"Uncle Nix! What are you doing here?" Technoblade asked, eyes wide.
Whilst not making a big deal of it, Dream felt Techno's hand slip out of his own. A small rush of fear went through him, but he swallowed it down, not wishing to make a scene. His eyes darted from Technoblade to the man who had now been identified as Uncle Nix. Uncle Nix seemed very calm and composed and very well dressed. As Dream eyed the man up and down, he couldn't help but notice the designer suit, the expensive watch, and the brand new iPhone in his hand.
"Well, when the hospital calls the emergency contact and says your nephew has been in an extreme accident you tend to come to make sure that they're alright. They told me you wouldn't be able to reach out because of the phone so I ensured you had a new one," Nix said, standing stiffly. "You must be Dream. I've heard a lot about you and I have also heard that you were the reason they were able to save Technoblade. Thank you."
"Oh, um, you're welcome sir. I would have done it for anyone," Dream stuttered out, not expecting to be addressed by the man.
Technoblade looked between the two. "Um, well, Dream, this is my uncle, Nix Bartolone. He's my dad's brother. Uncle Nix, this is Dream. He's my boyfriend."
"I didn't realize you two had started dating Technoblade. The last time we talked, you two were just roommates. Dream is the man you had been speaking of yes?" Nix moved to place the phone on the table next to Dream.
"Yes, this is him. Um, we actually went on our first date last night before the car accident happened. We had planned the date about a week before," as Techno talked, his body relaxed, retaking Dream's hand, and a small, fond smile crossing his face. "We got bubble tea at the cafe he works in and then we saw the new Marvel movie. It was really good."
"Well, I'm happy you had a good night at least even if the rest of the night brought horror upon us all. Your bills are paid for completely, so if you need anything, just tell them and they'll make sure you get it. Thanksgiving is in a week. I hope to see you both there. No need to provide food. Technoblade knows where it is," Nix relayed the information quickly, having no need nor desire to stay any longer at the hospital. "Dream, thank you again. It was nice meeting you. Technoblade get better. I will inform your professors of why you are absent. The phone just needs to be activated. I will talk with you later."
Nix left, not allowing for either of them to respond. Dream stared at Techno, a bit star-struck. "That's your uncle? Is he the one who paid for your college and your house and bills?"
"He is. The house however I inherited from my father. We were always taught to not flaunt our wealth and so I try to seem as normal as possible. Also, I'm not involved in the 'family business, but I'm fairly certain it's an Italian mafia," Techno lowered his voice at the last part. "But Uncle Nix cares. He always has since my parents died. Ironically enough, they died in a car crash. I'm sure that wasn't the best phone call for him to receive."
Dream nodded slowly, finally sitting down in the chair that was behind him. Absentmindedly he picked up the phone box, examining it curiously. It was indeed the newest modal of the iPhone and it was so new that the box wasn't even opened yet. He handed it to Techno, giving a small shrug.
"I'm glad you have a family like that. It's a good thing for sure. Can't say I'm not jealous tho," Dream gave a small laugh. "Either way. I'm glad you are okay. Have the doctors said anything about when you can go home?"
"Nah, nothing yet. I escaped pretty luckily, with the few injuries I have. Just a broken leg and lots of stitches. Yet somehow, my hair is the worst part of all of this. I worked so long to grow it out and for what? To lose it all in a car accident?" Techno joined in laughing, even though the pain and sadness were all too clear on his face, with no attempt to hide it. "You know, they said the car flipped at least three times. I'm lucky to be alive."
The three distinct thuds Dream had heard over the phone the night before made complete sense suddenly and he nodded. "It doesn't surprise me. The wreck sounded horrible and the state of your car was even worse you know?"
The two fell silent, neither really having anything to talk about. Normally, their next date or even their previous one would be forefront in their mind. Maybe they would have asked what had gone well or what they had wished had gone differently. Yet, an unintended consequence of being in a life-threatening event was that it tended to be the most bothersome thing for a while. About ten minutes of silence went by before Dream decided it was now an excellent time to start setting up Techno's new phone.
"There's no reason that while you are in the hospital that you must be disconnected from the rest of the world. We all still care and worry about you."
That had made Technoblade laugh, it being the only one Dream heard for the rest of the day. After the end of visiting hours, Dream had kissed Techno very gently on the forehead, exiting the room for the first time that day. Making his way back to his car and to his home, a feeling of discontentment set over him, similar to the feeling of loneliness that had plagued him yesterday. It wasn't until the keys were on their unofficial designated spot on the counter and the haunting, hollow sound of shoes being kicked off in an empty house, did those feelings truly come back to haunt Dream.
Hi everyone. I am so sorry that I missed yesterday's update. Holidays really suck for me and I've been in a depressive slump recently and just haven't wanted to write. I'm sorry this chapter is so short. I hope you enjoyed nonetheless and I hope to see you again Sunday.
Best Regards,
PFT3000