Dream slept more soundly than he had in months, feeling safe in Techno's home. He was awoken to the sound of the smoke alarm, however, and he saw his best friend poking the smoke alarm with a broom whilst cursing. Eyes darting to the stove, he saw a pile of pancakes, a plate of bacon, and a smoking pan. With all these factors, he decided that this was most likely the cause of the alarm. Sitting up and rubbing his eyes, he saw Techno put down the broom and open windows in hopes of clearing out the smoke.
"I mean, I know I was sound asleep, but there are easier ways to wake me up," Dream said, laughing softly and then coughing due to the inhaled smoke.
Technoblade whipped around, panic leaving his face as he smiled. "Good morning. Sorry 'bout that. I was just trying to make breakfast, but as you know, I still can't make hash browns."
"No offense, but why do you even try?" Dream asked as he folded the blankets he had slept with.
He looked up just in time to see Techno flipping him off and he laughed. "How did you sleep Dream?" Techno asked, avoiding the question.
"Umm… Really well actually. I don't think I remember the last time I slept so soundly. Thank you for letting me spend the night here. I promise it won't be a regular thing," he said.
"And I promise that that will be a promise you break within twenty-four hours. Dream, you're staying here until we can get you your own place. Hell, you don't even have to pay rent. I would rather you save and have a safe place."
Dream wisely didn't argue, sensing that it would be rather pointless. Techno had made his position clear and he didn't see Dream as a burden in any way. While Dream greatly appreciated it, he also couldn't help, but fear that he would suddenly change his mind and that Dream would then lose one of his only friends. Stacking the pillows and blankets on one side of the couch, he joined Techno in the kitchen, almost instantly being handed a plate of bacon and pancakes.
"Eat. You have work in an hour. I don't think you have your uniform on you either."
Dream shook his head. "I can change at work, it's okay," he pulled a fork out of a drawer. "Thank you for food."
Techno nodded and took the final, and slightly burned, pancake off the skillet. He placed it on his own stack before sitting at the table with Dream. He pretended not to notice the forced restraint of Dream. The man was trying not to just inhale his food as Techno guessed he wanted to. A heavy feeling of guilt set over him as he remembered that just a little bit of openness could have prevented the last three years for Dream.
"These are really good," Dream muttered through a mouthful of pancake and Techno laughed.
"Thanks. Anywhere specific you want to go after work?" he asked.
Dream swallowed and shook his head. "I didn't think about it that much. I figured you would have changed your mind by now and so I didn't even consider options."
"When have I ever changed my mind on things like this before?" Techno deadpanned and all Dream did was shrug before eating another bite.
He was struggling to be honest right now. If he was to tell his friend exactly what he was thinking, he knew that he would get in trouble with Techno, and to top it all off, he was fairly certain that he already knew Dream's every thought. Finishing his food first, Dream took his plate to the kitchen, knowing that the least he could do was clean up. He had the time as his work was only five minutes from here. His car was ten, but it would be okay. Techno placed his plate next to the sink just a few minutes later.
"I'm going to go get dressed. I'll be right out in a few minutes."
Dream nodded, head-turning to watch the English major leave. He went right back to the dishes, words spinning in his head. There was a lot of doubt inside him at this moment, unsure if he should allow himself to feel safe. He had know Techno for years, yes, but he had also been highly betrayed by the people who had sworn to be his friends. It seemed reasonable to be careful. Technoblade came out just a few minutes later, staying true to his word, and filled up a water bottle.
"So I know you work six days a week. Your one day off was yesterday right?"
"Yeah, it's almost always on Saturday unless something happens. I hate this job though. It pays like shit," Dream muttered. "You have classes tomorrow right?"
"I do. Is that at all a problem?" Techno asked, leaning up against the counter.
Dream closed and started the dishwasher. "Not at all. Just checking."
"Anyhow, I do think we need to be going. I'll stop by later today and check on everything," he said with a smile.
"You always do that Techno, you aren't required to. I can take care of myself after all," Dream answered.
Technoblade shrugged dismissively. "Oh well, green boy. You're stuck with me. Besides? Who says I only come by to see you? I happen to truly enjoy their food."
Dream rolled his eyes, sliding his shoes on, refusing to untie the laces as he claimed it would take longer than just forcing his feet in them. It had been something Techno had teased him about for years, but now he questioned if it was the reason Dream claimed or if because he was paranoid about losing something and not have the money to replace it. He had been in Dream's car a handful of times, and he had never seen extra clothes or shoes or even blankets. The most that there had ever been was work clothes and occasionally a small bag of trash. It did not have the telltale signs of someone living in it.
Technoblade locked the door behind them, handing Dream's keys to him, holding up the key he had used to lock the door. "I added this to your keyring. I figured if you're going to be living here, you might as well have a key to get in."
Dream took the keys, shoving them into his hoodie pocket, smiling softly. "Thanks, Techno."
Techno nodded and they both got in his car, Dream sinking further into his lime green hoodie, the blond mop of hair covering his eyes. Resisting the urge to reach over and sweep it out of his best friend's face, Techno focused on the road ignoring the butterflies dancing in his stomach. Rolling down his window, hoping some cool air would help settle his stomach, the smell of autumn flooding the car, his own pink hair fluttering in the wind.
In the passenger's seat, Dream couldn't help but stare at his friend. He had always had strong feelings towards Techno, most going past just friends. Part of him didn't want to admit these feelings as he knew that they were part of why he was now homeless. When his parents had learned that he identified as gay they had been highly upset by it. It had led to him having two days to get out of their house and they had found out due to the letter he was going to give Technoblade. When that happened, however, he never ended up giving the letter to his friend, and seeing the disastrous result of the letter being found, he decided it wasn't worth the risk at all.
Pulling up to the old green Camry, Dream let out a soft sigh. "Thank you Techno. I appreciate it all."
"I'll see you after work. I have some homework I forgot about so I probably won't get to stop by today," the pinkette said.
"It's no worries. It's Sunday, so it'll be overly busy anyways. You know how it is. All the families coming in wanting the coffee-free cold brew for their children and sugar-free whipped cream on their caramel lattes," he shook his head.
This was normal. This he was used to. Complaining about the shitty customers he dealt with to Techno and leaving his house happy. Techno was lucky. He owned his house thanks to coming from rich relatives. He remembered Technoblade joking about coming from royalty, but Dream wouldn't have been surprised if it was true. He didn't have to work, he owned his home, and he had a fully paid scholarship with a line of jobs waiting for him after he graduated. Technoblade was so well set up for life after school and Dream couldn't help, but be a bit jealous.
"Well, I guess I'll see you later," he said softly, opening his car door and getting in.
Techno backed out first and Dream followed him about four blocks before they went separate ways. As Dream pulled in for work, he felt a bit of sadness go through him as he grabbed his uniform and rushed in the employee's only door, darting to the bathroom. He really did not want to be here today, but he was reliable and he didn't feel like getting fired today.
He clocked in, falling onto the bar mindlessly, knowing it was the easiest position when his mindset was like this. He couldn't focus on the job completely and he knew that at least twice within the first four hours he gave two-percent milk to customers who asked for nonfat. Dream didn't care at all, only awakening from his automatic drink-making when his favorite regular besides Techno came in, always loving the chance to talk to Martha. Part of him expected Technoblade to walk through the door any moment now and order his normal cold brew. It would normally be about this time that he came in anyways. Even with the knowledge that Techno wasn't coming and that he would be seeing him later that afternoon, his day just didn't feel complete. When 2:30 hit, he clocked out immediately, removing his apron and work clothes in favor of Techno's shirt and his old lime green hoodie.
He arrived back at his friend's home around 2:45, knocking on the door, even with the ability to just open the door with the key now. Techno answered in, grinning when he saw the blond-haired man. "You know, the key on your keyring isn't just for show. It works too."
"Oh shut up," Dream laughed, meeting the ruby eyes with a small smile.
"Get in here nerd," he tugged Dream in, their eyes locked in the others. "Let's eat a snack and then we'll get ready to go shopping."
Giving a small nod, Dream didn't even entertain the thought of arguing, find his gaze falling over Techno's prominent features, resting on his soft pink lips. Shaking his head slightly as if he was bothered by the blond mop of hair in his eyes, he tore his eyes away. Dream allowed a bigger smile to appear on his lips, nodding eagerly.
"That sounds like a wonderful plan. I'm famished," he said, a phrase that Technoblade was very familiar with.
Short shifts where he didn't get breaks always resulted in a hungry Dream and since more often than not Dream ended up at Techno's place after work, he was used to either ordering takeout or simply snacking on whatever was available as they played Minecraft together. Whilst digging through his kitchen cabinet, Techno realized that nine times out of ten, Dream was the one to pay for takeout for the two of them. Despite being homeless, he had never once allowed himself to take advantage of his friend's kindness. Now aware of the fear Dream had of doing so, it made complete sense.
"You know what, how about we just grab something while we are out today?" he stood up straight, looking at the young man who had naturally gravitated towards his chair. "I still haven't gone food shopping and as a result, there is still as much food in the house as there was last night. Well, less if we count the breakfast we ate together this morning."
"If you say so," Dream shrugged. "I can wait until dinner. I don't mind."
"I wouldn't make you do that. Let me go put on shoes real quick and we'll be on our way," Technoblade disappeared down the hallway for about two minutes, enough time to let Dream sink into his chair more, feeling safer than ever before.
When the English major once again appeared, Dream stood and smiled. Techno picked up his keys, shoving his wallet and phone into one of his jean pockets. "Alright then. To the car we go."
Quickly exiting the house and loading into Technoblade's car, Dream and Techno had relaxed in the presence of the other greatly, leading to a fairly quiet car ride for the first few minutes. Techno rolled down his window like he had this morning, the wind catching the few loose ends that hadn't made it into his braid this morning, and eventually turned up the volume on a song he liked. His eyes seemed to sparkle and Dream's world went completely silent as he watched the pinkette's head tilt back, vibing to the song. At that moment, Dream became aware of the bliss he was in and allowed himself to hope that this was something he could have forever.
Hello again and thank you once more for reading. I hope you enjoyed and if you have any suggestions or comments please leave them in review! Thanks once more!
Best Regards,
PFT3000