I'm like 1k words done with the next requests, then this AU comes out of the shadow and hits me over the head with a baseball bat.
Premise: current canon but slightly to the left - main difference being Ranboo was revived and lives with Tubbo and Michael in the arctic commune. Also, bedrockbros reconciliation happened and Tommy moved in with Wilbur and Phil.
Then The Egg comes back.
It infects all of them, but can't control Techno and Ranboo. Thankfully there are other ways to get them out the way...
After much too long of tearing at them, Technoblade manages to remove enough of the vines to expose the rough cobblestone beneath.
Red tissue sticks under his nails, strange mucous plant fluid staining his hands. It smells saccharine and makes his head hurt.
He spares a glance for Ranboo, stretched out on Techno's cape in the corner. Technoblade suspects the dose they gave him was higher, or his body hasn't adjusted to it as well. He's been asleep for what feels like hours now - not that Techno could tell the time in this place.
With not much else he can do, he starts wrenching at the rocks too. There should be tunnels around the room, what they used to access the Syndicate chamber previously. If Techno can open up a gap, it would be easy to escape.
He hasn't been able to hear chat for a while either, their voices a drop in the ocean among the constant crimson whispers. And he blames what happens next on their absence. They would have warned him.
The door opens, bringing with it pale white light to contrast with the constant warm hues of the redstone lamps. Techno's eyes have become used to the dimness, making him almost squint at the bright intrusion.
He doesn't want to turn around but it's already too late.
"Technoblade, what are you doing?" Phil asks from the top of the staircase.
There's no need for him to answer, the question purely rhetorical in nature. Phil sounds concerned, confused, a little tired. Much too close to his usual self.
Techno wishes they'd become unrecognizable, then this would be easier.
He sits back, knowing it's over. He's been caught. Tubbo has come down and is occupying himself in the corner. Cooing over Ranboo, pulling the enderman closer so his head is resting in Tubbo's lap. Techno looks away, unable to keep watching a warped scene of such casual tenderness.
"You broke the wall," Phil says, hovering behind him and casting a shadow. His voice is fond, chastising with no heat. "Mate, do you have any idea how long I spent on that?"
Techno still doesn't answer. He doesn't want to talk to them.
When Phil puts a hand on his shoulder, he flinches.
"Stop."
Phil ignores him. "It's fine, we'll just fix that up then. Wil?"
"Stop!" Techno says again, louder despite how much his throat aches. "Don't-"
Phil's embrace closes around him, pinning his arms to his sides. Techno attempts to struggle, to push him off, but the drugs have left him weak and dizzy, muscles dragged down by sedation. He can't muster up the strength needed, not when Phil holds him tight.
Effortlessly, he's dragged into Phil's chest. He can feel a heartbeat against his spine, slow and controlled. A contrast to Techno's pulse running rampant with panic.
"Techno, it's okay." Phil presses his cheek against Techno's own. A gesture that would have brought so much comfort mere days ago now has him squirming, cold and empty. "I know you're not happy, but we're doing this to help remember?"
"Stop it!" Techno begs, watching Wilbur step into his line of sight. He's staring at the wall, at Techno's pitiful hope of getting out.
Then he raises a hand and just like that the red vines grow back, covering whatever progress Techno spent hours on making in a matter of seconds.
Techno slumps back into Phil's hold, defeated.
Phil chirps softly, using one hand to brush through his hair. It feels like a reward for his compliance and Techno hates it.
"Are you homesick? We could bring Steve down here, have him keep you guys company?"
"Leave him alone," Techno says, wavering. As nice a thought it would be, he's not going to condemn anything else to this miserable room.
"I'll think of something else," Phil promises. "I'll just… I'll figure something out, okay? But maybe it's better if you sleep for a while." He's still petting Techno's hair, careful and steady. A perfect distraction from Wilbur's movement. But even so Techno notices the flower blossoming in his palms, being brought closer to his face.
Cloying sweetness fills his nostrils and it makes him renew his struggling.
"No!" He tries to turn his head to the side, away from the scent. But Wilbur grabs his chin - not too harsh, not trying to hurt him but firm enough to force him closer to it. He keeps it there even as Techno holds his breath, knowing it won't help.
Wilbur shakes his head at him. "Come on Tech, don't be difficult."
They wait. Sooner rather than later he'll have to inhale.
When he does, the scent alone is enough to make him gag. Its syrupy fragrance washes over everything else. Techno's head is spinning, he tries to kick his leg at Wilbur in a desperate attempt to make him back off.
The limb doesn't do much more than twitch, too heavy to be moved.
The rest of his body isn't far behind. It's pliant, weighed down. Techno can't think through the warm, sticky feeling flooding his mind. Phil is the only thing keeping him upright, pleased trills building in his chest. "There you go, you're okay. You're safe."
Techno wants to scream.
The only thing that comes out is a whimper, small and pathetic.
When darkness comes, Techno welcomes it.