Techno knows Wilbur and Tommy are planning something, he just doesn't know what.
Honestly though, it doesn't bother him too much. Techno used to be a lot more insecure about his place in the family and interpret every little secret between Wilbur and Tommy as a sure sign that he would never fit in - that they didn't actually want him around as their new brother. Now, Techno just thinks they're being nerds together when they sit under a tree and whisper in each other's ears, and then very exaggeratedly shush each other when Techno comes near.
"It's cold," Techno complains, sitting down next to Wilbur. The avian instantly wraps a wing around him without Techno having to ask and he smiles to himself. Wilbur's feathers have been getting darker with the approach of winter. But when he's cradled under one, Techno feels nice and warm.
"The seasons are changing," Wilbur says. "Do you know what day it is tomorrow?"
"It's the winter solstice!" Tommy answers before Techno can even say anything.
"Tommy, I wasn't asking you." Wilbur throws his arm over Tommy's shoulder to drag him into a headlock and rubs his knuckles over Tommy's head. The younger boy squawks (like a chicken, Techno thinks to himself in amusement) and his white feathers puff out.
"What's special about tomorrow?" Techno asks. He knows Wilbur didn't bring it up just because of the winter solstice. Weeks ago, Scott announced there'll be a little get-together at the Pube. but they had one for the spring, summer, and autumn solstice too so he doesn't think this specific one is going to be that much different. It's usually a lot of sitting around and talking, playing games, and having good food. Jack prepared the most delicious carrot stew Techno had ever eaten for the autumn solstice. He dreams about it almost every night.
"Are you being serious right now?!" Tommy asks. He tries to pout but it looks kind of ridiculous when his face is getting red from the headlock. Techno pushes Wilbur off, not wanting their youngest brother to choke.
"It'll be one whole year since Phil brought you to the valley," Wilbur says. His voice gains a slightly softer edge to it as if the memory is making him a little nostalgic.
"Oh," Techno says, "I hadn't realized."
But now that he has, he doesn't know what to feel about it. He hasn't thought about that night in a while. It was a very sad day that lead to a lot of happy things. So it also makes him feel that way, he thinks: both happy and sad. This weird knot of emotions in his stomach that he doesn't know how to deal with. Techno flicks his ear and shrugs.
Tommy pushes Wilbur off him completely and stands up. "You hadn't realized? That's all you've got to say about it?"
"I don't know." Techno picks at the grass, getting dirt under his claws.
Wilbur grins, bumping his elbow into Techno's side. "Well, we are totally not planning anything special so you won't have to worry about that." There's a glint in his eyes that betrays his lying, on top of the obvious sarcasm.
"So all that whispering is about something completely different? Cool."
"Do you wanna see me fly?" Tommy asks suddenly, completely derailing the conversation when his attention is pulled away by something else. That's not unusual for Tommy though.
"Weren't you still in the gliding part of flying practice?" Techno could swear he remembers Phil saying that recently. Even Wilbur doesn't really fly yet, just uses upgusts of wind to gain altitude while he's using his wings to drift on the air currents. His muscles aren't powerful enough to actually flap with enough strength to fly. A lot of avians can only do that once they become adult elytrians.
"No, no, no, it's totally not the same thing as gliding when I do it," Tommy insists. And then to his brothers' horror starts trying to climb the tree they're sitting against. Techno just manages to catch him by the back of his shirt before he scuttles up the bark.
"If you break your leg again, Phil will never forgive us," he says.
"Killjoy," Tommy accuses while sticking out his tongue.
"You'll survive not being allowed to inflict massive bodily harm on yourself for one day."
Tommy frowns at him as if he's stupid. "Boredom can and will kill people, actually."
"If that were true I would have died a long time ago when you were my only little brother," Wilbur says.
"Hey!" Tommy starts kicking in outrage, which is a little funny considering Techno is still holding him up with one arm.
"Life is so much better now that Techno is around," Wilbur says, leaning against the bunny hybrid in a very obvious attempt to piss Tommy off more. "Imagine only having you as a brother? That'd be terrible."
He's laying it on pretty thick but it still makes Techno laugh a bit. He drops Tommy on Wilbur's lap, knowing those two can beef it out if they want. He's not getting between this.
"Yeah? Yeah?! Techno is a cooler big brother than you'll ever be anyway!" Tommy says, flipping Wilbur off. Wilbur chuckles.
The sun is shining, the weather in the valley is surprisingly mild for this time of year. Soon, it will probably snow. Techno might need to steal Wilbur's sweater again. For now, he's more than cozy enough wrapped up in Wilbur's wing and leaning his head against his shoulder.
His brothers' silly argument lulls Techno to sleep.
The next day, Techno goes with Phil when the old man heads off to fish.
Phil kind of quirks an eyebrow when Techno asks to come with him because it's not something he usually does. He's tried it once or twice, but sitting still and waiting for the bait to catch has always been mind-numbingly boring to Techno. You can talk while fishing, but only in soft voices because apparently, it can scare the fish away. Though Techno thinks that might be a fib Phil came up with so he can have peace and quiet. You also can't skip stones in the water or dip your feet beneath the surface for the same reason.
Today he feels it's important to go with Phil. It's the best opportunity they'll have to talk in private since tonight is the solstice party and there'll be lots of people around. And also, Wilbur and Tommy are off making some kind of last-minute adjustments to their 'surprise'. Techno doesn't feel like hanging around the nest alone.
Thus that's how Techno finds himself sitting at the edge of the river. The end of Phil's fishing rod bops slightly in the water, though the currents aren't very strong. All the water up the mountains has frozen, Techno can see the snow-capped tops from the valley. Even the stones they're sitting on have green algae stuck to the bottom. In spring and autumn, they're submerged in the river.
In his old warren nothing ever changed. It was always the same routine, day in and day out. It used to give Techno a sense of safety and he doesn't think he'll ever get that back completely. But change can be good. It can be better.
It took him a while to realize that but he's glad he did.
"So why did you wanna come with me?" Phil asks.
He's using his hand to adjust the reel and keep the line from sinking too deep, but aside from that fishing doesn't take much skill. It's just a lot of waiting. A lot of waiting.
Phil is the most patient person Techno knows so he probably doesn't mind waiting.
"What makes you think there's some reason I wanted to come?" he says - already knowing the answer.
"Same reason I don't think sitting around watching paint dry would be your idea of a great afternoon," Phil says with a grin. "I know you well enough to know this isn't your style, mate. So, you want to talk about it?"
"No," Techno answers then changes his mind because now it sounds like he doesn't want to talk to Phil at all. "I mean, yeah? Kinda. It's not really something to talk about, just something I wanna say, I guess."
Phil nods, letting the line go slack a bit when it snaps taut suddenly. He pulls, spinning the reel faster. A glistening minnow flops on the hook.
"You can say whatever you want to say, whenever you're ready, Technoblade." Phil sits back down after getting the fish loose and putting it in the bucket he brought. His wings are tucked closed so Techno stares at them, at the even curves they make against Phil's shirt.
He doesn't say anything for a long, long time. And Phil simply waits in silence, sometimes whistling or tapping his foot.
He really is the most patient person ever, huh?
"I want to thank you," Techno says eventually. He nervously reaches up to braid his own hair, though he's not sure why. It's not like Phil will get angry at him for this, is it?
"What exactly are you thanking me for?" Phil pushes gently.
"For saving me last year. And taking me in and making me family and just- all that." Techno finishes with a lame little shrug.
Phil doesn't look at him when he answers. "That's not something you need to thank me for."
"It is! You changed my entire life for the better and you gave me a home," Techno insists. "And you took care of me when I needed it…" He's not too good at verbalizing his feelings, yet the words are pouring out automatically. "And I hope I can repay you someday."
Phil shakes his head. "There's nothing to repay."
"But-"
"I'm serious, Techno. I love you and don't want to hear it."
Those are the words that make Techno stop dead in his tracks. Not because Phil blatantly refused his attempt to express his gratitude, but because that was probably the first time Phil used that word when talking to him - talking about him.
Phil said he loves Techno.
And the casual way in which Phil dropped it in conversation kind of blows his mind. "I uh… I love you too." He's not sure if it's okay for him to say that. It sounds weird and stilted and so awkward he wants to die. But it makes his chest feel full of flutters - the good kind. And it makes Phil smile.
Techno is happy he said it.
Phil reels the line in again before reaching out to pull him a little closer. He places his palm on the top of Techno's head. "Are you happy, Techno?"
Phil's hands are rough, warm. Techno thinks he remembers those hands picking him up and tending to his wounds a year ago. He definitely remembers all the times they held him, soothed his nightmares away, and kept him from falling.
"I guess so," he answers. Then, with a little more confidence, "yeah, I'm happy."
"Then that's all the thanks I'll ever need," Phil says.
They leave it at that, but Techno decides to stay until Phil is done fishing anyway. It's not like he has anywhere better to be.
That night there's a loud and lively atmosphere in the Pube.
They started out quieter, talking about the past year and their plans for the upcoming one. Jack showed off his new recipe for soup - he'd made a carrot one for Techno again. Niki brought them all a batch of sea pearls she had found and which Scott would use for crafting. Techno watched as Tommy chased Ranboo around - the enderman could teleport so she was always just out of Tommy's reach - screaming his head off about that gapple which apparently Ranboo ate and that enraged Tommy like nothing else ever had.
By the time it gets dark out, the cards have come out and betting has started.
The adults drink ale and gamble with emeralds. Techno can hear them yelling and cajoling each other from across the room, but he's pretty sure it's all fun and games. Nobody takes it too seriously, and it's not like their commune has much in the way of economy. It's all bartering and self-sufficient farms. If somebody is in need, somebody else will help them out. So the gems have little value aside from giving them something to use as chips.
Techno played a few games with Tubbo and Wilbur, but he's not very good at it. He prefers sparring, that's something he can actually win!
Now he's listening to Wilbur up on the stage playing his guitar. Niki is singing along, her voice so beautiful it gives some credence to the stories humans tell about sirens. Though Niki is probably too nice to actually lure unsuspecting sailors to their deaths.
Everything becomes a bit overwhelming for Techno soon enough, his bunny ears are extra sensitive to this sort of noise. So he quickly steps outside onto the balcony, shivering at the cold air.
He only needs a few minutes.
The moon sits lonely in the sky, stars dotting the blackness at a distance. There are no clouds tonight and Techno feels that if he were to reach up he could touch them. Or maybe he could just jump and make it all the way to the moon.
But his eye is drawn more to the valley down below.
From this high up, Techno can see everything. He can see the trees where he knows their nest is (and beneath it the burrow he loves so dearly). He can see Ranboo's cabin with its large flower garden. And the hive that is close by. Scott's tower looks so small from this far away it's kind of funny to look at. Where the pier is, the moon is reflected on the water.
Techno loves it.
He loves this place. And the people in it.
"Techno, there you are!"
He jumps when Wilbur's hand lands on his shoulder.
"Don't do that," he says testily at being spooked like that, but the anger doesn't stick. Not in the face of Wilbur's grin.
"You totally almost fell off the balcony," Tommy says. He's holding something in his hands but he's keeping it behind his back so Techno can't see what it is.
"Not even close," Techno answers and crosses his arms. "Did you come out here to annoy me, because I actually came outside for some peace and quiet?"
"It was foolish of you to think you'd ever escape us," Tommy says with a mischievous grin. Wilbur reaches around him to grab the thing he's holding.
"We came out to bring you this."
Techno doesn't get what Wilbur is holding out to him at first. The shape is too square for him to realize it's a book. That's exactly what it is, though. A handbound set of pages. The cover is light brown and has a crude drawing on it of Phil, Techno, Wilbur, and Tommy all holding hands. It seems to be made to look slightly bad on purpose, in a charming way.
"What's this?" Techno asks, flipping over the cover.
"A little something we made to celebrate your one year of living with us." Wilbur watches him look through it, shuffling on his feet a bit. As if suddenly nervous what Techno is going to think about it.
Tommy does not suffer from that same problem. He's bouncing in place, pointing out things as Techno turns the pages.
"I made this one," he says proudly. Techno squints at the drawing. There seems to be a bit more effort put into it. It's a picture of Techno in the nest. "I drew a very nice one of me falling into the river too. You could problem sell it for a lot of money, but you shouldn't."
Techno nods. "I see."
A lot of the drawings have text next to him describing the memories that are depicted. One page has a drawing of his warren - probably done by Phil. Near the front of the book, there's a little pocket where they put three feathers. One for each of his family members.
"There's a lot of empty pages left in the back too," Wilbur says, "for whatever comes next."
Techno closes the book again and holds it close to his chest.
"For whatever comes next."
And he can hear in his own words how much he's looking forward to whatever that is.