hands under the other’s jaw as if he were nothing but a big cat, scratching through the rough fur. Techno’s large form tenses up and Dream feels him stop breathing for a brief moment – it’s almost like the other is contemplating Dream’s imminent demise –before surrendering to the feeling.

“That’s right, buddy. Come on, can we do this somewhere that’s not this very narrow hallway, yeah?” He croons, still embarrassed – neither of them is going to live this down if Philza has any say in it, he just knows it.

Though, the soft tone and the promise of more scratching seems to work and Techno’s hulking form rises to its full height. For the first time Dream realizes the other’s taller than usual. He’s about seven feet and a couple of inches and he’s definitely wider in the torso than he used to be. There’s also longer fur along the curve of the back of his neck where once the other’s pink hair was. Techno stands and hunches over then proceeds to pick Dream up off the ground and put him down onto his feet before he can even think to protest.

This is definitely some weird nightmare, he thinks, miffed.

“Right, um. Can you get the door, please?” He asks and Philza turns around to close off the cave, hiding it from the outside world again.

“Follow me I guess.” He eyes the Piglin who’s waiting on him patiently and then heads for the area where he’s actually living.

It’s a hollowed out cave, spawn-proof and simple. There are all the necessities he can wish for in it but there are no walls so everything – aside from a spare room and a bathing area – is located in that cavern. It might look a little sad to the average outsider but to Dream, it’s home.

“You can stay the night, Phil, I guess. It’s too dark to make it back now anyway.” He shrugs, rubbing the back of his head, messing his hair up further. “You can stay for breakfast, too.”

“Aw, thanks, mate. We’ll sort this out in the morning, don’t worry.” Phil promises him with a pat on the back and Dream shows him to the spare room door before returning to Techno’s still-as-a-statue figure.

He stares at the hybrid and the Piglin stares back. It’s almost as if the other can see right through his mask. It’s creepy and intense and he doesn’t necessarily like how squirmy it makes him feel.

“Uh, food?” He ventures uneasily but Techno shakes his head. “Are you even all there?” He steps closer to the other, wanting to see what the hybrid would do.

Techno tilts his head, before something seems to tick him off and he starts tugging at the cape he’s wearing. Dream watches him struggle to unlatch it for a few seconds before deciding that helping the other would be in his best interest. He bats the other’s clawed hands away and does it for him, not letting the material drop into the dust and instead unthinkingly throwing it over himself – surrounding his own body in warmth and the scent of the woods and iron ore. It’s pleasant.

Techno grunts, his wild boar-like snout twitches and then he begins trying to take off his breastplate.

“Oh, hey, don’t scratch it up, c’mon.” He closes the distance between them more permanently as his arms go to the side of the other’s torso to try and feel out the latches and clasps he needs to undo in order to take off the armor piece. It’s a tedious process and some of the bits and pieces have obviously been bothering the hybrid because as soon as the thing is off, Techno heaves out a heavy sigh.

“There we go, better now, huh?” He smiles, pleased at how the other relaxes further but a little concerned as he finds himself on the receiving end of the other’s weight, the tall figure leaning into him.

“No, hey, I’m still very fragile and human. Please don’t flatten me to the ground.” He pushes the taller away – or, well, tries to. But Techno doesn’t budge. He seems fixated on suffocating Dream to death with hugs. And it’s not like they haven’t tried to kill each other before but it was never serious. They both knew it was all in good fun, in the spirit of sparring. But he doubts that it’s murder on the other’s mind in this case, anyway. The Piglin seems tired and Dream can’t fault him – they did come all the way out here from their tundra which is even further from the general area where everyone else has settled.

“You tired, man? Sleep?” He inquires, awkwardly patting the Piglin’s broad back. Techno huffs and pulls back, clawed hands going for his pants and Dream panics.

“Hey! No, no, no! How about we leave those on?!” He squeaks, hands grasping at the other’s wrists – he faintly notices that his fingers can’t wrap around them fully.

“Techno, propriety, how about it?” He frantically tugs the other’s belt closed but loosening it out so it’s not too tight on the other’s hips. Techno grunts and bats him away, trying to go for the cuisses and poleyns on his legs.

“Come on, wait, I’ll get it.” He sighs but at least Techno has given up on trying to do this on his own. He drops to his knees and immediately realizes his mistake as he feels the unmistakable sensation of a hand in his hair. He freezes, scared to breathe with the sharp and powerful claws so close to his soft spots. The hand cards through his loose hair and tilts his head up, he stops breathing. The red eyes that peer down at him are entirely devoid of anything human, they are instead very predatory.

It’s a precarious position Dream’s landed himself in, and being down here with the other looming over him like that – well, it doesn’t seem like a good idea.

“Techno?” He whispers out, finally sucking a breath into his lungs as the other blinks, releasing his hair and turning his head abruptly to stare at the crackling fire in the hearth. He ignores whatever just happened and continues with his task of taking off the other’s armor and boots.

The armor clinks against the stone ground and he pushes it aside before standing up. “Alright, you can, uh, make yourself comfortable now. I guess.” He looks around his humble abode and winces as he realizes that the only couch he does have is too small for the towering figure. “You can take the bed for tonight.”

Techno turns to stare at the large mattress and then back at Dream, contemplative in his careful movement. He watches as the other sniffs the air and heads for the sleeping area, poking at random items on the ground or the shelving units. The hybrid appears to be curious about his home and Dream finds it endearing.

The other turns to him and points to an old shield displayed on the wall, black with red accents, a relic of the first L’Manburg war. He shrugs and the other’s gaze doesn’t budge, almost as if asking you live here?

“Yeah, Techno, this is my house. You finally made it.” He spreads his arms to showcase their surroundings and this time Techno’s gaze says you live like this?

He huffs, putting his hands on his hips. “Yes, and what of it? Nobody bothers me here, I’m away from everyone’s drama and I have all the freedom I could ask for.”

Techno looks unconvinced.

“I don’t have to justify myself to you, you’re a pigman.” He Hisses and points to the bed. “Sleep, now. Stop bothering me.”

The Piglin huffs but obeys the instruction, gingerly sitting on the bed before sniffing around the area as well. Dream squirms, knowing, realistically, that the other’s sense of smell and hearing are much better now than his eyesight and that he needs to do this but also feeling weird about the whole situation.

“Can you stop that?” He grunts and the Piglin ignores him, purposefully stuffing his snout under the pillow and all over Dream’s stuff.

“God, you’re insufferable.” He shakes his head and turns away from the bed, not looking forward to sleeping on the couch. He’s just taken his chestplate off when a pair of hands grabs him by the waist and tugs him backwards. He yelps at being manhandled and struggles futilely as he’s laid upon the bed.

“What the fuck are you-?” He squeaks indignantly as the Piglin huddles him against his chest like he was a mere feather-filled pillow. His cheeks are blazing from embarrassment and he feels powerless as the other’s breathing begins to deepen.

“Am I just supposed to cuddle you?” He grumbles, tugging at his mask in order to take it off, for once not caring that somebody might see his face as long as he’s comfortable.

Techno is like a furnace and that warmth, accompanied by the rhythmic beating of the other’s heart, lulls him to sleep quickly.

He wakes up feeling warmer than he has in a while. His cave dwelling is always somewhat cold, even with all the blankets and a constant fire burning in the hearth, so this is odd. He also wakes up pressed to a warm body, his cheek on a firm chest, an arm under his waist curled around him and another gripping his thigh, hiking it up.

As soon as he realizes the precarious position he’s in he tries to dart away, his palm slapping the bed in search of his mask. But Techno’s Piglin form is holding on too firmly, a dangerous set of claws so very close to Dream’s soft bits again. He mutters a quiet fuck under his breath when his hand comes up empty, the mask having been kicked around in the night far enough that he can’t find it.

In all of his wiggling frustrations he fails to notice that Techno has woken up and is only made aware the moment the grip on his thigh tightens painfully. He hisses, snapping his eyes up and meeting red ones, suddenly locked in an intense staring contest.

“Mind letting me go?” He whispers, scared of speaking loudly in case it somehow startles the other.

Techno grunts, eyes not leaving his, but the hand on his thigh lifts. However, it makes its way uo to Dream’s bare face and he shivers as a thumb is pressed against his cheek. Much like last night, Techno seems enraptured by the newly-revealed pieces of Dream. And once again, Dream realizes just how big the other’s hands are as they span the side of his head. He sucks in a sharp breath as the claw of the thumb is dragged down to where his dimple usually resides when he smiles. It’s a soft motion that holds a heavy threat in it and all of the hair on the back of Dream’s neck stands up. He’s positive he’s going to pass out because he stopped breathing but much like last night, Techno abruptly looks away, releasing him and shuffling until they’re not pressed together anymore.

No care for propriety, Philza had said last night and Dream’s sleep-addled brain hadn’t really thought about what that meant. But now it seems like Techno’s problem is controlling impulses and urges and that the pulling away thing is him somehow regaining some of his senses. There’s some hope for this situation yet.

He tips over the side of the bed and finally locates his mask under it. Hanging off the tall frame and reaching under to fetch it, he stretches his torso a little and something in his back cracks uncomfortably. He startles as pressure is applied to his hips, two hands holding him so he doesn’t tip over fully. He feels the blood rush to his cheeks and his gut clench at the gesture.

“I think I can handle this, big guy.” He mutters and his fingers finally grasp the strap of his mask. He puts it on while upside down and then uses his hands to lever himself up. Techno, however, seems determined to be helpful and starts manhandling him up. In a move that is totally unnecessary he ends up leaned with his back to the other’s chest. There’s an awkward, stilted, pause and the air grows stuffy between them. Though, by the looks of things, he’s probably the only one the awkwardness is affecting to the fullest.

“If you don’t let me go right now, I’m gonna start fucking stabbing.” He threatens, hands reaching to the side of his bed where he keeps a large hunting knife at all times. Techno huffs, pushing his snout under the strap of the mask briefly in protest before allowing Dream to bolt out of the bed.

He straightens his clothes and pretends like seeing Techno give into baser instincts isn’t intriguing.

“Right. Um. I’m making breakfast, you wait here I guess.” He waves a hand to the bed and then turns to where his little kitchen area is set up.

By the time he’s got eggs and toast going in a skillet – while having avoided adding bacon to the mix – Philza has shuffled out of the extra room, looking rumpled but rested.

“Morning – well, afternoon.” He waves his spatula at the other and Philza yawns.

“Hey, mate.” The man slumps into a chair at the dining table and then turns slowly to look at Techno who’d spent the time in the interim staring at Dream as he cooked. “He give you much trouble after I went to sleep?”

“Well, aside from not letting me sleep on the couch, no.” He plates some of the eggs and brings butter with him for the toast. Philza’s staring at him when he sets the food on the table and he clears his throat.

“He – slept in your bed?” Phil tilts his head and Dream nods.

“He’s a little too big for the couch and I wasn’t going to make him sleep on the floor.” He shrugs, feeling the heat creeping up the back of his neck.

“No, it’s just that – Techno is very particular about personal space. He’ll tolerate proximity but he’s, uh, picky about where he sleeps. His bedroom’s always off-limits… to everyone.” Philza scratches at the scruff on his chin.

“Maybe he recognizes that this is my bedroom?” He ventures, hoping that this doesn’t really mean anything other than Techno regaining some of his senses.

“Maybe. Or maybe he’s claimed it as his own already and is allowing you to stay in it for some bizarre reason.” Philza squints at him, so much more behind his blue eyes than he’s letting Dream in on. The other suspects something and he’s not doing to be telling him anything by the looks of it.

He huffs, feeling slighted at the mistrust even though he understands the man’s perspective. “Whatever it is, hopefully today we get him to go back to your tundra.”

“Oop, here comes the boy.” Phil croons as Techno slinks out of the bed and towards the scent of food with a rumble from within his chest.

The Piglin settles himself onto the floor by Dream’s side, seemingly not grasping the concept of a chair at the moment and Dream gawks at the hulking form. He’s folded himself nicely and is seemingly awaiting patiently for something.

“I think he wants you to feed him.” Phil chokes out, obviously holding back a laugh.

“He what?!” He squeaks with an involuntary wheeze. “What the fuck?!”

“I told you he couldn’t use utensils last time.” Phil shrugs. “I put his bowl on the floor and he went for it but he seems to be waiting patiently and politely at the moment.”

“You, uh, hungry, man?” He offers out a piece of toast and Techno opens his mouth. Dream pops the food into his other mouth and the Piglin snaps his sharp teeth, causing Dream to pull his hand back quickly lest he lose a finger.

“You bastard,” He hisses, flicking the other’s snout. “Behave or no food until lunch.” Techno huffs and lowers his head until it’s resting on his knees, looking as calm and cuddly as a housecat.

“Oh, you don’t fool me for a moment.” He snorts but continues feeding the other until there’s nothing left of Techno’s designated portion.

“There we go,” He pats the other’s head, somewhat condescending but also genuine in a way because the other’s been very well-behaved and it deserves acknowledgement.

“I’m impressed,” Phil hums, “That’s the most pliant I’ve ever seen him.”

Dream chokes back a violent cough that wants to vacate his throat at the weird backwards compliment. “He doesn’t seem like a problem child.” He offers uselessly.

“I guess we should head back, then. Do you, uh, have a quicker way of getting to the community house or should we brave it through the forest again?” Phil stands up, stretching his wings out.

“I’ll show you a shortcut, don’t worry.” He promises and walks Philza to the Door, grabbing his own gear on the way.

“Come on Techno, let’s go.” Phil calls for the hybrid but the Piglin just stays where he was, by the table.

“Uh, I don’t think he’s budging.” He walks back over to the hybrid uneasily. “Hey, dude, we had a nice sleepover but it’s time to go home, yeah?”

The Piglin cuts him down with a flat look and then promptly turns around, walking over to the hearth and settling down on to the bearskin rug in front of it.

“What the fuck.” He stutters, hands on hips as the Piglin refuses to move.

“Seems like we have a situation on our hands.” Philza frowns as they both stare at the Piglin’s still form. “Techno,” Phil croons sweetly, “Come on, bud, we should go home, no?”

Techno grunts briefly and falls back into silence.

“Judging by yesterday, I don’t think we stand any chance moving him if he does not wish to move.” The winged man sighs heavily. “Listen, I’m sorry to ask this of you but … can you look after him for a couple of days? I was going to take him back to the witch hut and maybe look for clues as to what happened but I guess I’ll have to do it on my own now.”

“Oh.” He stammers out, taken aback by the possibility of Techno staying with him for the foreseeable future. “Uh, I mean, he’s not really doing anything bad at the moment so I guess he could stay here. At least he’ll be safe and not a menace to anyone else.”

“Thanks, mate. I appreciate it. I’ll be back in a few days or as soon as I get some answers.” Philza pats him on the back. “If he breaks anything, I’ll repay you.”

“It’s not like he’s a dog.” Dream frowns behind his mask again, hands fiddling with his hoodie strings.

“Still. I can’t imagine this will be easy.” Philza crouches down next to the Piglin and ruffles his scruff. “Be good, you big lug, okay?”

Techno turns and eyes the other, something odd in his eyes – almost like he doesn’t recognize Philza at all. It’s gone the next moment though and Techno huffs, nodding and returning to his nap.

“I’ll show myself out, you can keep him company.” Philza smiles, eyes squinting up with mirth but there’s tension in his fame. He knows the other’s not used to parting with Techno for longer periods of time and that this must be difficult even if he’s leaving the other in capable hands.

Techno spends most of the day dozing and when he’s not then he’s demanding either scratches or food. And Dream indulges him. He lets the other follow him around as he does his daily chores, exercises, and armor maintenance and he’s left feeling like he’s adopted a pet. A large, demanding, menacing, grumpy pet. Or a side-kick.

It’s quite peaceful in a way. Dream has to stop himself from talking out loud a couple of times, from spilling nonsense to a willing ear. He’s considered getting a dog before but with the amount of time he spends away from home, the responsibility would be too much.

Once it’s time for dinner, Dream realizes a whole day has passed and nothing bad has happened.

He looks at the hybrid that’s scratching his back against a pointy rock. What a simple creature, he thinks with a little chuckle.

The sound catches Techno’s attention and the big idiot lumbers over towards him, purpose in his steps. Dream freezes on the spot, which is unfortunate because the hybrid head-butts him firm enough that he topples back in order to lessen the hit, on the ground for the second time in as many days with Techno following.

“Hey, no!” He squirms, “What are you doing?!” The words come out as a squeak as Techno’s snout shoves its way under the hem of his hoodie, warm breaths spreading across his abdomen. He lets out an involuntary giggle, pushing the other’s head away.

“Get off me, you great beast!” He laughs even as the full extent of embarrassment hits him. “Fucker!” He smacks his open palm onto the other’s forehead as the other tries to go under his hoodie further and Techno’s arms shoot out, gripping his wrists and pinning them to the floor in an instant.

He freezes again, wild-eyed as he stares up at Techno who now has him immobilized very efficiently. Not once in his life has anyone managed to hold him down so firmly that it doesn’t even connect in his brain to try and get out of the position. Techno is terrifying from this angle. He shifts a little and Techno’s muscles bunch as if he’s prepared for Dream to struggle. It’s scary and it’s –

“Can you, um, let me go, please?” He clears his throat, blood pounding in his head. He can feel his heartbeat pulsating all over his body and he’s hyperaware of how he’s splayed almost indecently.

Techno releases a soft growl, his nose burying itself in the crook of Dream’s neck which makes his shoulders hitch up automatically. This is – it’s weird. It’s definitely odd but he doesn’t think Techno means bad by it, he’d probably done something to upset the other without realizing. He should read up on Piglin customs. Well, if he doesn’t die via crushing weight of Techno’s entire body flattening on top of his on the ground as if he’s an overgrown puppy.

“Hey, dude, can you let me up? I’m not, uh, very comfortable on the floor like this.” He gulps, wishing for at least a softer surface to lie on if the other’s going to insist on cuddling him aggressively like this.

Techno pauses for a terrifying moment and then Dream finds himself being hoisted up effortlessly. He squeaks, hands grappling to hold onto the other’s shoulders even though he doesn’t need to because the other’s grip on his waist is secure. He shudders at the thought of how strong the other’s arms are and how much of that translates to him when he’s more human. He’s deposited onto the bed unceremoniously but Techno doesn’t stop there. No, the other reclaims his position and rests his big head onto Dream’s abdomen, red eyes staring at him intently, expectant.

“You, um, want scratchies?” He winces, feeling stupid just saying it out loud. He’s convinced that the moment Techno turns back, they’ll never speak to each other again. Which is a shame, because he likes talking to Techno. He likes sparring with him on the occasion that they cross paths and are both free. He likes just existing in Techno’s space and being a bother when they’re not fighting, too.

Techno furrows his heavy brow at him but closes his eyes. They haven’t had dinner yet and going to bed now would fuck up his sleeping schedule but there seems to be a giant Piglin immobilizing him. He’s not really hungry anyway.

He closes his eyes and buries his fingers in the other’s scruff, scratching in a motion that has become familiar to the both of them.

“You’re just a big softie.” He mumbles, already drifting off, feeling safe and oddly enough, protected.

He needs to go to L’Manburg. His food has depleted sooner than expected with Techno living with him now. And with feeding the Piglin enough food for three people just to keep him from trying to mine through the walls in search of mushrooms. He needs to head to the market but there’s the problem of leaving Techno alone.

He could probably do it, that’s not the issue, he trusts the other not to destroy his house. The problem had occurred when he’d tried to leave the cave and Techno had tackled him to the ground hard enough he sprained his wrist.

He finishes off the healing potion and stares Techno down. The hybrid had settled himself in front of the entrance door, refusing to budge in the slightest. He taps his foot against the ground.

“We need food, Techno. I can’t feed you pork, that’d be wrong.” He elaborates for the nth time but Techno ignores him. He sighs heavily and throws his hands up. “Alright, fine. You’re coming with me, then.” Techno perks up at that, getting to his feet in a swift move.

“Hey! You can’t leave without your armor, come on.” He shoos the other in the bed’s direction where he shoved the other’s Netherite after the first night.

It’s a slow process of putting the pieces back onto the Piglin. All of the straps need to be adjusted by hand and there are still some pieces that are ill-fitting even after. The set clearly hadn’t been made for someone of the hybrid’s current size but he’s not letting the other leave without it in case anyone tries to ambush them on their way.

He’s worked up a sweat by the time they’re done and he stands there huffing as Techno looks put out all dressed up. He snorts at the other’s expression and waves a hand towards the entrance.

“Well, time to head out, I guess.”

He hopes that they won’t encounter anyone along the way. Of course, he’ll have to somehow convince the other to stay out of city bounds as to not rouse suspicion from everyone. He can only hope the hybrid will comply.

Of course, that’s not how things go because things never go according to plan for Dream.

Best-laid plans of mice and men and all that…

“What the actual fuck, Dream? Is that – is this Technoblade?!” George questions loudly, hiding behind his shield as Techno refuses to stop growling at him.

“Yes! I don’t know, okay?!” He pushes back against Techno, stopping the taller form from lunging at George if he thinks the other’s about to overstep. Sheesh, he never knew Techno had beef with George to the point where this animosity is manifesting while the other is in this form, his baser instincts on display. “I have to keep an eye on him so he had to come with me.”

“First of all, no. That’s not what I’m asking. Seeing you two together isn’t all that strange, believe it or not.” George scoffs, lowering the barrier a little. “Second of all, that’s oddly sweet of you, but still no. I’m asking why the fuck is he like that and what are you doing in the city when there’s a warrant out for his arrest?”

He pauses, looking to the side and eyeing the wanted poster there. “I was running out of supplies so I came to the market. Didn’t know about the warrant.”

“And the other thing?” George taps his foot onto the ground impatiently, seemingly still jittery about the low growling.

Dream huffs and shrugs, “Idiot got himself cursed, or something, by a forest witch. Philza is out looking for answers or a cure, whichever he finds first.” He leans back and meets Techno halfway, the other resting the underside of his Piglin head on top of his own, seemingly finally no longer mad at George for whatever.

“That’s rather… unfortunate.” George pushes his goggles up to hold his hair out of his eyes. “And you decide that taking him out on a stroll like a pet was the best idea?”

He shrugs again, throwing his hands up. “I didn’t think that, no. But he refused to let me leave otherwise. I don’t know if he’s, like, scared of being left alone or whatever but, yeah. He had to come along.” He reaches up and scratches under the Piglin’s ear, smiling a little as the hybrid rumbles happily at the action. He’s momentarily distracted by Techno’s happy noises, entranced by how trusting the Piglin is in this form, too busy enjoying the moment to notice George staring with his mouth slightly agape.

He freezes as he’s made aware of the expression and hastily removes his hand from Techno’s scruff but it’s too late, George’s mouth is already stretching into an obnoxious-looking grin.

“Dream,” George purrs, the smarmy expression on his face further accentuated by the wiggling of his eyebrows.

Techno, apparently, dislikes the tone as much as Dream does because the angry growling starts up again. Except this time, Dream can feel it against his back. The vibrations make him shiver a little inside his Netherite armor.

“What?” He demands, half embarrassed and half confused.

“Why, I thought it was him that was a little puppydog but, as it turns out, it’s you. He’s got a firm grip on you and he’s not letting go!” George cackles, his entire frame shaking, armor clinking loudly.

“What?!” He yelps, trying to extract himself from Techno’s hold. Unfortunately, as if he completely understood George’s words, Techno tightens his grip on Dream’s waist, causing him to squeak in surprise.

“You” George points at him, wiggling his finger, “Are whipped. He’s bossing you around, look at you, he’s not letting you take a step further!”

“Fuck you, man!” He screeches, indignant and offended at the mere implication of- Techno grunts as Dream attempts to lunge at George himself, the hands on his waist tugging him back and lifting him off the ground and putting him slightly to the right.

“This proves nothing! Let go of me!” He swats at the hybrid but the other remains unbothered. “Gods!”

“Don’t stop on my account,” George chuckles and Dream wishes Techno would let him get far enough to clock the smiling idiot in the face.

“Just, go away.” He pats the Piglin’s hand, both of which are now on his shoulders, and nods his head in the direction of the market. “I’m done with whatever this is.”

“Oh, come on, Dream. I did actually need to talk to you about something!” George reaches out, making the mistake of getting too close to Dream and Techno reacts immediately.

A large hand swipes in the other’s direction, the back of it meeting the sturdy Netherite breastplate and sending George flying back as if he’s but a mere ragdoll. George yells as he meets the ground with a heavy thud. They descend into silence, both stunned as Techno puffs his chest out proudly, not a single regret to be seen.

Dream’s the first one to break the silence with a mighty wheeze. He starts laughing, bending over with his hands on his knees. His chest constricts at the absurdity of the situation and his voice cracks as he yells. What the actual fuck?

“Dream!” George struggles to get up, his armor and shield weighing him down so he mostly just ends up looking like a disgruntled turtle on its back. “What the fuck? That was so rude!”

“What can I say, stay in your lane?” He gasps out, still shaky from the laughing fit. “What was that, Techno? Poor guy just wanted to talk to me, come on.” He pats the Piglin on the shoulder reprimanding and the taller grunts, turning away from them both almost as if embarrassed.

“You know what? Forget it, I’ll talk to you once you get rid of your guard dog.” George huffs, obviously offended by the treatment. Dream can’t blame him but he just – he can’t figure out why that just happened.

“He’s not,” He chuckles. “Come on, don’t be a dick.”

“Me!?” George gasps. “He just hit me! How am I the dick here?”

“He’s not a guard dog, he’s still Techno.” Dream reaches up and flicks the other’s ear, amused as it twitches at the action.

“I can certainly see that, he’s still just as protective as he usually is. Nothing new there.” George scoffs, dusting himself off.

“When have you ever interacted with Technoblade for long enough to garner that?” He tilts his head, genuinely curious because he certainly hasn’t heard of this before. Well, it’s not really like Techno has to report who he speaks to every time they meet but surely someone would have told him if they –

“Calm down, asshole.” George rolls his eyes, fully annoyed now. “I came by his cabin in the tundra looking for you once, when you went MIA a couple of weeks ago.”

Ah, he remembers that. It had been a rather unfortunate and embarrassing series of events where he came across Techno then had to spend the rest of the day throwing him off his scent as the Piglin tried to follow him home after repeatedly calling him homeless and making fun of him. It was – a little mortifying, especially considering Techno had that weird effect on him, that weird thing where his words can make or ruin Dream’s day, where he can either make dream wheeze and cackle like a madman or riled up and angry in a matter of seconds.

“What did you need to talk to me about?” He asks instead of acknowledging whatever George is implying.

“There was an altercation at the Court but that’s irrelevant now.” George waves him away.

“Wait, why would Techno know where I was?” He crosses his arms over his chest, genuinely puzzled by the other’s thought process.

“Well, you see, Dream, there’s this thing where, um. Lately.” George begins in a mocking tone, sarcasm dripping from it. “Where, um. You come to this place only when you need food or you want to spar with Techno because you need the main Nether hub access. You’re not as subtle.”

“What?! That’s preposterous!” He protests, cheeks heating. “That’s not true!”

“Oh, yeah? When’s the last time you were here for me or Sapnap or Bad?”

Silence. It’s almost deafening. Mostly because George is somehow, inexplicably, correct. It’s been ages since Dream voluntarily spent time in L’Manburg or the Badlands or the Greater SMP area. Sure he drops by for a minute or two to chat with the residents or scare some wrongdoer straight but it's been ages  since he stuck around.

“That’s not true! I was here the other week!” He tries to protest but it’s moot point.

“That was two months ago. You came by because you needed concrete. Sapnap had to physically engage you in a fight to keep you around and Bad had to bribe you with food to stay the night.” George pouts, looking put out and sad with his puppy dog eyes all round and watery.

“Well, you know, I’m a lone wolf.”

“You’re a fool who’s overeager for the approval of another idiot. I get it, Techno’s cool and all, and we all know he’s handsome and tall and strong-” George clears his throat. “My point is, you’re stupid and you need to be better to your friends. And not just the guy you’re in lov-”

“That’s enough of that!” He jolts forward, slapping his hand over George’s mouth. “Not another word out of you, please.” It’s phrased as a plea but his tone is commanding, causing George to roll his eyes again.

It’s not true. He’s not – there’s no way. He just like spending his time with Techno sometimes. He likes to spar with him and he likes learning from the Piglin that seems to know so much and loves to read in his free time. Because Techno is old, older than any of them will ever know, and he’s accumulated knowledge and experience – and knowledge is power, and Dream likes to hold every ounce of it that he can greedily and close to his chest. And Techno has so much of it. It attracts Dream like a moth to a flame every time he acknowledges it, without fail. He relishes in the challenge, in trying to surpass the other, relishes in the competition and tension between them every time they meet to fight.

Gods, maybe he was fucking whipped.

He squirms under George’s scrutiny and Techno perks up, shuffling closer to him and burying his snout under his jaw again. Dream is powerless to stop him from doing so and he ends up standing there like an idiot while the Piglin sniffs at him with a little pleased-sounding rumble leaving his chest.

“What – what is he doing?” George hushes, no longer looking smug just perplexed.

“I don’t know. He does this sometimes. Like, obviously not when he’s not cursed, but in the last three days. He’s been doing it throughout the day.” He shrugs, biting back a giggle as the huffs of air meet his skin.

“Not going to lie, that’s kind-of weird.” George wrinkles his nose at them.

“Like I don’t know,” He grunts. “This whole situation is so fucking weird. But I wasn’t going to just leave him on his own or trailing after Philza.” He looks up at the Piglin who froze a little at the mention of his friend. “I mean, he sniffed his way all the way to where my actual house is so. You know, a little too late to kick him out now.”

“Wait, you’re telling me he knows where you live?” George gapes, looking indignant and genuinely pissed off now.

“It’s not like I lead him there!” He protests, waving his hands in front of himself in a hurry. God, if George takes offence to this, he’ll never hear the end of it.

“He knows where you live and none of your actual friends do?! That’s fucked, man.” George crosses his arms over his chest, letting the shield he’d been holding fall dramatically to the ground.

“Stop being a baby, it’s not even that big of a deal.” He rolls his eyes.

“Oh, what? Next thing you’re gonna be telling me is that he’s seen you with your mask off.”

Dream freezes awkwardly before he can stop his own body from jolting at the words. “Um.”

“Dream!” George gawks. “That’s really unfair!”

He should stop talking, he should shut the fuck up. He really should. But he’s embarrassed and his brain and mouth work as a quick duo to override his filter and he ends up shrugging awkwardly. “It was an accident! We fell asleep and it got knocked off during the night and then in the morning-”

“You slept with him?! When he’s a PIGMAN?!” George shrieks in shock, his entire body tensed as if he’s ready to throttle Dream.

“NO! What the fuck?! No! We slept in the same bed because he wouldn’t let go! I would NEVER! What the hell, man?!” He probably shouldn’t tell George about the whole him being pinned against any flat surface available at all times of day, whenever Techno sees fit, thing then, huh? He looks over at Techno, takes in his large, human-like stature, the whites of his eyes and red irises, and his distinctly hog-like head and quickly looks away.

“Dream!” George yells again, aghast.

“No, shut up!” He shakes himself out of it. Bad, bad brain. “I’m done talking about this, we’re going to the market and I gotta figure out a way to keep him out of sight.”

“Invis pots?” George offers and Dream squints.

“I don’t think that’d stop him from knocking into people.” He frowns at the Piglin hybrid who’s trying to drape his cape over his shoulders unsuccessfully. He swats him away and unbuckles the cape from around Techno’s neck. He wraps it around himself so the other will stop bothering him.

“This is just getting weirder and weirder. I’m out.” George picks his shield up and turns around, promptly leaving with a swish of his cape.

“Whatever,” He huffs. “Come on, you bastard. Let’s just get the stuff we need and leave.”

Everyone gawks.

How could they not when Techno is looming over everyone, sticking out like a sore thumb, an overly-large Piglin out of the Nether. Dream has to continually explain to everyone that no, he’s not going to eat anybody nor is he going to attack them for not wearing gold. Techno is well behaved and only growls at people when they get too close to them. He picks up what he needs and makes Techno carry the groceries in a satchel that is now tied around his waist.

He’s trying to make Techno walk past the L’Manburg property line when he feels a presence at their back. He’s trying so hard to shove the other past the shitty propaganda and the giant wanted posters but Techno just stares longingly into the distance. Something’s here, something Dream can’t see nor hear but it’s certainly captured Techno’s attention.

“Uh, um, Dream? What’cha got there?” Quackity’s voice inquires and Dream stiffens.

He’s heard of Quackity’s butcher army that’s on the hunt for Techno. He knows they want him dead for his transgressions against the L’Manburg people. He knows and he was trying so hard to avoid anyone they know but the other’s so very stubborn.

“Glass.” He shows the other the panes he’s been carrying. Hoping the other will ignore the Piglin and vice versa.

“I’m actually asking about the Piglin carrying your… groceries?” Quackity tilts his head, crossing his arms over his chest. He doesn’t look outright hostile but that must be because he hasn’t recognized Techno yet. Maybe he can salvage this.

“Oh, uh. Yeah, he sort of followed me from the Nether so I employed him. Thought he might as well make himself useful, you know.” He shrugs, not really confident in his lie but thankful his mask covers the shaky eyes darting left that would give him away.

“That’s – unconventional. Hm.” Quackity takes a step towards them, stepping on some stones and promptly making Techno aware of him. “Why’s he staring at where Ghostbur usually chills?”

Techno whirrs around, a snarl on his face as he bares his teeth at Quackity, making him jump and let out a shrill scream.

“What the fuck, man!?” Quackity throws his hands up as if that would protect him from a feral Piglin attack.

“Best not to get too close.” He chuckles, privately pleased that Techno is still overprotective.

“Well!” Quackity protests. “You’re standing right next to it!”

“Yeah, but he seems attached to me. I don’t know about other people.” He pats the Piglin’s flank and Techno shakes out the longer mane on his neck like a horse would.

Quackity squints now, eyes darting from the red cape draped over Dream and to the Netherite armor adorning Techno’s person, suspicion clear in his gaze. “He seems almost familiar.”

“I don’t know, you see one Piglin Brute, you’ve seen them all. I mean, how much could one Pigman differ from another?” He subtly tries to push Techno into walking but the other’s still not budging.

“I’m not sure about that…” Quackity trails off, still staring at Techno intently and Dream thanks whatever foresight Philza had to take away all of Techno’s weapons because the Obliterator is certainly iconic around these parts.

“Wow, would you look at that. Time to go.” He chirps and takes a running start, jumping off the cliff of old L’Manburg and into the water, hoping Techno follows.

He dives for a bit until he finds the entrance to the sewers they often use to traverse the land. In retrospect, they should have gone there in the first place. Hindsight 20/20 and all that.

He surfaces on an outcropping and clambers his way into the tunnels, hating that he’s now wet but preferring that to talking to Quackity. He waits a couple of minutes and Techno bursts out of the water after him, looking frantic and worried.

“Hey, hey. It’s fine. You’re okay.” He wheezes as the other pushes him against the wall, nose sniffing at him, possibly looking for injuries. “I’m okay, too. Come on.”

Techno huffs once he’s satisfied and steps back. He then promptly shakes out his fur and sends droplets flying about like a dog. Dream snorts at his antics and then takes a moment to orient himself in space. The nearest sign is incomprehensible, the chicken scratch handwriting definitely belonging to Tommy. He guesses they’re somewhere under Ranboo’s house or in that general area.

“Come on, we can surface by the honey farm.” He starts walking in the direction they need to go in but Techno goes the other way. He sighs and follows the hybrid, wondering where he’s heading.

They come to a stop just outside a carved out little area and the resident ghost sitting there, talking to himself. Techno stares at Ghostbur and something inside of Dream’s chest pangs with a distinct sense of sadness. They’ve all been through a lot, he’s glad they’ve gone peaceful – for the most part. The ghost doesn’t seem to be aware of them and Techno just keeps still. When Dream looks at him, he’s staring at something above Ghostbur as the dead man giggles.

“Oh, Technoblade?” Ghostbur tilts his head and finally looks at them. “Technoblade! Buddy! You look a little different.” The ghost floats over to them and Techno plops down to sit on the wet ground. “You’re a lot fluffier. Oh, hi, Dream.” The ghost smiles at him, grin blinding. He doesn’t know if there was ever a time Wilbur smiled at him like that and he wasn’t planning to start shit when he was alive.

“Hey, man. Who’re you talking to?” He questions, leaning on to Techno.

“Oh, you wouldn’t know her. Don’t worry.” Ghostbur waves him off then turns back to the Piglin. “Oh,” The ghosts face softens into something fond.

Dream steps away to see what the ghost sees and Techno has his eyes closed, head tilted up as if somebody’s cradling it in their hands. Techno’s form relaxes almost entirely and when he looks at the ghostly form of Wilbur, there are blue tears sliding down his face.

“What’s um, what’s happening?” He hushes, genuinely confused.

“He hasn’t seen her in a long time. This is a special moment.” Ghostbur sniffles, smiling at whatever being is currently making Techno behave like a housecat.

He sits himself down a little ways away and watches everything unfold. Techno rumbles deep in his chest and Ghostbur settles against him, whispering something and crooning. It’s sweet but he feels like he’s intruding, he feels like he’s somehow somewhere he’s not supposed to be. He thinks that perhaps Techno would be crying if he was human at the moment.

At a certain point Ghostbur starts singing and Dream leans back against the wall, relaxing at the voice bouncing around the empty cavern they’re in, the sound or running water nearby lulling him into an almost meditative state. It’s the most relaxed he’s been in a long while and he can make an educated guess and say Techno feels the same.

It’s a couple of hours later that he wakes up to a gentle breeze caressing his face - his mask has been slipped off. He doesn’t remember falling asleep but when he blinks his eyes open, a heavy head is lying in his lap and there’s no one there even though he now discerns the breeze as cold hands on his skin. He can’t see anyone else in the vicinity and he can’t even hear anything other than the rushing water and Techno’s soft snores – nobody else should have seen his face. He shakes the feeling of hands off and gently runs his hands through the Piglin’s fur.

“Hey, wake up, Bacon. Time to head home.” He chuckles as Techno makes a disgruntled sound and buries his snout into his armpit, trying to hide from the faint light coming from the glowstone nearby. “Come on, I bet you’re hungry.”

Techno perks up at the mention of food and lifts the upper half of his body up until they’re eye to eye. Techno stares at him and it’s even more intense than when the hybrid does it usually due to the heightened shade of red that they are now. Slowly, the Piglin closes in on him, pressing their foreheads together.

“Oh,” He sucks in a sharp breath. “You alright there, bud?” He questions uneasily, wondering what’s gotten into the other.

Techno nods against his forehead, showing he’s fully cognizant and that he understands what’s happening and that’s even weirder. Dream can’t imagine the more human version of Techno doing this to him and if he tried he might just combust from embarrassment.

The Piglin pulls back a couple of moments later and stands, dragging Dream up with him. He squeaks a little as the Piglin’s clawed hands settle onto his hips but calms down and straightens out his clothes and armor.

“Right, then, let’s get back.” He puts his mask back on and starts heading out. 

For the third night in a row, they end up cuddled together in bed – or, well, Dream ends up being cocooned in Techno’s warmth, maskless and unsure of how he feels about their situation.

He wakes up to a pounding on the door; he wakes up with Techno’s head in the crook of his neck again and feels only a little bad when he has to push the other away.

“Come on, someone’s at the door. And by someone I mean it’s probably Philza.” He wiggles out of the other’s hold and puts his mask back on, not really caring he’s still in his sleep pants.

He opens the door and finds Phil shaking out his wings there, a light drizzle in the air.

“Hi, mate.” The man grins, his hands offering to Dream a vial.

He looks at it blearily, still half-asleep. “Hey, man. Good news?” He accepts the vial and swishes the liquid inside in circles, watching it shimmer.

“This should be it, but I’m not a hundred-percent sure.” Phil takes off his hat as he steps in, shaking it off in the hallway to get some of the water off. “The witch didn’t actually know what happened so we couldn’t find anything that would definitely work.”

“Alright, let me just get him out of bed.” He jogs over to where the Piglin is sleeping, kind-of looking forward to having his – mostly human – techno back.

“Techno, buddy, come on. I’ve got something for you to take.” He coaxes gently, running his hand through the mane-like fur on the back of the other’s neck. “Up and at ‘em.”

Techno huffs but rolls over, eyeing Dream warily and sniffing at the vial. Dream offers it up and Techno opens his mouth, fully trusting Dream to do whatever he needs to. The level of trust makes his insides warm and he wants to coo or maybe scratch the underside of the other’s head but he remains calm and pours the contents of the vial inside the other’s mouth instead.

“And now we wait?” He turns back to Philza, ignoring how the winged man is looking at them and ignoring how the Piglin is trying to tug him back to bed in order to use as a body pillow.

“Should either work in a couple of minutes or hours, it’s a wide time frame, I’m afraid.” Philza shrugs but his eyes remain on the general area of Dream’s neck.

“It’s fine, guess we’ll see by the evening. You want any tea or breakfast, we went to the market yesterday to stock up on food.” He stretches, watching carefully as Philza’s eyes track him.

“You went to L’Manburg? Have you seen Ghostbur by any chance?” The other follows him to the kitchen area. “I’ll have some tea.”

“We did actually. Speaking of, something weird happened, um. Ghostbur was talking to someone? Something? And I’ve seen him do that and it’s sort-of a given these days, but then – Techno seemed to be able to see whoever… you alright, man?” He stops talking, instead he becomes concerned with the state of the other’s wings: they’re puffed up and have two additional ones that have sprouted out down below.

“He could see Her?” Phil’s voice is breathy and a little choked up, and when Dream looks closer his eyes are watery.

“Her?” He questions but receives no response.

“Techno,” Phil approaches the bed, holding a hand out for the other to sniff at it before resting his head on top of the other’s open palm. “You saw Her? Did she speak to you?”

A couple of moments of silence and then the Piglin nods, finally comprehending the question and answering it.

“It’s been so long,” Phil grins, a single tear making it down his face. “I, ah, apologies, Dream. This is just a bit of… family drama, you could say.”

“Um, that’s fine, just… you know, are you guys okay?” He asks again just to make sure nothing is wrong.

“Yes, yes. Her, um, my wife, the Goddess of Death. The last time he saw her was years ago.” Phil chuckles weakly, wiping at his face and leaning down to press his forehead against the Piglin’s. “She misses him but she understands how important not dying is to him and that staying ahead of the demon’s he’s trying to outrun takes priority.”

Dream’s jaw drops a little at the casual way Philza has just relayed to him that he’s married to the Goddess of Death. “There’s a lot I don’t know about you two, huh?” He shakes his head as Phil laughs faintly.

“Not many people know anything at all about us. You’re one of the few that knows even this much. And…” Phil eyes him with a fond smile that takes Dream aback some. “Maybe you’ll get to learn more eventually.”

“Well, I know better than to pry.” He shrugs, wondering what that could mean.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to take that tea another time, I have somewhere to be.” Philza grins and shakes out his wings. “Call out to the crows if anything changes with Techno and they’ll find me.”

“The crows, of course.” He raises his eyebrow, not really surprised at this new bit of information considering the amount of birds always following the two.

“I’ll see you later, Dream!” In a flurry of black feathers Philza leaves his cave dwelling before he can even say a proper goodbye.

“Um, that was abrupt.” He shrugs and watches as Techno finally drags his heavy body out of bed, walking past Dream and bumping their bodies together before settling at the table, ready for breakfast.

“Yesterday was big for you, huh, bud?” He scratches under Techno’s chin and the Piglin rumbles, pleased at the attention. “Guess I better get you food, then.”

Nothing happens to Techno the entire day and they go about their schedule as they previously have. Dream cooks, does some chores, tries to work out and do some sword work but get interrupted by Techno and ends up trying to brawl the Piglin – losing horribly in the end.

It is at sunset that it happens.

He’s trying to read a book to Techno, something he’d picked up months ago at the market but never got around to starting when the Piglin bolts upright, getting to his feet and pacing in a tight circle.

Dream, who’s found himself inexplicably draped in the other’s red cape again, watches in horror as the other’s body begins morphing. The snapping of bones, the shedding of hair and whatever the fuck is going on with the other’s skin – it’s all a gruesome sight but he can’t look away.

After many excruciating moments and a roar of pain that sends Dream’s teeth rattling inside his mouth and his blood freezing, Techno drops to the ground. He rushes towards the prone figure and turns him onto his back, checking the other’s now-human features over and breathing a sigh of relief when there’s nothing outwardly wrong with the hybrid. He’s back to being his tall, long-haired, ripped self and Dream couldn’t be happier.

“Oh, thank fuck.” He slaps the other’s cheek lightly. “Wake up, dickhead.”

Fingers grip his wrist before his palm can connect with the other’s face a second time. The other’s eyes blink open but they’re that same heightened red as before. But more importantly, there’s very little recognition in them – there’s very little human in them.

“Techno, bud. You’re squeezing me kinda hard.” He swallows dryly, certain that the other’s fingers are going to leave a couple of nice bruises on his skin. The hybrid looks at where he has his fingers wrapped around Dream’s wrist and flexes his hand, making Dream suck in a sharp breath at the creaking of his own bones. Techno could snap him like a fucking twig and never has he been more aware of this than now.

Techno tugs, making Dream’s knees buckle and ending with him straddling the Piglin’s waist.

“Hey, uh. What’s up?” He croaks awkwardly, extra aware of all the places his body is touching the hybrid’s. It makes something hot coil in the pit of his stomach and unfortunately he knows exactly what it is.

The hybrid’s other hand reaches up and with a sharp claw, severs the strap of Dream’s mask. The porcelain clatters to the floor and he fights the urge to turn away. Techno has already seen his face, there’s no need for secrecy, but it’s a reflex at this point. The claw hovers around his face before pressing against the spot where his dimple appears when he smiles.

“You’re still not here with me, huh?” He gently touches the other’s jawline with his free hand, running his nails lightly against the smooth skin and watching as Techno’s eyes flutter closed. “Oh.” He breathes out heavily, relaxing a little as Techno’s hold on him loosens. “Yeah, you’re still just a housecat.”

This is good. This is okay.

No, this is so much worse than when other was full Piglin. At least when the other was in his Piglin form Dream could ignore how unfairly attractive Techno usually is. George was right, he hates to admit it. He’s gotten to be a professional at ignoring how attracted he is to Techno; for his sake, and the sake of their friendship/rivalry, he’s wilfully ignorant to the fact. But now, that he’s practically seated in the other’s lap, it’s almost impossible to be so obtuse. He reels his hormones back in because Techno still isn’t all there, he’s still mostly feral and running on instinct, he can’t let himself think about him like that right now.

The hybrid pushes up until he’s sitting with Dream still straddling him. And now they’re face to face. Which is somehow even worse. The other’s got a mighty frown marring his scared face, tugging his mouth down. He seems confused about something, but what it is, he can’t possibly know. Techno’s an enigma when he’s himself; like this, the Piglin hybrid is unpredictable at best.

“What’s up, Bacon?” He smiles, hoping to ease the other somehow and it works – at least he thinks it did. Because Techno’s frown eases and a pout replaces it, something almost fond in his eyes now. The Piglin tips forward, nudging his nose against Dream’s pulse point. His pulse coincidentally jumps at the contact and he flushes. He doesn’t have his mask to hide behind this time but Techno doesn’t seem to be paying attention.

“It’s getting pretty late, aren’t you tired?” He hushes, afraid of speaking too loudly. “Wanna go to sleep?” He offers, hoping it’ll be enough to get him out of this situation.

A miscalculation on his part, really. Because Techno just stands up with him in his arms and Dream has no other choice than to let the hybrid carry him to bed, wrapping his legs around the man’s waist to feel more secure.

“Not what I had in mind, but, um.” The hybrid sets him at the edge of the bed and stands up, still looming over him menacingly. He swallows as the other grips his face with a wide hand. It’s a situation not unlike the one from the first day except there’s no armor for Dream to take off. Except this time, he can recognize the heat in the other’s eyes. He surges up and out of the other’s grip.

“I have to – to go tell the crows!” He darts around the other’s tall figure, fast enough to avoid the hands reaching for him again and runs for the door. He manages to get out of the cave where he promptly collapses against the entrance, breathing heavily as his heart rabbits inside his chest – and not only because of the running.

“Fuck, okay.” He takes a deep, calming breath to center himself. “Okay. Calm. Calm.” He stands up and dusts himself off, looking out into the forest at the bottom of his mountain.

“Hey, um, crows!” He calls, feeling incredibly stupid. “Philza’s crows?” He yells and receives the sounds of commotion back as a murder of crows flies out of the forest and starts circling him. “Hi, guys, uh. Can you go tell Phil that Techno transformed back but he’s, um, still feral?”                               

A chorus of caws meets his ears and the crows form a sort of bird… made out of birds (?) and fly away in the direction of L’Manburg. He cringes a little at the thought of anyone seeing him talking to birds and prepares to go back inside – where Techno, who’s very humanlike now, is awaiting for him.

He creeps back into the cave, taking care not to let the door slam shut as he usually would. With skillfully silent footsteps he makes his way down the long hallway. He doesn’t know why he’s sneaking around, it’s his fucking house, but the thought of Techno jumping him and manhandling him against the nearest surface for cuddles or whatever the other is accosting him for. And he says accosting, but he doesn’t really – well. It’s a complicated situation, isn’t it? Now that he’s faced with a mostly-human Techno, with George’s words echoing around in the back of his head, he can’t help but feeling like he’s taking advantage of the other’s strange affection to fuel his own infatuation. Even if he’s trying to keep their interactions as innocent as possible, Techno seems to be implying a lot more with his unregulated touches and actions than whatever’s on the surface.

Techno is – he’s shirtless when Dream finally enters the cavern. He falters, heart slamming against his ribcage as he takes in the myriad of scars littering the other’s skin. There’s so many of them. A lot of them overlap, some are old enough to almost blend into the other’s pale skin and some are still a little red. There are places where the flesh is missing, creating an interesting relief that Dream would like to run his fingers along. He tries valiantly to calm down his rapidly beating heart and approaches the other.

“Techno, bud? Are you okay, where’s your shirt?” He flinches as the other whirls around to face him, still so fucking intense in all of his movements.

“You getting ready for sleep?” He ventures when Techno makes no noise to show he’s comprehended what Dream asked him.

The hybrid squints at him, leaning down until they’re almost nose-to-nose and Dream swallows heavily. The hybrid nudges him with his nose and huffs and then, in an absolutely unhinged motion that Dream will continue to think about for months, grabs him by the hips to steady him and bites the crook of his neck.

Dream freezes under the sharp teeth making indentations in his skin, bruising it easily. He freezes as heat coils in his gut and makes him queasy, makes his knees weak. His breath stutters out of him shakily, his eyes rolling into the back of his head slightly. He flutters all over as Techno keeps holding on to him, the warmth he’s feeling overwhelming all of his senses. Has he been touch starved this entire time, is that what this is? He relaxes against his better judgment, lets Techno hold him and do whatever he pleases with his loose form. He sighs deeply, feeling content for a moment before Techno releases the bite and licks over the wound. He comes to his senses as the tongue makes its way upwards and realizes that this is absolutely not something that should be happening.

He dashes away from the other, putting distance between them and panting, feeling some kind of way about the situation. “No!” He places a hand out to stop Techno from coming closer. “We are absolutely not doing this! You need to keep it in your pants, mister, whatever that was! None of that!”

Techno has the audacity to pout at him, looking sweet and downtrodden, unbearably sad even.

“No.” He puts his foot down. “Now put your shirt back on and we’re going to sleep.” He crosses his arms after pointing to the shirt that’s on the floor by the bed.

Techno looks at it, grimaces, and then kicks off his boots before getting into bed.

He pinches the bridge of his nose and sigh; well, it’s something. It’s a step. But now he has to either risk the other’s ire by trying to sleep on the couch or risk his own sanity by subjecting himself to shirtless cuddles.              

“I’m guessing you’re not – you’re not going to let me sleep on the couch, huh?” He observes the other and watches him wiggle around in bed before reaching a hand out for him.

“Yeah, yeah.” He’s thankful that he chose today out of all the days to stay in his sleep clothes because he can’t imagine stripping while those intense eyes stare at him unblinkingly.

Techno seems calm, though. He has been this entire time. Usually, the hybrid would either talk constantly and often under his breath and he would twitch around at random times. He’s somewhat paranoid, Dream knows this. Knows the hybrid is always on the lookout for people trying to hunt him down and with a price on his head, he understands the need to do so. But he seems almost settled now, relaxed even, unburdened by whatever pressure is constantly on him. Not a thought behind those red eyes.

“You just love staring at me, huh?” He takes the opportunity to stare back. His gaze trails along the scar that bisects the other’s brow and drags down the right side of his face. There’s smaller pockmarked areas of his face as well, almost as if he’d gotten too close to sizzling oil or lava. The bridge of his nose is crooked like it got broken and then healed wrong, a thin scar there as well. There’s stubble on his chin but it’s dark like his eyebrows, contrasting the pink hair. There’s been times where he was this close to Techno but it was always in the heat of the battle or during serious spars.

He sighs and Techno’s eyes flutter closed, hands reaching under the covers and dragging him closer into his warm chest. He closes his eyes as well, resigned to the situation and hoping Philza comes up with a solution eventually.

“I know I said I didn’t want our rivalry to go down this path but this is rather nice.”

His eyes snap open, suddenly aware of an abundance of things all at once: he’s sleeping on someone’s chest, cheek pressed to the skin, there’s an arm squeezing his middle and a steady heartbeat echoing around in his head. There’s a hand in his hair, softly running through his locks. His leg is thrown over a hip. The voice that rumbled him awake clearly belongs to Techno.

“Oh my fucking gods.” He tries to scramble away from the other but Techno has an iron grip on his waist and a vicious grin on his face. This isn’t good.

“Aw, what’s wrong, Dream? You were all comfy and cuddly just yesterday! Don’t tell me you don’t want snuggles now!” The hybrid croons and Dream mourns the loss of a silent Techno that wouldn’t do this to him.

“Yeah and you – you were!” He trails off, eyes refusing to meet the now again intelligent rubies. “You were full Piglin! And stubborn! And…” He quiets a little with a pout. “Very strong.”

“I’m always very strong.” Techno replies automatically but croons at Dream.

“How much, uh, do you remem- would you let me get up, please? How much do you remember?” He hisses as Techno scrapes his nails along his scalp.

“Hm,” The other pretends to think it over. “No.”

“You fucker, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re enjoying this.” He retaliates by flicking one of Techno’s pointy ears.

“I remember most of it.” Techno hums, letting his head drop back onto the pillow, hands idly tracing lines along any part of Dream they can get to like he has the right to make him putty in his hold.

“I don’t think – I’ve never told you about the voices, I suppose, but it was quiet. It was finally blessedly quiet inside my head and it was miserable.” Techno sighs with a rueful smile.

“Voices?” He inquires, always starving for new information about the other.

“Yes, the ones in my head. I hear them all the time. They’re usually unhelpful and very opinionated, not to mention critical of everything I do.” The hybrid rolls his eyes. “But they’re there, they’re mine and I’m theirs.”

“There’s so much I don’t know about you guys,” He repeats what he’d said to Philza last time.

“They’re – they’re souls I’ve taken. From before. A lot of them are, at least. Some were gifted to me. This potion… whatever its intended effect was, it was not what it did to me.” Techno sniffles and Dream looks up to see an indignant frown on his face. “It reverted me back to the way I was before. Before Philza and before Her, back when it was just me and the Blood God. Before proper sentience, or, well… more instincts for certain.” The hybrid muses, the hand in his hair twirling wavy strands through his fingers, relaxing Dream despite the intense topic. “I always had more autonomy than the average Piglin due to the hybrid status but the – the understanding was granted to me in the form of the Voices. I learned from them as I reaped them, ran from them whenever they got too close to the surface, was promised retribution if I ever died. Fire and brimstone, all that Jazz.”

He sucks in a breath, hissing lightly as the new information makes its home inside his head, unravelling the mystery of Techno. And the other is just giving him all of this willingly. Something’s wrong here.

He wants to ask thousands of questions, poke and prod until he knows the other inside and out but he settles on only one for now. The most pressing issue.

“Why are you telling me all of this?” It comes out more affronted than he meant and he quickly shuffles until his chin’s resting on the other’s chest instead of his cheek, looking straight at the other. “I mean, I appreciate it. I – it’s good to know more about you, I guess. But you’ve always been so tightlipped about your past that I… it’s weird.”

Techno seems distracted for a moment, none of his pre-transformation jitteriness anywhere to be seen, none of the focus he used to hold. It feels purposeful.

“Because I’ve learned something very interesting in the last couple of days.” The eyes zero back in on his own and he freezes, his own hands feeling like led where they’re crossed under his chin, palms flat against the other’s scarred skin.

“Something you didn’t know? I’m shocked.” He chuckles to try and dispel the tense atmosphere that’s suddenly descended upon them.

“Did you know that sometimes, you smell like green apples?” Techno asks suddenly, a gentle smile on his lips instead of the previous frown. “It’s so sharp and poignant and then other times, it’s caramel apples.”

“You – you and your fucking sniffing, Prime.” He looks away, embarrassed at being analyzed so blatantly. “What did you learn?”

“I learned to differentiate when those scents occur.” Techno says cryptically. “The plus side to being more Piglin than man is that I had no reservations I usually do. And any time I wanted to pin you somewhere, I just did.”

“You – uh. Certainly did… just that.” He feels the heat in his cheeks and Techno closes his eyes, nostrils flaring. The hand in his hair tightens and Dream’s pulse jumps, making the other look at him once again.

“Mm, caramel.” The other chuckles. The other hand moves from his back to his neck and fingers press into the teeth marks there. “Got you good, huh?”

“You’re so weird.” He grimaces, unsure of where they stand and why is techno prolonging his torture like this.

“I should really be offended you treated me like a housecat but these were some of the most relaxing days I’ve had in recent history. I’m not even a little sorry this happened. And, well, I’m also glad you really do have a house.”

“I fucking told you.” He grumbles.

“Yeah, and it’s in the middle of nowhere! Gods above, Dream, it took me a day to get here that first night.” Techno groans loudly, an exaggerated sound.

“Why did you come here in the first place, anyway?”

“I followed the scent of green apples. Seemed like the right thing to do at the time, seemed like a safe scent. Phil was familiar, sure, but he’s busy with his own buddies and with my head being so empty, I needed… constant attention? I guess? I don’t know. It was weird.” The other explains, ears flicking a little.

 “You’re dumb,” He snorts. “Are they back now, the Voices?”

“Yes, they’re also very happy you’re here. They’ve missed you.” The other admits easily and Dream would rather die than do the same out loud even if it’s true.

“We saw each other like a week before this whole thing happened.” He snorts and Techno’s hand moves to cup his cheek.

Dream’s entire world shrinks down to revolve around that touch and how gentle it is. He’s afraid to blink, afraid that if he does, it’ll stop being real.

“We always miss you when you’re gone, Dream.” Techno says easily, an affectionate grin stretching his mouth.

“Techno.” He breathes out finally, hadn’t even realized that he’d stopped breathing, too.

“The difference between the scents is that anytime you’re, hm, excited is the times you smell like caramel apples.” Techno purrs and Dream, once again, becomes aware of the intimate position they’re in. Excited? Does Techno mean- ?

“Wait, um It’s not-”

“Shush, idiot. I wasn’t done talking.” He hand on his face pinches his cheek. “You’ve taken such good care of me, Dream. You fed me and kept me decent and you let me toss you around all I wanted. You even…” Techno’s smile turns sad for a moment. “You helped me see Her again. Even if unintentionally. I think it’s time I take care of you, if you’d be up for that?” Techno offers – Techno is offering him something and Dream doesn’t dare put his own ideas onto the empty plate.

“Yes?” He squeaks, embarrassed.

“You don’t sound sure.” Techno raises an eyebrow at him.

“I’m just not sure what you’re offering, I guess.” He feels like an idiot, he feels out of depth and feels like a teenager in comparison to Techno’s cool and collected demeanor. He didn’t know the other was so fucking suave.

“I’m offering myself to you, Dream. My devotion, care, worship, anything you want.”

It’s stated so bluntly that it almost gives Dream whiplash. He scampers up until he’s kneeling by the other’s side, looking him dead in the eye. “You what?”

“Are you this dense with everyone or am I the exception?” Techno sits up a little, the sheet slipping down to his waist, drawing Dream’s eyes downwards for a moment.

“What?”

“Dream, man, you’re making this very difficult by being purposefully obtuse. You like me, no? You have feelings for me?” Techno’s hands make it back to his cheeks.

"I-" He tries to protest but every sound dies on his lips under Techno's scrutiny. 

"It's alright, Dream." The other coos sweetly. "If you can't admit it at the moment, it's fine. But know that I feel the same and would like to see where this thing leads the two of us together." 

Dream's stumped. In all of his months spent pining over the other, he never expected it to be requited. "Techno, what? Since when? Wh-" He wants to say more but words fail him at the moment. 

"You've always been someone I admired, Dream. You're so strong and so caring when you want to be. Even if it weren't for the Voices and my instincts telling me you're perfect, I would be able to see it. You're amazing and I love fighting alongside you, against you, anywhere in your vicinity." Techno takes in a long drag of air again and grins sharply. "You make my life so much more interesting and if you know anything about Piglins is that they appreciate all of these traits in their partners. Very much so."

He's sure he's smelling like a whole candy store right about now with the praise washing over him in waves, making him warm. 

"You never said anything."

"I don't know, you seemed busy. Preoccupied with other things and other... People. I didn't want to intrude." Techno's fingers go back to tracing the bite mark and something feral sparks in his eyes again, a look Dream is very familiar with by now.

"And then I'm the dumb one. Didn't you hear George? I barely see them anymore, all I'm ever there for is you." He fiddles with the covers idly, wondering if they're hurtling towards something that will destroy both of them or make them blossom, make them bloom.

"Remind me to apologize and thank him, I was out of line." Techno clears his throat, looking a little uncomfortable for the first time since this conversation had started. 

"You - you were jealous, weren't you?" Something curls inside him, pleased more than it should be at the notion.

"Yeah. A baseless thought, really. It's just the - the instincts. Very protective. You know how it is." 

"Sure, buddy." He grins and Techno rolls his eyes. 

"You gonna kiss me or what, Dre?" Techno taunts and Dream's entire body buzzes as he leans forward to oblige.

The kiss is slow, cautious, both of them trying to figure out what feels the best. It's comfortable and slow until Techno presses on the bruise and pries Dream's mouth open on the gasp that he releases. Then it's as wild and untamed as Techno himself and Dream relishes in finally being allowed to enjoy being pinned under the other and being manhandled like he weighed nothing at all.

They don't leave the bed until the afternoon. Around two p.m. Dream gets hungry and remembers to go let the crows know about the situation so he does that and when he comes back Techno is staring at his hands again, popping his knuckles.

"What's wrong?" He asks, approaching the other and burying his hands in the other's hair. Their eyes meet and Techno's gaze holds him captive. 

"I can't believe you would have slept with me even if I was mostly pig." 

"You fucking dickhead!" 

"That's true love, baby."

"Shut the fuck up!"