Trigger warning: Minor injury description, Active and referenced bullying/abuse, Trauma response flashback, Assumed (and highly probable) death, Emotional venting, Self deprecating thoughts/words, Panic attacks and being drunk.
XX-XX
Tommy panted heavy as he stumbled a few steps further before leaning against the side of an old building. He'd run a fair distance from the house now and his lungs demanded a rest. He had always been a fast runner even when he was young. More so with his Avian feet out…currently his feet ached and burned, but he managed to keep the in human form. Running barefooted with his human ones certainly hurt more but it was worth it.
It meant he hadn't crumbled further.
He was still acting like a person.
He was still a person and his instincts, no matter how deeply they screamed at him right now, were in check. He could and would continue to swallow them down. Even if the back of his mind, his hindbrain, buzzed and ached and begged to go back.
He wanted to go back.
He wanted to run back home, dive into a nest, or his father's arms, or-or Wilbur's- into Techno's arms- he wanted to be hugged and comforted and warmed. He wanted to be safely tucked under wing or under chin and kept there-
He wouldn't.
He wouldn't go back.
He was a person, not an animal.
A real person, not an animal.
Tommy kept telling himself that as he sucked in greedily at the air. His lungs rattled with the lingering sickness that would leave him stuffy for days to come. Days that, if he could help it, would now be spent with Tubbo. If the other was willing to have him over that is.
Tubbo was in the middle of a big project and the last time they'd spoken the boy had been preparing for some kind of…well, to be honest Tommy wasn't sure. It was a lot of either long or confusing words, but Tubbo had warned that he would be 'off the grid' until he'd finished this stage.
It would be a safe place though.
Tommy could promise to stay out of the way for however long he was permitted to be there. Tubbo's house was different from when Technoblade last had been around. In fact, Tubbo had 'lost' two homes due to 'questionable circumstances' in the last four years. The place he was in now wasn't even in the same rough area as the last two.
Though, Tommy had noted at one point, it appeared far less flammable then the others.
Tommy just needed to cut through The Old Town in order to get onto the right road. It was a…less safe route, but it was faster than going around and over the city bridge. Going this way meant Tommy never had to really leave the tree line for long and could avoid a majority of people. The Old Town might be slummy, and yea his father had told him to never go there, but….technically he was only going through.
Wilbur still went there often enough too.
Wil never told Tommy what he was up to, but it was a secret between them. Tommy wasn't to go here without him, and Wilbur would stroll through the place pointing things out to him. Mostly small places that made for good exit routes or a house or two that were good for laying low in. Tommy never questioned it and merely enjoyed the time spent with his older brother. In a place neither of them were supposed to be no less.
Taking another deep breath, ending with a hacked cough, Tommy looked around himself. He was just about at the center of the place. Many houses were clearly rotting away or were damaged, though appeared to still be lived in somehow. It wasn't like the whole area was run down, just…the center of The Old Town itself appeared to have been through some shit at some point.
There was only one shop Tommy could see from where he was, but he didn't dare even look at it. He'd been warned by Wilbur especially that it 'wasn't a real shop' during one of their walks exploring the place.
From the look on Wil's face when he said it Tommy decided he didn't ever really want to know what that meant.
Ducking back into the small alley he'd chosen to be his refuge at the moment Tommy considered his pathing. He didn't want to cut through the center exactly. It would only make him look like a target, what with his current state of dress and clearly disheveled look. He needed a way to stick as far out of sight as possible while not broadcasting that's what he was doing.
According to Wilbur it was one of the fastest ways to get yourself robbed.
Tommy tensed as he realized he could hear voices from where he stood, but he couldn't see the sources. They sounded rowdy and jovial, but in that way that made his stomach twist in discomfort. Nothing like the sounds he and his friends made when hanging out together. Tubbo's bleated laughter and Ranboo's strange but comforting sort of distorted cackles.
The laughs were sharper, a mocking sort that he knew well enough. He'd unfortunately gotten pretty used to them, but that was on a normal day. This wasn't a normal day and he wasn't ready to have to deal with anything that came with Ithat/I sort of laughter. Already his hindbrain was screaming warnings at him, tell him to flee back to the nest, back to his flock.
Taking in a breath as quietly as he could Tommy turned to walk back down the alleyway. He'd gotten his bearings well enough. He'd just, walk around the houses as much as they would allow, and then sprint the rest of the way through the town.
Can't get robbed if they can't catch you.
Taking a left behind the house Tommy sighed at seeing the state of the 'backyard' of the place that he had to walk thought now. It was little more than just an extended alley really. But it bore a small patch of grass that tried to, at one point in appearance, be a garden, but now was a tangle of weeds and thorns that wove through and around discarded debris of tools, old furniture and other assorted items.
Tommy had to climb over it all as there was no actual walking space to be found. On any other day he'd have found it a fun sort of challenge. At the moment though it was a strenuous activity that only made his body ache more that he thought was strictly needed. Stretching and reaching himself over a crate and a few crumbling stone steps shouldn't leave his ribs sore and limbs achy and heavy feeling.
It wasn't from the illness, Tommy knew.
He refused to admit further than that though, instead choosing to curse the pains as they grew.
He was a big man and he could handle it. He would force it away and into something he wanted it to be. Something he could accept.
If only it stopped being so sharp in places and itchy in others. It made maneuvering in any sort of way a real problem.
Over the largest hurdle Tommy fell against the wall of the house with a gasp, a small pained trill bubbling out of his throat. He tried to swallow it back down again, covering his mouth with his hands and instead breathing rapidly through his nose.
No bird noises.
None of that.
A strangled noise tried to choke itself out but he kept his mouth clamped shut. It was hard to try to focus on controlling the sounds he was making when the laughing was still echoing around him. The old walls holding onto it as if they themselves wanted to make him suffer through it.
There was only so much Tommy could take though and he just wanted this to be over with. He could fall apart at Tubbo's. He wouldn't be judged there for it and the boy wouldn't make him leave until he stopped behaving erratically. Meaning, until after the imprinting had withered. Tommy just…wouldn't explain what it was and he'd be fine. Tubbo didn't need to know about that part of him.
The weakest part of him.
Taking in as steadying a breath as he could Tommy prepared to moved. Screw the sneaking. He would just run. Run to the edge of old town as far as his lungs would allow. It would be safer to recover along the road than here. Not by a lot, but it would be enough.
It had to be.
Summoning what strength he could and shoving down the pains in his body Tommy stepped away from the wall.
He could do this.
He was Tommy fucking Innit Craft and he was going to run through the Old Town like he owed it money. Which, ironically, he'd been told by Wil more than once was a very bad thing. So…if anything he'd fit right in with the scenery.
Head still pounding and feeling slightly disoriented from it Tommy tried to shake it off as he turned the corner to face the street once more. He was mid-step when his brain caught up with him that he was blocked. The squawk of surprise was beyond his control and his hands were flying to his mouth far too late to stop it. His eyes, now wide with shock, lingered on the forms before him as fear and dread both rose and tangled in his stomach.
Jared.
Of fucking course it was Jared.
Jared and his witless lackey, or 'friend', whatever.
Today was just really trying its hardest to shit on Tommy.
Stumbling backwards Tommy nearly tripped over his own feet as he tried to create some distance between himself and the older men. They were just about Wilbur's age, maybe a touch older? It didn't matter though. Older or not the men were a torment to Tommy and he wanted nothing more than to not be where he was right now.
He needed an out.
The last place anyone would want to be was trapped down a back alley with your grown ass bullies and the burning itch of instincts trying to come out.
Should never have left home.
Tommy tried to shove the thought down biting at the insides of his cheeks as he looked around himself.
He could just make out that words were being spoken, but he was too focused on an escape plan to hear them properly. He stumbled back another step but it gave him no greater options or insight.
He couldn't go back the way he came, it was a tangled mess of trash he barely got over the first time. The other way wasn't much better other than there didn't seem to be as many things to climb over. Just, tangles of vines, roots and an abundance of broken glass across the ground.
He wiggled his toes, bare of shoes as he'd fled the house too fast to think to gab any.
He could try-
"Hey, you listening, brat?" A voice cut into Tommy's thoughts as something solid connected with his head.
Tommy fought to keep the startled peep from coming out as he looked forward to face the two men once more. Allowing them more of his attention now Tommy could see the guy to Jared's left was holding something up. A can.
Looking down Tommy saw a matching one at his feet. Presumably thrown by Jared as he didn't have one himself. It was a beer can. He knew it well enough from tripping over them often around Old Town. Also at a certain friends house he wasn't allowed at anymore, but that was beside the point.
The point was, they were drinking. Jared sober was bad enough. When he drank though he was far worse.
Tommy swallowed back his growing anxiety as he considered this new information. If they were drunk…drunk enough, maybe he could dart past them. They were bigger than him, but smaller than Technoblade.
"What are you doing out 'ere like that?" Jared snorted out as he pointed to Tommy.
Flickering his eyes down despite knowing what he'd see Tommy still cringed as he saw the state of his clothing. With the bit of climbing he'd done he'd managed to smear up his pajamas and even gained a tear just over the left breast pocket.
"Dude, he's probably sleep walking." Jared's friend sniggered into the others ear.
"Aw, is that it? You hav'ng a bad dream then?" Jared mocked as he stumbled closer , "Going to piss your pants about it?"
Tommy's face burned as his embarrassment flared. It had only happened once, but Jared had never let him forget it. He was still ten, almost eleven, when the guy, then a teen, had cornered him with a few friends. Tommy could still hear the ringing voices around him as they mocked him back then.
He'd been weak. He'd lashed out like- like an animal. They were bigger. Stronger. They'd gotten the upper hand and he'd been scared. So Iso/I scared. He didn't want to remember why. But he remembered after. Laying there in shame until it burned so much he tore the pants off himself.
As far as Tommy knew those pants were still scrunched and tucked in a ditch somewhere.
Tommy never let himself get to that point again. He could take anything tossed his way with gritted teeth and a fist waiting to clock who ever dared. Even if Jared won most of the time, Tommy made sure it wasn't without some effort.
Today though...
Tommy didn't have it in himself today to put up a fight. He could either run or sit and wait it out. Given Jared's state of being he might lose interest quickly if he just…waited it out.
"Wha's wrong chicken boy? Got nothing to say t'day?" Jared asked with a slight slur as he took another step closer, which Tommy matched backwards.
"S-stay back." Tommy stammered out, hating that he couldn't keep his even, "I'm not looking for trouble today. So just- we can forget we saw each other?"
Jared's friend laughed as he started animatedly clucking like a chicken but Tommy paid him no mind. He'd learned long ago that Jared was the shot caller. The other wouldn't do anything more than make noise on his own.
"Y-you wanna just 'forget we saw each other'?" Jared echoed with a smirk that made Tommy shiver, "You sound like your brother."
As subtly as he could Tommy tried to shuffle his foot back a bit, hoping to see an opening to leave soon. Jared was looking…amused. It wasn't a good look if you weren't in his crew really.
"Hows ol' Wilbur anyway? Havn't seen 'im in a while." Jared asked, though thankfully keeping at his current distance as he tilted his head.
It made Tommy's skin crawl, but he tried to ignore it.
"He's- He's fine." Tommy mumbled out as he tried to ignore the pounding of his hindbrain urging him to flee already.
Jared's eyes, pinched as they were as he squinted to presumably clear his vision, screamed 'predator' despite the guy being a regular human. A proper human, if only by genetic standards.
"Should tell 'im to come around more often. W're starting to miss 'im." Jared grinned and Tommy scowled.
Prick.
Tommy didn't know the whole story, but he knew enough that Jared had fucked with Wilbur's last relationship in a bad way. Enough that Wil had gone entirely no contact with the girl since. As far as Tommy knew anyway. Wil had been a wreck after for a while too. It was one of the times Wilbur had been the one to form the imprint between them in fact.
That knowledge was just between the two of them of course. That didn't stop Jared's words from stabbing into Tommy as if digging for that weak spot.
Tommy managed to keep his face in a glare, but his wings twitched and shuddered behind him. A tell he had yet to manage. He wasn't sure if Jared knew what it meant, drunk or sober really, but that didn't matter. Tommy knew what it meant and he didn't like it.
"I'll be sure to do that. Next I see him." Tommy lied in a flat tone, "So, I'll just, be going now then. To do that."
He tested out stepping to the right to pass the other, but Jared just raised an arm up cutting him off. If Tommy pushed it he could probably make it by, but the other guy…the alley was too small to get past him as effectively. Slow reflexes or not.
"What's the rush? It's been a while since you were 'ere too." Jared stated as if Tommy were unaware of that fact, "Donchu think we should, catch up?"
The man stepped closer and as Tommy took a step back his breath caught. There was no where else to go. He'd not realized how little space had been behind him. Jared only grinned wider as Tommy gasped aloud.
Looking up to see directly into Jared's eyes Tommy could feel himself start to fully panic. One minute it was Jared, then in a blink it was a man with dark hair easily a head taller. Another blink and it was Jared, a twisted sort of excitement in his smile. Another blink, and then it was that man, the same smile, a firm hand landing on his shoulder as nails started to dig in.
The second Tommy felt Jared's hand touch him he lost all sense of calm he might have had. The chirps of distress burst out of him as he flung himself to his left. He could feel the hand try to tighten on him but he pulled free. Thorns tore at his skin as the vines he dove into tried to bind him. The glass at his feet was heard more than felt at the moment and Tommy couldn't have cared less even if that weren't the case.
He needed to get away.
He needed to escape.
To get safe.
Tommy needed-
A heavy weight came down on his back almost directly between his wings and Tommy fell roughly thought the thorns until he was laying flat on the glass covered ground. He could feel the wheeze of a strangled whine escape him. The weight lifted and Tommy instantly tried to crawl forwards, uncaring of the cuts he got as more chirps bubbled from his lips.
His chest burned, his lungs hurt and his back was in fire. Out of pure instinct he tried to flap his wings to force his attacker to back off, but that only gave the other a chance to grab them. Tommy let out a yelp of both fear and pain as he felt himself being tugged backwards but his right wing as it was grabbed by rough careless hands. The grip was firm and Tommy feared it would bruise his bones if they held any tighter.
He was just about dragged back into the alley when the torturous hold on his wing vanished. Tommy gasped and tried to curl into a ball in defense. His wings were wrapped around himself like a shield as he waited to feel the first kick or rock thrown.
But nothing came.
His head was still ringing and he couldn't breathe, but there was nothing new coming.
Shaking in place Tommy tried to focus his breathing.
He needed to calm down.
Even in his panic he knew he needed to. Before he made it worse. He needed to regain his composure in case this was a chance, an opening to flee.
Before he could properly start on that though there were hands on him again.
Tommy thrashed, flapped his wings and let out a choked sound that was intended to be a warning growl. It was more of a cracked and broken squawk but it was all he had.
The hands lifted off him in an instant, but returned just as quickly to rest over his feathers. They didn't pull, or grab, or tug. Just…rested there, a steady weight on them until Tommy couldn't focus enough to flap anymore.
It wasn't that Tommy wanted to stop but, for some reason his hindbrain seemed convinced he should.
So he did.
A dread filled him that it was in defeat. That the part of him he had been fighting for so long had given in finally, but at a time where he needed it most to protect himself.
Swallowing greedily at the air Tommy's senses slowly started to come back. He grew aware that the hands on his wings were now…petting them. Gently, and only along the leading edge, brushing softly down over his lesser secondaries. The touch was light, only just enough to let him know it was there. Just enough to be grounding over the sound of his labored breath and the erratic pulsing in his ears.
There was another sound, but it took his brain a minute to process it.
A voice.
Deep and rumbling, but in an almost smooth way. Like, a mellow sort of thunder that soothes to one to sleep instead of startling awake.
That was all it took for Tommy to latch onto it. Onto the source of that sound, of the cautious comfort he desperately wanted. He didn't even care if he was making chirping noises now. He was blindly pulling himself into the lap of whoever was before him, and he could feel their arms wrap around him without question.
Tucking himself as close as he could get Tommy pressed his face into the chest of his savior. He could feel a vibration coming from them, but he was still slow to catch it. It was, like a deep purring that was putting his hindbrain as ease before the rest of his brain could comprehend it.
Safe-Flock-Comfort-Home-
The thoughts so passed rapidly Tommy chose to ignore them while his breathing evened out. More words were spoken above his head as a hand, firm but gentle, pressed his head further into the other's chest. He could feel his hair ruffle a moment before a chin rested there. With the other's throat so much closer now Tommy could start to make out the sounds. The voice. The familiar bursts of chuffing that intermingled with whatever was being said.
Tommy recognized this.
He knew this.
Feeling a mix of relief and panic both Tommy opened his eyes.
He saw pink.
Xx-xX
It hadn't been hard to track Tommy down. He'd run in a panic and hadn't exactly put effort into covering his trail. Footprints, broken under brush, and general disturbance to the area. However, Tommy was fast and had gotten a head start.
Techno needed to find his brother before anything else happened to him. Tommy was in no state to be out of the house, let alone out while alone. His brother was clearly going through something right now. Something that…involved Techno himself.
It stung to admit it, even in his head.
How could he deny it though? Tommy had all but painted that picture well enough earlier. Even if Techno didn't understand or know where it came from, it was still there.
He needed to find Tommy.
He needed to fix this.
But, more then that, he needed to make sure his baby brother was safe regardless of the outcome.
Those had been the thoughts running through his head right before he came up upon Old Town.
An old and itching sort of unease rested in Techno's mind as he watched the buildings coming into view. When he couldn't deny that was where Tommy's tracks were leading his heart filled with dread.
What the hell could Tommy be doing in the Old Town? It was a scummy cesspool that deserved to be burned down ages ago.
He'd tried it once technically, but he wasn't going to admit that to anyone. Their father knew and that was enough.
The place was dangerous though, and Tommy being here while in whatever unstable state he was in was more than enough to set Techno on the furthest edge he had. The place wasn't objectively big, but there were plenty of places to hide in. If he was going to a person specifically here-
Techno shook his head sharply at that.
There was no way. Tommy wouldn't know anyone from this part of town. His father would never allow that and Wilbur was far too protective of Tommy to let the kid run wild in a place like this. It was probably some other reason.
Maybe Tommy wasn't even aware of where he was going? Scary to think about, but better than him fleeing to someone here.
Techno was snapped out of his thoughts by a sudden burst of obnoxious laughter. With a grimace he put his head down and peered around himself with care.
While it wasn't his usual crowd Techno still knew well enough what a drunk or two sounded like. Didn't matter what a person drank or for what reason, it all sounded the same in the end. As did the petty fights they started for no other reason other than to brawl like savages until arrested or unconscious. He didn't have time to deal with some drunk idiots even on a good day. Best to avoid them and just keep on task.
If there were drunks out and about so early in the day Techno really didn't want his brother to run into them.
The thought had Techno pausing and glancing towards where the sounds of the idiots was coming from. He'd passed them a few feet back thankfully and they seemed to be tipping into an alley.
X-
Follow?
Don't waste time
Find Tommy
Could be down there
He hates us
Could not be too
Tracks have gone?
Lost at the stone walk
I say follow
Keep walking
Tommy is fast
Could be out of town by now
Need to find
Could be hiding
X-
Techno shook his head to try and clear it.
Chat hadn't been exactly helpful since the…episode with Tommy.
While Techno was used to them being a tangle on the regular he also knew them to be unnaturally in sync when something important was happening. Like, for instance, hunting down ones brother for their own safety.
The first time when he'd tracked Tommy to his kidnappers his Chattering had been eerily in harmony, each on point with a fact or tell in some manner that sped his effort along. Even in the arena over the years Techno had never heard them so on point with one other. Even the 'E' voices had snapped to attention.
This time around…
It was like cooking a batch of faulty popcorn by hearing only. Voices speaking up sporadically with random levels of volume and without any solid proof if they were right or just making noise.
…
Okay it wasn't the best comparison, but he was a bit distracted at the moment. Sue him.
There was another spike of a laugh and Techno couldn't help the instinctual cringe even after all these years. It was enough to get him to turn forwards once more and return to his former pace.
His anxiety rose with a surge in his gut and he felt more naked than ever without his boars mask. He didn't regret using it as he did, but he missed it all the same. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been outside without it. It predated him even leaving the town in the first place.
Now not only was he without it, but he was in the place that made him miss it the most. If he got recognized here-
Techno stopped sharp, his foot practically skidding in the dirt as he perked up an ear.
Listening intently he tried to catch whatever it was that had caught his attention again. It sounded...familiar, in a bad way. He couldn't tell for sure, it had been so brief, but his instincts prickled enough to assure him something had been there.
Perhaps he was…too far in his head on this?
His Chattering certainly wasn't helping to clear the matter up.
X-
Bird?
Don't be dumb
I didn't hear anything?
Hates us, hates us
Was that behind us?
What behind us?
Probably a cat
Keep moving
Shouldn't we check?
No
No time
Can't waste time
I swear I heard bird noise
Need to find Tommy
X-
"i know Chat. i'm trying" Techno muttered under his breath as he shook his head again, "would be a lot easier if you helped."
X-
Sorry
Trying
Too late, he hates us
Doesn't matter if he hates us
Shut up
Baby bird is hurting.
He cried
Has to be close
Keep looking
X-
Taking a deeper breath Techno looked around himself more thoroughly. He was just about in the center of Old Town, maybe a block off? Assuming Tommy was just rushing through the place he would have passed this area by now. If Techno was lucky then the kid had managed to get through the town entirely without getting picked up by an of the inhabitants.
If that were the case then Techno's search would be longer, but far better in the end.
He would prefer that.
If not…well, then Techno was in a good enough spot to hear any thrashing or screaming. It wasn't perfect, obviously, but for what he had estimated Tommy's traveling path to be, this was a fair midway point.
It wasn't going to be enough to replace actual legwork and searching though.
Techno's ears twitched again, still straining to hear a trace of anything familiar. Not just from the 'ghost noise' from before, but anything new that might lead him further on. Anything that would give him a direction.
There was a systematic way he should have gone about this search to increase efficiency, he knew that. But, he had already walked into the center of town without thinking. Doubling back to try again would only waste time, and it was already ticking away through his fingers.
Techno narrowed his eyes at the few shops around, which wasn't many. One seemed to overlook the center of town but…it didn't look right. Probably a front, but he wasn't interested in delving into it. Surely Tommy wouldn't have risked going into a place like that.
If Tommy were to take shelter…where would Tommy take shelter?
Techno paused and swallowed hard.
What kind of shop would get his brother's attention enough to take cover there? A weapon's shop? Like when he was younger? There weren't any food places in Old Town exactly and…Tommy wouldn't know what was down here so- So, would any old building do? Would- Could Tommy Be In That Shop?!
X-
Panic at the Techno
Can't focus
Its too late for us
Breathe
This isn't a good time
Can't be fixed
Shut
Doing our best
Calm
We can find him
Wasting time
Please focus!
One of us, remember?
Breathe
X-
Techno let out a gasp as he sucked in greedily at the air, suddenly aware he had been grasping at the front of his shirt. It had been a useless anchor really.
He didn't have time for that. For…for this. Panic was for behind closed doors. For when the danger was over and everyone was safe.
His Chattering wasn't the only one out of sync.
He needed to get control of himself.
His family was counting on him.
He needed to head for the far end of Old Town. To see if Tommy's tracks picked up after the cobble walk ended. If it didn't then Tommy could still be within town. If it did then obviously Techno just needed to follow it from there. No need to over search the place.
Techno took another moment for a deep breath, making sure he was centered enough to not be sloppy about it. He didn't need his Chattering to find Tommy. He just, needed to think clearly-
Techno had barely taken two steps when his heart stuttered a beat and his blood ran cold. The mostly silent air was ruptured by painfully familiar chirps and trills of distress and fear.
Techno turned on his heel, his body moving before his mind even realized he'd needed to change direction. The chill in his blood was replaced with a burning as his protective Piglin instincts surfaced sharply. If his Chattering was saying anything he couldn't hear it.
Not over the roar of his blood in his ears.
Not over the frightened screeches from his brother.
There were other voices too, but they didn't matter. If they were in the way then they would be cut down.
Another shout from Tommy, this one filled with pain along with his panic.
Techno was barely aware of slamming into the alleyway wall as he charged down it. He could see a scuffle, but there was someone in the way. Beyond them Techno could see the familiar flash of red feathers, hear the frantic beating of wings.
Within a blink the person in the way was gone, his view no long blocked.
Before Techno was his brother, on the ground and tangled in thorns while some guy was forcefully trying to tug him back by his wing.
The burning in his blood seared his veins and once more his body was moving before he was aware he gave the order. However, it was his desire that brought his hand up to clamp around the neck of the stranger. It was his will to dig his nails into the soft skin as he tightened hold and pulled the other back. It was his full and entire intention to grab the wrist of the bastard that was on Tommy's wing and twist it until it made a satisfying snapping sound.
Techno didn't know if the other had time to scream, or even air enough to. It didn't matter either way. Bringing his hand away from the guys wrist Techno brought it up to the front of the other's throat now, matching grip in full force with his first. With a deft twisting of his body Techno brought the other to the ground with enough force that he could see one of the cobble stones beneath them crack.
Techno didn't catch the look in the other's eyes, didn't notice the gaping of his mouth if he even did so. The guy could have been dead on impact but Techno had no idea. His body burned and his vision was seared red as he brought one of his hands back to hurl a nose shattering punch to the guy.
Several more punches there thrown before Techno winced at the pressure in his head.
His ears were ringing and he was panting heavily, a gruff and overly aggressive rumbled growl was radiating from him.
That….that was from him?
Sucking in a deeper breath Techno forced the sound to stop abruptly. He…he had never made a noise like Ithat/I before. What even-
X-
TOMMY!
CHECK TOMMY
TOMMY IS HURT
BABY BIRD IS CRYING
PAY ATTENTION TO US!
TOMMY NEEDS YOU!
X-
Techno winced again, a hand rising up to touch at his head. His Chattering was bellowing all at once and making his head literally pound. It took a second for the pain to level enough to actually hear the words but when the registers Techno's attention snapped behind him.
Tommy was on ground.
He was on the ground and his wings were up around him like a shell as he trembled.
There were shuddering peeps still coming from him but Tommy wasn't moving. He wasn't looking up or around himself for an escape nor shouting obscenities at his attackers. He…he looked so frail and terrified.
It broke Techno's heart.
Standing quickly Techno hastily wiped his hands on his sides before he tried to reach out to his brother. He didn't want to startle the kid, but he could tell quickly that Tommy wasn't breathing correctly. Techno didn't care if he was yelled at afterwards, he needed to get his brother to breathe.
"tommy" Techno murmured gently as he placed his hands cautiously on his brother's wings, the only place he could reach.
Instantly Tommy's wings convulsed, lashing out and flapping haphazardly at the perceived threat. There was a broken and almost guttural sob that accompanied it, but Techno tried to not think about that right now as he drew his hands back to himself.
He needed to calm Tommy down before he hurt himself.
Just as quickly as he removed them Techno placed his hands back on his brothers' wings. He kept them laying flat and with only enough pressure to keep them relatively close to Tommy's body. With limited space they couldn't hurt Techno nor could Tommy strain them too much in his attempts to do so.
"shhhhhh, its okay. you're okay now." Techno murmured as soothingly as he could as he fought to keep his words spoken in Common.
He wasn't sure if Tommy could even hear him, in fact, he was pretty sure the other couldn't, but that didn't stop him. It also didn't deter him from letting out a rumbling set of chuffs, hoping his brother's instincts would be able to latch onto it somehow.
Techno wasn't entirely versed in how avian hybrid instincts worked despite the house he grew up in. It was usually on a 'need to know this now' basis. His father tried his best but, not everything could be taught. Techno just, had to hope this would work similar to Piglins and the background noise of it would be soothing enough.
"its okay. i'm here. you're *safe*. it's going to be okay now. *i got you*." Techno continued to assure his baby brother, Piglin words slipping past him.
Slowly the trembling peeps quieted and Tommy's wings grew still. They were still heaving in time with the teens body, but they weren't fluttering about any longer.
Techno drew in a steadying and relieved breath at this development. His brother was calming down. Not enough to be lucid yet he didn't think, but Tommy didn't appear to be hyperventilating anymore at the very least.
It was progress.
"that's good. just like that. easy breaths, in and out. just like we practiced."
Praying to Prime with every non-believing part of his body Techno chanced this being a positive progression and slid his hands to the edge of Tommy's wings. He gingerly started to stroke along the edge of them, careful not to curl his fingers in any way. With all the abuse the poor things had suffered lately Techno didn't want to trigger any memories by accident.
It was just…when Tommy was younger he'd enjoyed having them pet when he was upset. The kid had been in single digits at the time, but, if it was soothing then it should be just as soothing now, right? Like how Wilbur could be calmed by having his face or wrist scales traced gently. It- surely it was the same. It had to be, because other wise Techno wasn't sure what he was doing and was running on blind luck to get Tommy stable again.
He didn't like the idea of relying on blind luck.
Not when his siblings were on the line.
"in and out. you got this, tommy. *you got this*." Keeping his tone low and soothing Techno dared to inch closer to his brother as he spoke, "*nice and steady.*"
He didn't have time to care about altering dialects at this point. Tommy understood Piglin enough to be able to know these words.
Techno didn't try to initiate further contact just yet, but he tried his best to peek under Tommy's wings to get a better look at him. Prime, the kid was still so small for his age. Techno had assumed it just, situational things that gave him that impression. Being held captive by a larger attacker, nostalgia while he carried the teen home, being placed in Wil's double sized bed, being sick- he could go on but…he didn't need to.
Tommy was just…small.
He was tall, sure. But at his age he should be more than just…he wasn't even 'lean' like Wilbur. Techno knew it wasn't from lack of food or care. Not at home.
X-
Baby bird
ScaredInnit
Stressed chick
X-
Techno swallowed thick as the ever growing twisted weight in his gut tightened.
Now wasn't the time to think about that. Later, at home, when Tommy was safely tucked in once more and perhaps in a more…communicative mood. At the very least when he was breathing correctly.
"its gunna be okay, i promise. just, keep breathing." Techno continued to murmur, trying to keep his voice even and assuring.
He couldn't think of anything to say to Tommy aside from words he recalled his father telling him under…similar circumstances.
Painfully similar circumstances.
He could only hope they were helping Tommy the same way-
Techno's thought cut out abruptly as Tommy suddenly lurched up from the ground. His movements were jerky and uncoordinated, but he was fast all the same. Before Techno could fully comprehend it his baby brother was crawling- no, clawing into his lap. More then that Tommy was practically climbing up his front all the while desperate and fragile trills fell from his mouth.
Tommy was trembling badly and even Techno's carefully firm hold around him wasn't enough to cause it to lessen. All Techno could think to do was mind Tommy's more tender spots until he settled. He still didn't think Tommy was entirely aware of himself just yet, but some part of his brother's brain knew what it wanted. The part that housed the stronger of his hybrid instincts and knew what comfort to seek while distressed.
He hoped that were the case.
That anger aside Tommy somehow still knew Techno would be there for him when he needed help.
That Techno would be there when he needed protection and safety.
Techno would do what he could to comply with that need.
He wouldn't let Tommy suffer down the same path he did-
When Tommy nuzzled his face into Techno's chest he could feel his instincts flare sharply, once more cutting his thoughts off. His chest vibrated with his 'Piglin Purr', which was loud enough to easily be heard at a distance. His Chattering were a mixing muddle of sound humming at the back of his head, only a few words dipping through. The familiar 'Baby bird' and 'Sounder' mixing with the returned 'Runt' that hadn't been called up since they were kids.
Tommy wasn't a 'child' anymore technically, he was a teenager in full credit. However, right now Techno's instincts were insisting he were naught but a shoat. A tiny trembling thing he needed to shelter and console and squirrel away from the dangers of the Overworld.
The next words to leave Techno's mouth were in Piglin fully. Renewed assurances that Tommy was safe, promises that the danger had passed, a rumbled pledge that it would never happen again.
Techno meant every word of it.
Tommy seemed to respond to the words, or at least to the sound of them. He hugged ever closer to Techno, face once more pressing against him in a nuzzle. Techno ran his hand through the kids hair briefly before leaning over to tuck Tommy's head under his chin.
Right where Tommy belonged.
Techno continued to speak in Piglin as it was the first time Tommy seemed responsive to him. This made it easier to emit the occasional chuffing to affirm his words further. Something that was a bit harder to do when speaking Common. Not by too much, but the noises were far easier to intermingle with Piglin words. It gave them more depth in their meaning that his family, not being Piglin hybrids themselves, couldn't fully translate over even while knowing the language.
Something solely for Techno to know.
Though right now he wished dearly that Tommy could know it too.
Taking a steadying breath Techno shifted his head enough to nuzzle back, the most he could do at the moment for a show of affection. His face was practically buried in Tommy's hair, placing a small kiss before nuzzling again with a short chuff. Tommy's panic appeared to be easing up now thankfully.
Even if Techno didn't know what side of his brother he'd be met with afterwards it would, in all ways, be better than see him shivering in fear.
Shifting one of his hands carefully Techno tried to rub a soothing circle on his brother's back to help him relax further. He frowned though when he felt instead Tommy tense up further. He felt the pit of his stomach drop when Tommy started to shove himself away.
"*Its okay, Tommy. Its just me-*" Techno started to say, hoping to stop the new fit before it got out of hand.
"Let go of me!" Tommy hissed out with a tremble.
Tommy's voice still held a rasp from his recent cold which helped to color his words with more bite than normal. It was the blonds thrashing though that made Techno believe that he meant every bit of it even if it hadn't been intentional.
"*Just, calm down. Don't hurt yourself*" Techno tried once more, though his words were still spoken fully in Piglin.
"Shut up and let me go, Technoblade!" Tommy snapped again.
Tommy had both hands pressed to Techno's chest as he continued to shove, though his legs were a bit too awkwardly placed to help him currently. He wasn't using his wings at all against Techno though, which he noted, though Tommy was still flapping them about wildly. While they scuffled Tommy seemed to be ignoring the strained whine that was trying to press passed all his yelling. Techno, however, couldn't seem to hear much over it.
"*Tommy-*"
"Get your hands off me!"
"*Tomm-*"
"-Right now! I mean it!"
"*Tommy, enough! Stop moving!*" Techno finally snapped, the words snarling out harsher than intended.
However, the effect was instantaneous.
Tommy stilled, his wings drew in towards his back and an apologetic trill bubbled out of him. Judging by how strangled it sounded it wasn't a noise made voluntarily. A thought that only made Techno more concerned as his stomach twisted with guilt.
Techno was honestly torn on the effect he'd just had on his brother. On the one hand Tommy was no longer a threat to himself for the moment. He was panting hard and had his eyes pinched shut tightly, but he wasn't moving or flailing about. It pulled at Techno's instincts all the more; confirmation that Tommy was still a shoat responding to the scolding of an elder.
On the other hand, the reaction also meant Techno had terrified his brother. Just to get him stationary. Just to get him to stop fighting. His brother who was loud, headstrong and refused to cower for anything.
Techno swallowed hard and tried not to think about it. He hadn't had a choice really. He just…had to make use of it now.
"*i'm looking you over, okay? just, sit still and breath.*" Techno directed in a softer tone than before.
Or at least a softer volume.
Piglin language didn't really do 'softer' anything.
Tommy's body shuddered, his hands digging into Techno's shirt more as he fought to nod his head. His jaw was clamped shut but there was still enough of a whine escaping Tommy for Techno to hear.
"*its okay. You- don't hold it in.*" Techno tried to reassure, "*only us. don't pull away, okay? you were attacked and I need to make sure you're okay.*"
Tommy opened his mouth as if to reply, but when a trembled peep came out instead he snapped it closed again. He gave a tentative nod, but with enough of a dramatic huff to show he wasn't happy about it.
Taking what he could get Techno moved them enough so that Tommy was resettled in his lap. Honestly, too many times in the past month they'd been in this position. Too many times in the past month he was playing medic to his siblings-
Techno shook his head to clear it from the rising anger. As ever, time and place. Right now Tommy came first.
Speaking of first, Techno focused his eyes on Tommy's wing that had been grabbed earlier before all else. He knew he wanted to investigate it sooner rather than later, considering the rough hold that the bastard had had on it. However, Techno had sense enough in him to know Tommy probably wouldn't allow that. Unlike when they were younger he…Tommy didn't trust Techno to touch his wings.
It hurt to admit even just in his head, but Techno had no doubt. Since being back home and around Tommy the teen hadn't once let him touch even a feather on them. Not for medical aid, preening, let alone casual brushing. Even now Techno wasn't sure if the pets from earlier were really even a good idea even if Tommy was calmed now.
The point remained that Tommy most likely wouldn't like nor allow Techno to touch his wings now that he back in focus. Techno would respect that of course. He would have their father or Wil look them over later. So long as they weren't broken or actively bleeding, which they didn't appear to be at a glance.
With a heavy breath Techno moved on, forcing his eyes down off the feathery limbs. His gut twisted seeing the shaking of his brother's hands, but also because of the trickling blood that seeped from dozens of cuts and gashes up and along his arms. Techno carefully grazed his fingers over them, delicately turning Tommy's arms over to see all sides.
They didn't look particularly deep at any point, there were just a lot of them.
X-
Glass bits
Tender
Splinters?
None in his skin
Runt is stressed
X-
Chat spoke up in his ear and Techno was relieved they were at least being somewhat helpful again. He carefully ran a nail gingerly along one of the cuts, making sure there wasn't, in fact, any glass shards hiding in it. He wished he had some sort of medical supplies on him, but for now a look over would have to do.
As he handled Tommy's arms and hands Techno couldn't help but notice they were…shaking rather a lot. Even with the discomfort of his injuries and Techno poking at them it shouldn't be this bad. He'd literally patched Tommy up from worse before with less trembling.
Glancing towards his brother's face Techno could see the wincing despite the care he was trying to take with his check over. Tommy swallowed hard with his eyes pinched shut still, forcing down another noise that Techno could just barely hear.
"*Stop-*" Techno started to reprimand before pausing himself.
Taking a deep breath he tried again, this time with more focus on not speaking in Piglin. While Tommy understood it well enough it was less calm sounding. Something he figured Tommy needed more of right now.
"Stop holding it back. Its not good for you." Techno stated with a steadying breath as he looked at Tommy's face once more.
A grimace seemed to spread for a moment before a scowl overtook it. Tommy opened his eyes just enough to form glare, though it was still mostly a squint.
"shut" Tommy breathed out.
Another noise tried to bubble out with the word but Tommy was quick to cut it off. However, Techno knew well enough how painful it was to do so. He knew how hard and how dangerous that sort of suppression was.
"Stop doing that. Its not good for you." Techno chided once more, a deeper frown on his face this time.
Tommy held up his glare once more and tried to form a growl. However it was impossible to make out over the pained whine that filtered over it. Tommy let out an annoyed huff at that before once more trying to push himself from Techno's hold.
"Tommy-"
"I'm fine. Don't need your help-"
"Stop moving, Tommy. You can't just-"
"You Don't Get To Tell Me What To Do, Technoblade!" Tommy snapped, ignoring the distressed peeps that escaped him as he once more tried to wrench himself free with a fresh burst of energy.
Techno almost lost his grip on his brother at the new effort.
"Stop Running From Me!" Techno snapped back at him, gripping onto Tommy's wrist just enough to keep the other from getting away from him.
It wasn't a strong hold, but it had Tommy wincing sharply and drawing back in towards himself. Something that didn't go unnoticed by Techno, who could now feel an angry heat rising in his chest as he kept Tommy's wrist locked in place. He could see a familiar discoloration to the skin that, after so long after the kidnapping event should have faded.
It should have, for a normal bruising.
Unless-
X-
Tender chicken nugget
Bird bones?
Held back
Smothered-
X-
Tommy started to pull away again but Techno held firm, pointedly ignoring his Chattering for the moment. He already knew at this point. The signs were there and if he had any doubts then the next swallowed down distressed chirp from Tommy brushed it away.
"Tommy-"
"Don't."
"You Need To Listen To Your Inst-"
"I Don't Need You Of All People Telling Me To Listen To My 'Instincts'!" Tommy shouted over him with a rasped growl.
The sound wasn't exactly effective given Tommy's shaking and stuttered breathes in his continued struggle, but Techno could hear the warning in it all the same. And all the same Techno wasn't going to let this go.
"Well I'm Going To Because You Need To Hear It! You Need To Let It Out Tommy!" Techno tried to explain while also trying not to hug Tommy too hard to keep him still, or at least less loose.
"If It Weren't For These Fucking 'Instincts' Then We Wouldn't Be In This Mess To Begin With!" Tommy rasped out once more, though sounding more frustrated than before.
Techno couldn't help the furrowing of his brow at that as he tried to look at his brother's face to see if he were serious. Tommy had a tell if he was just bullshitting nonsense to fill the air and despite how serious things felt it was still his first instinct to check at being confused.
"Heh?" The questioning sound left his mouth as he failed to confirm, Tommy twisting enough to keep full sight of his face away from him.
However, the noise caused Tommy to flop back a moment and pant for breath, the failed escape attempts tiring him out.
"This- This Fucking- Imprinting Bullshit!" Tommy replied with an infuriated huff, "Stupid, Useless Shit. Keeping you hovering around and just- fucking-"
Tommy's voice lowered down by the end of his half started rant. He'd had to break off in order to take in a deeper breath which at least gave the two of them a moment before Techno could even form a proper reply.
"...Tommy, I'm not- … This isn't from 'imprinting'. Piglins don't, uh…we don't 'imprint'." Techno tried to inform as delicately as he could, "That's, sort of an Avian thing."
Techno could feel the rumble of annoyance in Tommy's chest as he tried to growl again. Though this time it was too breathy to really be heard, coming out more like a scoff instead.
"If its not in your 'instincts' than what? What is it? Why are you here?" Tommy asked, the words bubbling out of his mouth as a suppressed shudder traveled his spine, "Why are you doing- doing this?"
Tommy's free hand came up just enough to motion to the two of them. Tommy was still awkwardly entangled against Techno's chest, his wings were twitching at his back as if fighting the urge to just tuck in and settle. One of Techno's arms was still wrapped around Tommy's back to hold in steady while his other remained grasping at one of Tommy's wrists.
Techno was honestly speechless. What was he supposed to say to this? What answer was Tommy looking for here? Even his Chattering had gone quiet at the questioning leaving Techno solo to try to piece this out.
"You're my brother, Tommy." Techno started slowly, "You're my brother and I care about you. That's why I'm here…doing this. Because I love you."
"don't feed me that bullshit." Tommy voice croaked, his voice tight, "Don't you dare."
"Its not bullsh-"
"Don't Fucking Lie To Me! That's What You're Doing You Fucking Liar!" Tommy snarled out as he started to thrash about once more, "I Hate You! Fuck Off!"
"Tommy-!"
"I- I D-Don't Want To- To Hear It!" Tommy stammered out breathlessly, wincing in pain and causing Techno to seethe under his own skin at the continued fight, "Just- Let Me Go!"
"I'm Not Going To Do That, Tommy! Because I'm Not An Idiot!" Techno growled out as he pulled up Tommy's hand enough to be in front of the other now, "Hate Me All You Want, But You Have To Stop Doing This To Yourself!"
Tommy winced again as he focused hard on keeping his eyes downcast and away from his own hand. Techno pressed a thumb over Tommy's palm and watched with a growing heat in his chest as his brother's face pinched up in pain, biting his lower lip to keep from whining, which didn't work out in the end.
"Do You Know What This Is? Because I Do." Techno pressed on as Tommy continued to refuse to open his eyes.
Tommy's hand and up his wrist was partially turned a few shades of black and blue in patches. Bruises setting under the skin as opposed to over it. It was even red in a few places as if threatening to turn into blood blisters. It made Techno's stomach turn to see, his anger and nausea mixing unpleasantly. He could even tell they were forming in other places on his brother as well, like his ankles which were currently exposed. Techno would bet Tommy had more of them hidden under his unkempt curls that conveniently hid his ears.
Initially it had been hard to tell them apart from the injuries from the kidnapping, but now it made all the more sense. In truth, Techno had to admit, he probably wouldn't have considered it even with most of the signs. He just…wouldn't have ever considered it for Tommy. But…
Under skin bruises.
Excessive tenderness at the touch.
Extreme erratic emotional behavior.
The three key mark signs of Hybrid Trait Suppression.
Right under his families nose. Right under his own. Techno wasn't sure if it made it better or worse to say he just, wasn't home enough to notice the changes in his baby brother. His father and Wilbur though? They should have seen it, they should have noticed.
"I-its None Of Your Business!" Tommy shouted as he finally drew his eyes up at Techno in a sharp glare.
It only lasted a moment or so before the kid dropped them back down to now stare at his captive hand. Tommy didn't say anything more, but his wings shivered and jerked at his back in his discomfort. He still wasn't using them to attack and while part of Techno was grateful, part of him grew ever more worried for it.
If what Tommy had said before, about imprinting…If Tommy had imprinted on him, at this age-
"I Don't Know What I Did, Tommy, But You Don't Need To Like Me To Listen To Me!" Techno continued to scold more out of fear than anger now.
He was running his thumb over Tommy's wrist at this point, not to cause more pain but to try to sooth it. He knew how painful it could be at this stage. Tommy didn't try to tug it free despite the opening to do so. In fact he…he seemed to have stopped struggling all together.
Was the thumb massage that effective-
" 'don't know what you did'?" Tommy's voice came out quiet but bitter.
Techno felt his stomach drop at the tone and his hand stilled.
"Don't know what you fucking did?! Are you kidding me?" Tommy ground out as he gave Techno a shove to the shoulder.
If it weren't for how they were settled currently it would have been enough to knock him back a step.
"You fucking abandoned us, but you 'don't know what you did'?!" Tommy shouted and for practically the dozenth time that day Techno felt the air leave his lungs.
Techno felt his breath catch as a coldness ran down his back. The word 'abandoned' echoed in his head, or that might have been Chat chewing the word over with despair. Honestly, him too Chat. The word felt entirely too big to be accurate, but with the look on Tommy' face and the tone he used…Tommy really felt that way.
"Walking Around Like A Fucking 'Golden Child', 'Big Man That Can Do No Wrong Ever' Fucking Prick! Perfect Fucking Technoblade Who Doesn't Have Time For Anyone But Himself! Fucking Avoiding Me, Not Talking To Me No Matter What I Did! You Didn't Want To Do Anything With Me! Ever! And Then- And Then You Fucking Left Us!" Tommy continued to shout, breaking down as the words spilled from him with a vengeance.
Techno could do nothing but sit and listen and grow more and more confused. He had only for a brief moment thought he knew what Tommy might have been talking about. That, however, broke away under his feet the longer his brother went on for.
"You Left Us All Behind As If We Were Nothing! You Never Reached Out Or Anything! Dad And Wil Had To Practically Pull Your Teeth Out To Get You To Talk And When They Did You Made Them Stop Visiting! As If Having A Family Was Just Too Much For 'The Blood God' To Handle! Didn't Want To Ruin Your Reputation By Having an Avian Family Instead of Other Piglins?! Was That It?"
Techno stomach twisted again as he felt a whine crawl up his own throat. He didn't press it down like usual, but Tommy didn't seem to hear it either way.
"It Must Have Been Because You Never Came Home For Anything! Cut And Run To The City Without Looking Back At Any Of Us! Must Have Been Great For You Out There, So Much Easier Without Having To Look At Us Every Day. Not Needing To Pretend To Care."
Tommy was panting hard now but he didn't seem close to stopping, though his volume was dropping due to his lack of proper breath. He was shaking as he spoke, fingers of his free hand digging into Techno's shirt though he barely noticed.
"And Now You Come Back And Try To Put The Mask On All Over Again. As If I'd Fall For That Again. As if I'd allow for that again. Not now. Not anymore. I'm not a kid. I don't- don't need you to 'protect' me or 'save' me anymore. No one here is going to be impressed, because as soon as you leave here again no one will care." Tommy was speaking more breathless now but it was still audible, "You can't just, come back and expect to play 'hero' or 'big brother' because you feel like it. You gave up those titles years ago."
Techno couldn't help himself as he let out a despairing chuffle and nuzzled his face into Tommy's hair. His heart ached and his lungs hurt and he just, couldn't stand to hear the growing anguish in his brother's voice. Tommy was shaking hard against him, leaning into Techno's chest so he could feel the heaving breaths being taken.
Tommy was more focused on his words now and no longer choking down the sorrowful and desperate chirps that bubbled out of his mouth at each breath. Techno was rocking them both now, giving Tommy a gentle squeeze as a particularly sad whimper drew out of him.
Techno's Chattering was in a cloud of distress as well but he wasn't listening to them. His focus was on Tommy and Tommy alone. His baby brother was falling apart in his arms and he had no idea if he was being helpful or harmful as he wrapped both arms around him. He tried to rub soothing circles on his back with one hand while the other continued to just hold Tommy close.
Tommy himself was working on stifling a sob even as he pulled himself closer to Techno, wiping his eyes on Techno's shirt. He was a mess. They both were. Techno couldn't even think of what to do but to try to give assuring chuffs, even if they were a bit strained from him now.
"i-" Tommy started, choking on his tears as Techno tried to gentle shoosh him, "i've missed you"
Techno's heart ached further at the tender spoken words. He fought to return them, but Tommy was speaking again before he could.
"i don't care if its real anymore or not. it doesn't have to be. i can handle the lie i just-" Tommy swallowed hard as he rubbed his face into Techno's chest once more, "i just want that back again. i want 'Techno' back again. any part of him you have left. even if its just once in a while, before you go. that's all i want and- and i'll never bother you again."
Techno hugged Tommy tighter and nuzzled his face fully into his brother's hair. His chuffles were almost replaced with distress squeals of his own as he cried. Tommy had sounded so defeated, so desperate. He believed every word he was saying and it only hurt Techno all the more to realize.
Tommy really didn't think Techno loved him.
Tommy had no idea at all that Techno cherished him so much.
Tommy felt abandoned by him, had been hurt by him, and all this time Techno had no idea.
There was nothing in all that existed that could hurt him worse than knowing he'd failed his baby brother so completely.
But… there also wasn't anything in existence that would stop him from making it up to him either.
