Requested by Chaotic_idiot11: Techno protecting Phil and getting hurt

It was terrifying how quickly things could get out of hand.

What had simply been a conversation one moment – albeit a tense one undercut with sharp words and ill-concealed threats – had become something so much more dangerous in seconds. The mood shifted like a tide and then swords were being pulled and Technoblade was ever so grateful that he never went anywhere without equipment.

They were outnumbered five to two, horribly unprepared for a battle and if that made the voices in his head run rampant, exhilarated by the thought of having the odds stacked against him, then Techno would just be glad somebody was seeing the silver lining in this situation.

He brought his blade up just in time to block the oncoming blow, clashing metal against metal as George's sword traced the edges of Techno's own. The next strike had the other man jumping back, smartly putting some distance between them. Techno pushed forward to throw him off balance, but his eyes were aimed elsewhere.

Phil-

Technoblade had lost track of him as the chaos broke out and was desperately searching for the familiar flurry of a dark green haori in the fray. They hadn't been wearing armor, nor was there the opportunity to throw some on now. Techno wanted to curse his own lack of foresight.

He pulled his attention back in time to counter the next attack, spinning with the motion, and then his sword was buried deep in George's leg, twisting for more leverage. Techno tried not to enjoy the pained cry of his fallen foe too much.

He turned around and there was Phil, barely holding off both Dream and Sapnap by himself. He was doing well, considering the circumstances, but blood was sliding down his arm from a shoulder wound, slicking up his fingers and Techno wasted no time pushing over to help his friend.

He was only partway there when he saw Dream raise his weapon.

And Phil, who was still too busy blocking the other strikes coming at him, who would have no chance to react in time.

Instinct took over, the voicing still caught up in waves of euphoria over the thrill of the battlefield suddenly changing their tune into a more defensive stance. Protect! Move! Help Phil!

Technolate! some already cried mockingly.

Before he could register how his feet propelled into motion he had committed to it and Technoblade felt the warmth of Phil's back pressed against his own a split second before the axe started its descent. It traced a line of white-hot pain across Techno's body, dragging sideways over his sternum and it almost felt like nothing, the barest little paper cut. Technoblade forced himself forward to fight off Dream.

But it was the movement that jolted him and then it erupted, the small pinpricks of pain becoming vast and overwhelming suddenly and Techno became aware of the blood pouring out of him, the cut across his midriff torn open.

Oh

Ignoring how much it hurt, ignoring his mind screaming at him to stop before he made it even worse - ignoring the voices chanting for more blood - Technoblade continued his push forward until he could feel his sword sink deep into the soft part of Dream's stomach.

He drew back quickly and turned before he could think. Phil was staring at him while still defending against his own opponent, something almost panicked on his face when he caught Technoblade's eyes. Pale and worried.

Techno coughed and there was the taste of blood on his tongue.

His knees buckled involuntarily, the wave of lightheadedness hitting him with the force of a wall as he crumpled to the ground unbidden.

He thought he heard Phil call his name before everything slipped to black.

Rage burnt its way along Phil's veins, making his muscles tense and wired. It had been a while but he welcomed it, grasped at that anger like it was a tether – the only thing keeping him connected to the world before it could slip loose.

Phil knew how to let it fester inside him.

The thing was, most people got so distracted by Technoblade's reputation, by the Blood God persona and all it entailed which struck fear in the hearts of many, they often forgot Philza had been known as the Angel of Death for a reason.

He didn't enjoy fighting – or killing – in the same way Techno did. But he knew how to be scarily adept at it when he wanted to be.

Taking care of Sapnap first, throwing a punch hard enough to send the other man sprawling flat on his ass onto the ground, Phil instantly was at the collapsed Techno's side. Adjusting his stance and pulling his shoulders back, he raised his sword slightly. A challenge to whoever would try to approach. His wings had unfurled behind him, an intimidating presence.

The anger anchored and it almost made all else fade away. The wound in his shoulder barely even hurt Phil anymore, mind honing in on a single goal, a single purpose.

If anybody so much as looked at Techno right now Phil would be sure to slit their throat.

Their enemies seemed to understand his unspoken message and with Dream out of commission, it wasn't long before they tucked tail and scampered off. Phil stood for a moment more, breath coming out in short pants he could hardly push down. It wasn't until he was sure they were safe that he fell down on his knees next to the piglin hybrid.

Carefully, Phil turned Techno over onto his back. His entire chest was stained red with blood, making it nearly impossible to distinguish his shirt from his cape at this point. Phil cursed softly and started digging in his inventory for a potion. He had to have something that could help?

Relief flooded his system as his fingers closed around the solid glass of a regen, pulling it out and fumbling with the cork in his haste. Hesitating, Phil knew drinking a potion would be the most effective way to administer it, but that would clearly be out of the question. He tipped the bottle sideways and spilled it along the gash, hoping desperately that it would be enough.

Phil waited, not even noticing how hard he was straining to catch every single one of Techno's labored inhales until it started to physically hurt. "Come on," he muttered, the guilt a tight coil in his gut. His hands were still clamped onto Techno's shoulders. "Mate, don't do this to me-"

He didn't know what he would do if Technoblade died because of him.

A sharp cough shook him and then Technoblade's entire body was curling into itself in pain. Phil held him down, trying to make soothing noises to reassure the other and keep him from hurting himself any further. The potion would have stopped the worst of the bleeding, but they needed to get back home and fix Techno up properly.

"Phil?" Techno slurred his name, having considerable difficulty with the single syllable. His eyes were half-lidded, glossed over with pain.

"I'm here," Phil said, moving one of his hands from Techno's shoulder to his wrist, squeezing it reassuringly. "I'm right here, I'm fine."

Technoblade grunted, hitching another breath. "S'good

Feeling his own fear slowly simmer back to a more manageable level, Phil sighed. "We'll give it a minute more, then we have to leave. Think you can manage that?" He got a nod in response. "You scared me," he admitted, and then he was pressing his forehead against Techno's, trying not to notice how cold his skin was. "Don't ever do that again, alright?"

"Oh, hm? Sure." The answer came too quick, which meant Phil knew it wasn't carefully considered. There probably wasn't an argument in the world that would keep Technoblade from jumping headfirst into danger for Phil's sake.

But all he needed was a modicum of belief. Even if it was a lie.

Phil just didn't want to consider otherwise.