That night had been one of Dream's worst. After calling 911, he had managed to make contact with the other driver, who whilst in rough shape, was breathing and awake. However, the smoke coming from Techno's car along with it being upside down, made it impossible to see how he was doing. Dream had called his name several times and had received no answer. A part of him was in pure panic as he tried to distract himself by helping the other driver. It was an hour before a fire truck pulled up, sirens blaring. Relief washed over him at the sight, knowing that someone was finally able to help.

A fireman took over the situation with the second driver whilst four others worked to retrieve Technoblade from the car. In the meanwhile, Dream anxiously paced in front of his car until a police car and two ambulances arrived. One ambulance took back off with the second driver whilst the last fireman went to help with the extraction. Dream was pulled out of his destructive pacing as a police officer approached him.

"Are you the one who called the accident in?" the lady asked softly, doing her best not to startle him.

"I am. I didn't see it, but I heard it. Is he okay?"

"Technoblade? We don't know his state as of yet. They don't have him out. But hopefully, everything will go okay. Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Yes, yes go ahead," he muttered.

The conversation continued for several minutes before a fireman shouted for a medic. Three medics pushing a stretcher rushed forward, Dream following close behind, no longer caring about anything the officer had to say. He could feel his heart stop as they pulled a broken, bloodied Techno from the wreckage.

A medic quickly took his pulse and checked his breathing as everyone else worked to strap him down. "He's alive, but needs to be in the emergency room now," the medic said.

The paramedics lined back up to push the stretcher, two of the firemen helping. Dream stood in the middle of the ditch, car smoking and lights flashing. He watched the man he considered to be the love of his life be taken away, too stunned to say anything. The police officer placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, trying to bring his attention back to her.

"Can this wait? I need to follow them. I need to be there for him," he tried to step away.

She nodded. "The questions can wait, but I will escort you back home. There's nothing more you can do for him tonight."

Dream took a shaky breath but nodded. Even if he hated to admit it, the officer was right. There was nothing he could do for Technoblade right now. Watching as the firemen ensured that they would be no fire from either of the destroyed vehicles, he unlocked his car, turning off his hazards. The police officer followed him back to the house that felt more dark and lonely than ever before. As he pulled into the driveway and got out, he saw the officer wave and watch him get in the house before driving off.

Closing the door behind him, Dream hit a light switch. The living room lit up, the room seeming dull and lifeless despite its name. It felt wrong to be here. Existing here without Techno was wrong. Dream dropped his keys on the kitchen counter as he walked by, going directly to the chair that sat in the corner of the room. Sinking into it, the tears finally fell. Everything here reminded him of Techno. Everything had been going so well. They had just had their first date, they almost kissed, Dream had a job he loved and Techno was doing amazing in school.

It felt as if the world had truly turned against him. As if the universe saw him smiling finally and couldn't let that be. The sobs could not be stopped, pure pain consuming Dream as he fell into the depressive mindset he had avoided for months. Thankfully, the universe took pity on his soul for the night, allowing him to slip into a peaceful sleep, for the night.

—

As the morning light shown through the windows, Dream felt rattled. The world looked off, almost as if someone had placed an overlay gray on everything. The blonde felt way too aware of the sense of being alone. The house felt desolate, causing Dream to shiver as he looked around. Deep down, he hoped that Techno would come out of the bathroom with wet hair and a wide grin, or maybe the smoke detectors would go off, causing the pinkette to burst out while cursing about burning the hash browns.

But that wasn't how the world worked. If Dream expected any solace to happen today he was going to have to attempt to brave the hospital. Whilst never an ideal situation, it did seem to be his only one. So he picked himself up, feeling as if his soul wanted nothing more than to turn tail and run. Getting ready was a mess. Part of him felt as if the gravity of the Earth was pulling him in, making each step heavier and every breath harder.

The worst part, however, was the sound. It was too quiet. His ears strained to hear anything and even what he did hear sounded muffled. The text alert on his phone to the jingling of his keys as he locked the front door. Everything felt as if he was listening through a wall. Clear, but quiet. Excluded. Alone. Painfully alone. Starting up his car, Dream's mind went on autopilot as he headed towards the hospital.

How he got there was truly a mystery by itself. He remembered suddenly being in an elevator to Techno's room, guided by a nurse. The nurse had been saying something, but Dream's mind only tuned in in time to hear the very last part.

"… he may not be up to talk much. He had a rough night and it would surprise me to even see him awake. But I hope it goes well. Room 408 is the last one on the left," the nurse said as the door opened.

"Oh, um, thank you, ma'am," he muttered, stepping off and heading down the hallway in the direction she had pointed.

Indeed, the last room on the left was room 408. The door was closed, with only a small window allowing him a view in. No one else was there, but Techno laid in the bed, pink hair distinct. Dream took a deep breath, knocking quietly before entering. In the bed, laid a beaten-looking Technoblade, head half-shaved, and bandages up his right arm and the shaved part of his head. His right leg also laid in a cast that went right up to his knee. While Dream was unable to count all the other minor injuries, they were numerous and everywhere.

Slowly taking a step next to the bed, Dream allowed his hand to rest in Techno's, intently watching his chest rise and fall. Feeling the pinkette's hand tighten around his, he looked down at it and then to his face, where Techno was now staring at him through cracked eyelids.

The two were silent for what felt like minutes, before Technoblade closed his eyes again, allowing his head to rest further back. "Hell of a first date," he muttered in his monotone voice before cracking the tiniest smile.

"I mean, last night certainly felt like hell," Dream managed to answer, giving a short laugh, before whispering, "Goddamnit, you scared me Techno."

"Ah, I have to keep my first dates on their toes you know? Got to make sure they know the chaos that happens in my life and that they're prepared for it."

Dream couldn't help, but laugh, holding onto Techno's hand. "I am so glad you are alive. You can't just try to die on me like that."

"I promise you," Techno smiled, opening his eyes to look at Dream again. "Not my first choice. Also, need a new phone. Doctor's said mine was non-salvageable with the amount of it that was in my body."

"I have you covered Technoblade," a new voice said.

Dream spun around, feeling defensive of Techno. "Who are you?"

Techno's voice, on his part, however, was filled with pure shock. "Uncle Nix?"

"Hello nephew."

Hello, hello my friends! First of all, I'm sorry this chapter is shorter than normal. So much has been going on. However! Secondly and most importantly, however, we have another amazing fanart of Technoblade on the date with Dream. You know. Before the life-changing car crash. So I redirect you to MaddWitch's ko-fi. Go support them! Thanks for reading and please review!

Best Regards,

PFT3000