The music shook the walls, people crowding every inch of the room's space. Taking a step was dangerous, but the people in here moved in a weird sync, each person knowing where every other one was at any one moment. Talking was not an option as eardrums were barely able to process the noise that was already present. Many, if not every person, held a red solo cup or some other drinking receptacle that contained some form of alcohol.

This was a party. A celebration. A celebration of life that was to come. A celebration of life that was once present. But most importantly, it was a celebration of the life that was still here. Now that Techno had been cleared on doctor's orders, Dream and all of his friends were celebrating. It started out as just Sapnap, George, Dream, Bad, and Techno. However, the neighborhood got word of this and then some of Techno's college friends, and then some of their friends and suddenly, the group of five had turned into a group of ten. Then twenty. Then fifty. The group continued to grow until Sapnap's and George's house was filled to the brim with people. Some were there because they were relieved that Technoblade was alive. Most of them were there just for the party.

However, in a room of so many people, Techno had never felt more dead. He was still on crutches and so he was not dancing. Instead, he sat on a chair in the dining room, looking about the room of people. Dream had been drug into the crowd by George a while ago, a normal thing for the two of them. Besides himself, Techno was well aware that George was one of Dream's best friends. However, the two had not emerged from the crowd for about an hour and a half, and knowing Dream, if they weren't careful, the blonde would end up drunk.

Sighing, having nothing more to do, he began to repeatedly braid his hair. Well, he braided what was left of it. When he awoke for the first time after the car crash to see his short hair, he had nearly cried. The doctor had to shave part of his head and while he was grateful to be alive, a part of him still was bitter. His hair had been one of his favorite features and had taken him several years to grow out to that length. The doctors had offered to cut the rest to make it even, but he had almost instantly refused.

Another half-hour passed by, the noise slowly giving him a headache and he knew it was very much time to go. Pulling out his phone, he put in the passcode, the phone being yet another reminder of the accident. A new one was needed after he found out that his other one had been completely crushed. In fact, there were about five to six stitches on his right forearm where the doctors had pulled shards of glass out which had been identified to be from his old phone. Dismissing the reminders of pain, he opened his texts, sending a quick one to Dream, asking for him to come here.

A few minutes later and the blonde was emerging from the crowd, very loud and very drunk. A slightly less drunk George accompanied him, both laughing as they headed towards the pinkette. Sitting down next to Techno, Dream laid his head on the man's shoulder.

"I love you," he muttered. "Is it time to go?"

"I love you too. It is time you nerd," Techno laughed slightly, heart warmed by the soft words of Dream.

Both of them missed the rather bitter look George gave Dream as the words were spoken, one too drunk and the other too lovesick to even care at that moment.

"I can't drive and you can't drive. George can't drive," Dream muttered, swaying back and forth slightly. "I know! I'll go find Bad. He doesn't drink."

Dream stood quickly, George following him. Techno merely laughed, happy to see that everyone he cared about in life was happy.

—

George was angry. While he had never pushed himself on Dream and he knew Dream was not interested when he learned that the two were dating jealousy had arisen. However, he had pushed it away, instead opting to be happy for his best friend, knowing being bitter would not do any good for either of them. It was kind of funny how all of that logic tended to just fly out the window however when alcohol was involved.

So what had started as harmless dancing turned into drunken words and then became angry jealousy. He knew he never stood a chance with Dream. Not when the man had waited five years to date Technoblade specifically. But when Dream got drunk he was a little easier to talk to and convince. So after hearing the exchange of "I love yous" George wanted nothing more than to feel Dream's lips on his.

"So Dream, are you and Techno officially dating now?" he asked as the blonde stumbled through the house towards Bad's bedroom.

Dream nodded. "We are! It's amazing. I was so scared I had lost him when the car crash happened. I feel terrible about that. I was on the phone with him. It was so scary George."

George stopped Dream right before the man knocked on Bad's door. "You know Dream," his voice lowered, "I think Techno might be lying to you. I don't think he loves you as you love him."

Dream laughed openly at this. "Nonsense. If it's his monotone voice, that's not really his choice. He loves me and I love him."

"But I love you Dream. And you could stay with someone who is just going to use and demand things of you or you could be with me," he said, pleading slightly.

Deep down, George knew that manipulating Dream was wrong, but the smallest part of him just didn't care. He had wanted Dream for so long, almost as long as Dream had pinned after Technoblade and he just didn't see how it was fair that one had gotten what the other so desired. He reached up to cup Dream's face with one hand gently, smiling fondly at the blonde.

"I promise, I can be everything you want, if not more Dream. Give me a chance."

Dream looked from George's eyes to his lips and then back to his lips. Something inside of him screamed to push George away and knock on Bad's door to escape this situation. That what was about to happen would end up terribly. So Dream went to do just that, pushing George's hand from his face, shaking his head.

"Um, I'm sorry, but I don't have any interest in you. I just want Bad to drive me and Techno home," he said, breathing a slight breath of relief when he heard Techno coming down the hall, the crutches having a distinctive sound on these wood floors.

However, George heard Techno coming down the hall too, and right as Technoblade turned the corner and Dream knocked on Bad's door, he surged forward to catch Dream's lips. Dream attempted to step back, shocked by his friend's actions, but George kept upon him, blinded by anger and jealousy. Bad opened the door, shocked to see the two kissing, and pushed George off a clearly uncomfortable Dream. However, George kissing him was one of Dream's smallest concerns.

For him, it was the look of hurt and betrayal that laid on Techno's face, Dream able to see him trembling from here. "Techno," he whispered, stepping forward towards him.

"Just don't Dream," he answered, voice dead. The pinkette turned and hobbled back down the hallway.

Dream shook looking between George and Bad. Suddenly, he felt more sober than he ever had before. Bad said something, but the fear and shock were stronger than any words ever could be and he shrunk back from his friends. He had never felt more afraid of losing Techno besides when the call had gone quiet. Pushing away the tears, he knew he had to go talk to him.

"Techno!" he cried out, taking down the hall, leaving the other two. "Techno, please wait. That wasn't what it looked like I promise. Please Techno!"

Catching up to Technoblade was not hard. He wasn't the fastest person whilst on crutches and he was also panicking. When he looked back to see Dream following him, he stopped. The feeling of betrayal was strong and part of him wanted just to throw the closest item at the blonde.

"What was it then Dream? Because it looked like you and George were about to get more than just friendly," his voice was bitter.

"I don't know what that was. I told him I wasn't interested. I swear. I would never do something like that," he begged. "Please believe me Techno. I-"

Dream was cut off with some very vile words. "No wonder you were so scared of me feeling like you were taking advantage of me Dream. You were just trying to get my guard down so that you could."

Those words stopped Dream dead, hurting more than the look he had initially seen on Techno's face. "I would never. Please Technoblade, please. You have to believe me."

"I don't have to believe you. I should have never trusted you. I can't believe you would do this to me."

Technoblade continued to the living room, forcing his way through the crowd, leaving Dream standing alone in the hallway. The music was just as loud and the celebration continued. However, to Techno it was no longer about life. Instead, it was about loss and pain and nothing more.

I hope you enjoyed. I got the inspiration for this chapter from an eight-second TikTok audio clip. Also, ZERO hate to Dream/George shippers. This is only for the drama. See y'all next week!

Best Regards,

PFT3000