Chapter 2: Turtles and Manipulation

Scenario: Techno and Tommy are going to check on Techno's turtles. Set before Dream comes looking for Tommy.

Technoblade's footsteps crunched through the snow, slow and steady towards his destination. He did his best to ignore the less steady, more spontaneous footsteps behind him, and the occasional, "How much longer, Techno?" to which he always answered, "Not that far."

Tommy had gotten immensely bored sitting at the house all day, so Techno had taken him along to do chores, which Tommy had been way too excited about.

They finally arrived at their destination.

"Here we are. Just go around and feed them."

"Okay." Tommy took the bucket and went around the fenceposts to where the sea turtles were sprawled. "Can I name them?"

Techno sighed. "Sure, you can name them."

"Great! I'm going to call this one 'Dream,' because he's green."

Techno stiffened. "Tommy, why would you call it Dream?"

"Well, why wouldn't I? Dream's my friend."

"Dream...exiled you, Tommy. He hurt you."

"Nonsense. I mean, yes, he did exile me, but he's been really very nice about it, building me a house and everything."

"He built you a house out of dirt, Tommy."

"It's still a house."

"He blew up your stuff! He even blew up the house that you built for yourself. He threatened you with death, Tommy. How could you call him your friend?"

Techno waited for Tommy to speak and answer him, but there was nothing. He glanced back and saw Tommy crouched next to the greenest turtle, his eyes wide and his mouth open slightly.

"Tommy, are you...are you okay?"

"I… Dream… No, he-he helped me. He-"

"He's manipulating you, Tommy. Look, you've got to get it in your head that Dream doesn't care about you. He was just pretending to be nice so he can use you. He wants to use you against Tubbo. And I don't care that Tubbo's formed his own government, it's still wrong. Please tell me you understand that, Tommy. Tell me you get it."

"I...I don't think I do."

Techno sighed. "When Dream comes and hunts you down, then you'll understand."

"I don't understand," Tommy murmured as he handed the fish to the turtles for them to eat. Techno watched him, and realized that Dream had done much more than he thought. And Techno promised himself that he'd protect Tommy, no matter what Dream threatened to do."

"We'd better head back, Tommy. It's almost sunset."

Tommy wordlessly followed him, and it was a very quiet walk home as the night stretched its fingers over the cold, blue landscape.

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