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Technoblade and Tubbo had a mutual understanding.
It started with Tommy.
It started with a tiny sixteen-year-old with brown floppy hair and a sword too big for his body cornering Techno in one of the many alcoves of Pogtopia and demanding to know his intentions toward his best friend.
“I don’t know where you came from,” the kid hissed, the tip of his blade level with Techno’s heart. “But I don’t trust you. If you think for even a second that just because Wilbur’s going off the rails you can do whatever the hell you want with Tommy, you’re sorely mistaken.”
The boy’s – Tubbo’s – arm was shaking – mostly likely at the weight of the sword, but he made no move to lower it. There was a steely determination in his eyes that caught Techno’s attention. He couldn’t help but admire the kid’s fierce protectiveness, however misguided, over Tommy.
(Chat cooed in his head at the small boy, and even Techno couldn’t help his amusement at this poor kid that thought he stood any chance in a fight against him.)
“So, I suppose Wilbur didn’t mention me, did he?” Techno said mildly, hands raised in a placating manner, though he was definitively unconcerned about his safety.
Tubbo’s grip on his sword only tightened. His eyes narrowed. “No. He didn’t.”
A smile. “My name is Technoblade. You might’ve heard of me.”
He knew exactly the connotations his name carried. He’d made a name for himself in the battle arenas and in taking down corrupt governments. When he’d left home, he’d carved a place out for himself in the world, proved himself time and time again until he was a god in the eyes of ordinary people. His name was one whispered in stories – one that invoked fear and excitement and respect.
Tubbo’s eyes widened in clear recognition before he glared, not lowering the sword. “That doesn’t change anything.”
Techno huffed in amusement, a little impressed by the kid’s stupidity. “Well, how about this then? Wilbur, Tommy and I practically grew up together after Phil took us in. They’re my brothers.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“You can check my story against Tommy’s.” Techno shrugged. “And come on, the kid’s never talked about his big brother Techno?”
Tubbo hesitated, considering. “If you hurt Tommy, I’m going to take out your kneecaps.”
Techno raised an eyebrow at the threat, but Tubbo finally lowered the sword, sheathing it back at his side. He looked Techno up and down with open suspicion, but seemed to put enough faith in his words to not attack him on the spot (thankfully, because it would not have ended well for the kid and it probably wouldn’t go down well with Tommy if Techno had to knock out his friend.)
“Tubbo?” a voice called at that moment. Seconds later, Tommy stumbled into view, helmet askew, but a brightening smile at the sight of them. “Hey! What’re you two up to?”
“Just getting to know your brother,” Tubbo replied, carefully watching Tommy’s reaction.
Tommy grinned at Techno, standing up straighter. “My big brother, The Blade,” he boasted happily, helmet falling over his eyes.
Techno couldn’t help his affectionate smile, reaching out to straighten Tommy’s helmet. “My little brother, the gremlin child.”
Tommy scowled, batting his hand away and pushing at him light-heartedly. “Fuck you! I’m the fucking biggest man alive!”
“Sure,” Techno agreed mildly. “Is Wilbur around?”
It didn’t escape Techno’s notice the way Tommy deflated slightly at the mention of their brother, crossing his arms. (He’d been doing that a lot recently.) “I think he’s sleeping.”
Techno smiled. “Perfect. How about I show you and Tubbo how to make weapons and armour that actually fits you?”
Tommy perked up but Tubbo frowned at him distrustfully. “Me too?”
“Your sword’s bigger than you are,” Techno pointed out dryly. “If you’re going to be my ally, I’d prefer you use a weapon you can actually fight with.”
“Techno’s the best at crafting weapons,” Tommy chimed in excitedly, tugging Tubbo by the hand back toward the main area.
Tubbo offered Techno a cautious smile before letting Tommy drag him away. Techno followed them.
“Do you know what happens to traitors, Tubbo?”
“Hey, Technoblade, do you wanna come up here for a second?"
“I wasn’t lying, you know?”
Tubbo wrapped his arms around himself to hide the way his hands were still shaking after the attack. He was still wearing his tattered suit from his position as Secretary of State and he could still hear the echo of fireworks going off in his ears, but he forced himself to meet Technoblade’s eyes.
“I do forgive you,” Tubbo offered quietly. (He could still picture that exact moment the panic in Techno’s eyes cleared to a grim resolve. The exact moment Tubbo realised he was going to die.) “I don’t like you. I don’t trust you. But I forgive you.”
“And why should this matter to me?” Techno asked, raising his eyebrows. That same blasé attitude he’d maintained this whole time that made Tubbo bristle, glaring at the ground.
“Because of Tommy,” Tubbo stated shortly. Because he didn’t give a fuck about Techno or his complete and utter lack of remorse. He and Techno weren’t friends. They never had been. He didn’t care about how nonchalant the self-proclaimed blood god was about taking his second life.
But Tommy did.
Tommy had been furious and hurt and betrayed by his brother’s actions, a million apologises and curses spilling from his lips as he fussed over Tubbo in the aftermath of the festival. There was something slightly broken in his voice, as he swore at Techno afterwards, a newfound uncertainty in the way he regarded the one family member he thought he could trust.
“Because Tommy won’t forgive you if I don’t,” Tubbo said softly, and it was a strange, strange power he held in his hands. Certainly not one that he wanted. “Hell, I think Tommy’d stop talking to you completely if he thought it’d make me happy.”
He locked eyes with Techno. “Tommy needs a brother right now. Wilbur’s clearly not stepping up to the plate, so you’ll have to do.”
Because he’d seen Tommy and Techno together. He’d seen Tommy’s starry-eyed hero-worship for his older brother, and the way Techno bore it with a slightly exasperated, but fond patience. He’d seen the way Techno impressed safer duties upon Tommy, taking up any scouting missions that arose even as Tommy whined and complained about it.
And maybe a small part of Tubbo hated Technoblade. Loathed him for giving into fucking peer pressure and publicly executing him. But he didn’t have a lot of options. He’d seen the way Wilbur was treating Tommy, and he’d seen the way Tommy just accepted it. He needed more than Tubbo could give him.
He and Techno could, at the very least, agree on one thing. And that was Tommy.
“Wilbur was always better at handling Tommy,” Techno said and Tubbo resisted the urge to punch him for the pathetic excuse.
“Well, Wilbur’s fucking losing it!” Tubbo snapped. “So you need to fucking step up, alright?!”
Techno stared at him, long and considering. “Alright,” he finally agreed. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Wilbur’s at it again.”
Techno sighed, not looking up from carefully stirring his potion. “One moment.”
“Hurry the fuck up.”
“I will literally blow up Pogtopia if I don’t finish this first.”
“Oh, go ahead,” Tubbo said amiably. “You’ve got such a good history with explosions around me anyway.”
Techno scowled. “It was peer pressure.”
“Go fuck yourself.”
So, perhaps he’d earned himself the casual animosity Tubbo now regarded him with after he’d taken the kid’s second life.
Techno stood, deeming the potion stable, and neither of them wasted any more words as Techno briskly followed Tubbo through the ravine. The kid ducked out of sight just as Techno came across Wilbur and Tommy. Tommy, almost backed into a corner, looking smaller than ever, and Wilbur standing almost triumphantly before him.
Tommy had that scared, guarded look in his eyes again. There was a tinge of concern in his gaze as he regarded Wilbur, but it quickly turned to relief when he spotted Techno. It didn’t escape his notice how Tommy shoved his hands into his pockets to hide their shaking.
“I need to borrow Tommy,” Techno voiced monotonously.
Wilbur didn’t even spare him a glance, remaining fixated on Tommy. “Whatever it is, just take Tubbo.”
“I can’t.” Techno shrugged. “I’m brewing potions. Tubbo’s dyslexic. Last time he got the measurements wrong and almost blew us all up.”
Finally, Wilbur turned to face him. “Are you fucking serious?”
There was clear disgust in the jeer that twisted Wilbur’s lips. An unfamiliar manic glint in his eyes.
(Techno wondered briefly where his brother had gone.)
“I mean, if you want us to all die…”
And Techno waited for Wilbur to concoct some excuse for Tommy to stay, so he could sink his claws into him some more, but Wilbur stilled. A strange calm seemed to envelope him, and he smiled almost coldly.
“Sure. Go ahead, Tommy. I’ll talk to you later.”
Wilbur briefly placed a hand on Tommy’s shoulder, squeezing, before he headed off. Techno didn’t bother watching him go, instead focusing on the way Tommy froze up at the touch before wrapping his arms around himself and turning to face Techno, clearing his throat roughly.
“Are you really letting me brew potions?” Tommy asked hopefully.
Techno scoffed. “Absolutely not. You can read me the instructions while I brew them.”
Tommy scowled, huffing in faux anger even as the tension seeped out of his body. “Fuck you, bitch. You never let me have any fun.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Techno made an effort to not eye the way Tommy was clearly holding himself together. “You alright?” he asked gruffly.
Tommy tensed. “Never been better.”
“Alright,” Techno agreed readily. “Come on. Maybe if you’re good, I’ll let you add the nether wart.”
Tommy brightened and when Techno carefully placed an arm around his shoulders, he didn’t flinch. It was the best he could hope for, really.
(He could do this. Even if it was the fifteenth time just that week, and he had a million more ahead of him. He could do this for his brother.)
“Tommy.”
Techno didn’t even bother looking up as he acknowledged his brother entering the room, too busy focusing on his smelting. For all their grand words and plans, Tommy and Wilbur didn’t know much about conducting a revolution. He hadn’t been all too surprised when the grunt work fell to him.
The response was quiet. Weak. “Hey, Techno.”
And he did look up at that, frowning at the boy who’d perched himself on an empty furnace, arms wrapped around himself as he stared down at his feet.
“You alright, Tommy?”
The pause only magnified Techno’s worry and he glanced over his furnaces one more time before wiping his hands off on his pants and sitting down beside Tommy. He didn’t like it when Tommy got like this – all quiet and withdrawn and small. It wasn’t him. And there was only ever one reason for it – a reason that was becoming far too common in the past few weeks.
“Did Wilbur say something?”
The way Tommy hunched further into himself was answer enough.
And fuck, because Techno wasn’t good in these situations. He could tell that Tommy needed to talk about it. Needed someone to listen and reassure him. And in their childhood, that had always fallen to Wilbur. Wilbur was the one Tommy trusted with his emotions and secrets and worries.
(Wilbur wasn’t an option anymore.)
“Do you really think Tubbo blames me for the festival?”
“What the fuck?”
Tommy stared at the ground. “I mean, me and Tubbo weren’t taking the war seriously enough. I kept messaging him and he kept sneaking off to see me. It was my fault Schlatt found out, wasn’t it?”
For a moment Techno was speechless before he shook his head, getting to his feet. “No, absolutely not. One second, Tommy.”
“Wait, don’t-”
But Techno had already left, making a beeline for Tubbo’s room and knocking loudly. Tommy’s panicked protests followed him. He pushed open the door to a dark room.
A yawning Tubbo propped himself up on one elbow, scowling at Techno. “What the fuck do you want?”
“Wilbur,” Techno merely stated, and Tubbo sat up properly, the sleepiness leaving his eyes. “This one’s on you.”
“No, fuck, Tubbo.” Tommy finally arrived, stumbling over his words. “I’m really sorry Techno bothered you, you can go back to sleep.”
“Tommy thinks the festival was his fault,” Techno deadpanned. He gently shoved Tommy into the room, in the direction of Tubbo. “Discuss.”
And Techno knew that Tubbo was weird about touch sometimes, but as Tommy stumbled forward, the shorter boy opened his arms without hesitation and Tommy all but fell into them. Tommy was crying – Techno could tell from his shaky breaths, even as his face remained buried in Tubbo’s shoulder – but Tubbo was undeterred, running a soothing hand down Tommy’s back.
Tubbo nodded at him shortly. I’ve got this one.
Techno nodded back, and he left. Instead of heading to bed, as he’d planned, he gathered his gear for another mining trip. The sooner they finished up this war, the sooner Wilbur would go back to normal and the sooner they’d be able to get Tommy the help he needed.
They just needed to hold on for a few more weeks.
"You want to be a hero, Tommy? Then die like one!”
“Dream, please detain and escort Tommy out of my country.”
“Hello Technoblade.”
Techno stilled before sighing. He pulled out his axe as he turned around. “Tubbo.”
The young president was a far cry from the scared kid he’d met in Pogtopia. He was in a similar outfit to his suit from Manberg’s days, something stiff and formal that didn’t flatter him. There was an age-old weariness in his eyes as he regarded Techno, very different from the mix of anger and fear Techno had known.
“You’re not supposed to be here,” Tubbo stated.
“Must’ve taken a wrong turn at spawn,” Techno deadpanned, because like hell was he going to admit he’d been visiting Phil. “My bad. Now unless you wanna start a fight you can’t win, I suggest you let me leave.”
In truth, Tubbo disgusted him. The boy was the very embodiment of everything Techno swore to destroy. The kid had the nerve to stand before him, unarmed, an unlawfully instated president via a hostile government takeover, leader of a corrupt and immoral government that apparently held no regard for loyalty, and somehow expected Techno not to attack him.
There was the familiar pound of blood in his ears as he took in his foe. His fingers twitched around his axe. In his head, voices called for Tubbo’s death. Blood for the blood god. Blood for the blood god. Blood for the blood god.
Tubbo sighed. “I can’t believe you told him to die like a hero.”
Techno went still, the voices dying down to just a murmur. He knew what Tubbo was talking about.
“I can’t believe you exiled him.”
Tubbo nodded, looking tired.
But there was an anger building in Techno now, sharp and forceful. “He was your best friend, and you caved to Dream?! You let Dream push you into exiling him? What kind of friend does that?”
“A pretty crappy one.”
“This is what I’ve been saying!” Techno scowled. “Government corrupts! What the hell happened to that kid who threatened me over Tommy in Pogtopia? You were supposed to look out for him!”
“So were you,” Tubbo replied evenly. There was a sad smile on his face. “You were his brother, and you were supposed to protect him. I guess you could say we both messed up.”
Techno glared. He didn’t bother with a response.
“Would you… visit him?” Tubbo asked hesitantly, twisting his hands. “Just… check up on him?”
“What – you can’t face him yourself?” Techno questioned scornfully.
Tubbo sighed, looking away. “I don’t think I have the right,” he said softly. “I’m probably the last person he wants to see right now.”
“And I’m probably a close second.”
Tubbo scoffed lightly, shaking his head. “God, you just don’t see the way he looks at you, do you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Tommy idolises you,” Tubbo said bitterly. “You should’ve heard the way he used to brag about his big brother, The Blade. You’re his hero.”
Tubbo practically spat out the last word and Techno wondered if he too was remembering Techno’s speech to Tommy before he’d unleashed those withers.
That’s what happens to heroes, Tommy.
"Phil’s his hero.”
“Phil wasn’t the one who protected him from Wilbur in Pogtopia,” Tubbo stated quietly. “Phil wasn’t the one who sparred with him or helped him with enchanting after Wilbur got in his head again.”
That was… true.
They’d had a system, back in Pogtopia, after all.
“Please,” Tubbo murmured. “Just make sure he’s okay.”
“Alright,” Techno agreed, after a moment. “I’ll go by tomorrow.”
(He didn’t need to. The next day, he found a scared and angry kid hidden away in his basement.)
(He vowed to never let him down again.)
“What are you doing in my house, Tommy?”
“Well… hello. How are you?”
“What are you doing in my house, Tommy?”
“How are you?”
“What are you doing in my house, Tommy?!”
“You are a bitch!”
So perhaps the attempted execution had distracted him briefly from his commitment to visit Tommy in exile (a rather counterintuitive move on Tubbo’s part, really). Nonetheless, it didn’t seem to matter because apparently Tommy had come to him.
After a whirlwind of confusion and reobtaining a fair amount of his items from Tommy (while also losing a few irreplaceable items), Techno found himself staring down Tommy in the makeshift basement the kid had built. And the kid staring back at him wasn’t the one he remembered.
“What’re you doing here, Tommy?” Techno asked sternly. “Why are you in my house?”
“I think we’ll call it our house,” Tommy stated defiantly. And stuffed another golden apple in his mouth.
He was skinnier than Techno remembered. He’d been the one to make sure Tommy was eating back in Pogtopia. But the kid’s threadbare and ripped clothes hung off him. He was dirty. He honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Tommy’s entire body was covered in a fine layer of grime. He wasn’t sure which marks were dirt and which were bruises. Neither were a good look on his little brother.
“Oh, for the love of God…” Techno rolled his eyes, reaching out to grab Tommy (only briefly faltering at the way he flinched away) and tugging him toward the ladder.
“Hey, get your fucking dirty hands off me!” Tommy protested. “What’re you doing?”
“You’re wasting all my golden apples,” Techno deadpanned. “Maybe if you actually let me take a look at your injuries, you’ll stop needing them.”
Tommy grumbled but let Techno drag him upstairs and seat him by the fireplace before he rummaged through chests for the healing potions that Tommy had somehow missed in ransacking his chests. Because of course his racoon of a little brother had gone for the shiny golden apples first, rather than the practicality of healing potions.
“This better not be none of your pity shit,” Tommy warned him as he carefully ran a washcloth over the boy’s shoulder to clear away the blood.
“Of course not,” Techno assured him blandly, inwardly rolling his eyes. “Consider this a long-term investment.”
“Investment? And what the fuck does that mean, Techno?”
Techno forcibly held back an eyeroll. “The way I see it, we’re in a position where we could both help each other. How would you like to be business partners, Tommy?”
Tommy was silent for a long time. “Like, what? I help you, you help me get my discs back?”
“Sure.” Whatever it took to prevent Tommy from running off into the snow.
“Fine. But we don’t have to be pals or anything,” Tommy cautioned him. “This doesn’t make us friends. Because Dream was my friend and-”
Tommy abruptly cut himself off, conflict evident in his expression and something deep inside Techno twisted painfully. He hadn’t missed that slip. Even just hearing Dream’s name being dropped – he knew that couldn’t be a good thing. Especially not with the state Tommy was in.
“It’s completely out of the question,” Techno reassured him.
“Good.” And a slow smile grew on Tommy’s face.
“You can’t undo this decision, Tommy.”
"I’m sorry.”
“Techno. Got any withers?”
“What do you want?”
Tubbo had his hands raised defensively, though he seemed relatively unbothered by the sword at his throat. “I’m just here to talk, big man.”
Techno rolled his eyes. “Here to beg for mercy? I’m not changing my mind. L’manberg is the root of all this server’s problems. The second it’s gone, you’ll see.”
Tubbo scowled – and look, there seemed to be some fight left in the kid after all. “L’manberg has given a lot of us a lot more than you could ever understand. But I’m not here to talk about that.”
“Then what?” Techno lowered the sword but didn’t sheathe it. “I’m a busy man, Tubbo. Wither skulls to collect, TNT to craft.”
Tubbo’s eyes flashed with something close to anger before he calmed himself. “You know,” he said quietly, “Tommy wasn’t choosing us over you.”
Techno scowled, raising the sword again. “Get off my property.”
“It wasn’t because of you!” Tubbo rushed out, even as he retreated a few steps. “It wasn’t about him picking us over you – it wasn’t personal.”
“No,” Techno growled. “It was him picking his government over me. The same corrupt government that exiled him and broke him.”
He could still see it in his mind. The fear in Tommy’s eyes but the grim determination in the way he set his jaw. He could remember his own shock. He’d been sizing up their enemies, calculating the best way to get Tommy out safely, and in a blink of an eye, it was suddenly just him, against the whole nation. Tommy left him. Tommy betrayed him.
“It’s the last thing he has of Wilbur!” Tubbo shouted.
“I don’t care!” A snarl ripped its way out of him. “He chose you? Fine! You can have him! He’s your problem now, not mine!”
Tubbo was forced backwards, stumbling off the steps and into the snow. He seemed almost sad, looking up at him. “You don’t mean that.”
“He’s clearly shown that he wants nothing to do with me. I’m only returning the favour.”
“He’s still your brother.”
The answer was on the tip of his tongue. It would be so easy to be so cruel. Well, I’m not his.
But no matter how he tried, he couldn’t force the words out.
“I don’t care,” he settled on, more quietly. Simple. Bitter.
Tubbo regarded him for a long moment. “I’ll keep you updated on Tommy,” he stated eventually, tucking his hands into his pockets. “I’ll let you know if anything happens.”
Techno scoffed, looking away. He sheathed his sword. “Don’t bother.”
“Bye Techno.”
The thing was, he knew Tommy hadn’t hurt just him that day. He’d heard the words Tommy had flung at Tubbo in the heat of the moment. He wondered how Tubbo could stand there before him, defending Tommy after that.
“Wait- Tubbo.”
He didn’t know what made him call out.
“Tommy… keep him away from plains biomes. And lava. And he doesn’t like small holes in the ground.”
Tubbo didn’t turn around, but he could hear the smile in the kid’s voice. “Okay. Thanks. See you around, boss man.”
Techno watched him go.
(He was washing his hands of Tommy, that was all.)
“Tommy, I'm not done with you. L'manberg's story’s over, but our story’s not over.”
“I don’t think our story will ever be over, Tommy. You’re just too fun.”
“You know I’ll fight with you, right?”
Tubbo found him sitting on the edge of L’manberg’s crater, head bowed, arms and legs still littered with minor burns and nicks from L’manberg’s destruction. He dropped down beside him, close enough that Tommy could lean into him if he wished, and didn’t miss the way Tommy shied away from him.
“I know,” Tommy said quietly. He hadn’t been the one to tell Tubbo about the message Dream left him. “I wish you wouldn’t.”
(“Tubbo,” Tommy had murmured, as they gazed down at the crater that was their nation. “I’m so sorry.”
In the silence between their words, Wilbur and Quackity sang their anthem one last time and a few stray explosions continued. It all felt so distant to him. It couldn’t be real.
“It’s okay,” Tubbo returned softly.
And the tentative bridge between them began to be repaired.)
There was so much left unsaid between them. So many unaired grievances and unresolved arguments. Tubbo didn’t think he had the energy to sort through them all.
“I forgive you,” Tubbo said quietly, and the words came naturally, feeling far more genuine than the ones he’d offered Techno in Pogtopia. “Do you forgive me?”
Tommy finally looked up, meeting his eyes, still so, so quiet. “Of course,” he promised sincerely. “Always, Tubbo.”
Tubbo smiled, and closed that small gap between them, moving slowly as Tommy tensed. When the taller boy slowly began to relax, Tubbo let himself lean against him, shoulder to shoulder as they stared at what they used to call home.
They’d talk about it all one day. Maybe soon, maybe not. For now, Tubbo was content to just sit with his best friend and say his goodbyes to a nation well-loved.
“Do you remember the drug van?” Tubbo asked, a small smile dancing across his lips.
Tommy laughed weakly. “Yes. You were such a little bitch back then, mister wannabe cop.”
Tubbo shoved him light-heartedly. “In my defence, I was genuinely concerned you were making drugs, boss man.”
Tommy scoffed. “Please, I’m like 90% sure Wilbur started that whole thing to deter me from actually ever trying drugs. Like that bitch would ever let me near any.”
Tubbo laughed loudly, pushing at Tommy’s shoulder again. And that was how they spent the rest of the night, until the first rays of morning breached the sky, trading back and forth stories of L’manberg and its people. Gone, but never forgotten.
The thing was, it didn’t end with Tommy.
Or perhaps it did, that night where Technoblade razed L’manberg down to bedrock and Tubbo swore to shove a sword through his chest the next time he saw him, only for it to start back up again the very next day with Ranboo.
Tubbo had carried Tommy back to his house just as the sun rose, a worryingly easy feat (had he been eating at all in exile?), and had returned just to see the sun rise on L’manberg one last time.
Only, it seemed he wasn’t the only one with that idea.
He spotted Ranboo on the opposite side, staring down into the crater. He was alone, unlike Tommy and Tubbo had been. There was something cowed in the way his ears were drooping, and he was slightly hunched in that was that he always was, like he was trying to make himself smaller.
Tubbo hadn’t forgotten what Dream had revealed in the Community House. But he honestly couldn’t bring himself to care. Ranboo had never held the same passion and love for L’manberg that Tubbo had. But he’d still been one of Tubbo’s closest friends and he’d always been there for him. If Tubbo was willing to let bygones be bygones with Tommy, he certainly wasn’t drawing the line at Ranboo.
So, Tubbo smiled softly and began to pick his way around the crater to get to Ranboo. However, before he’d gotten more than halfway, someone beat him to it.
Tubbo tensed automatically at the sight of Philza landing behind Ranboo, saying something that caught his attention. He felt frozen, watching the exchange – clearly not a heated one, but a quiet conversation. His breath caught in his throat when Phil reached out, offering his hand, palm upwards to Ranboo.
Ranboo took his hand. Tubbo’s heart ached.
What snapped him out of it was the sight of Techno landing beside Phil, nodding at Ranboo and exchanging a few brief words with them before clapping Ranboo on the shoulder. Almost automatically, Tubbo reached for the sword on his hip, pulling it slowly from its sheath. Like he had a sixth sense for it, Techno’s head snapped towards him and they locked eyes.
Unthinkingly, Tubbo went through his advantages and disadvantages in a potential fight, weighing up his gear against Techno’s. His skill against the Blood God’s. The difficulty but potential for opportunity in the terrain. Until-
Tubbo’s eyes ran over the way Techno had his arm around Ranboo’s shoulders, steadying him when he stumbled over a rock. The almost protective stance he held over the hybrid as he waited for Tubbo to make a move, staring back at his steadfastly. It was familiar. Tubbo had seen that protectiveness time and time again from Techno, but for someone else.
(Ranboo was one of his closest friends.)
Jerkily, Tubbo sheathed his sword. He glared at Techno from across the crater, trying his best to convey his warning without words. Take care of him. Or else.
Techno merely inclined his head in response. I will.
And Tubbo watched them leave – Techno, Phil and Ranboo, and made no move to stop them.
Tubbo was endlessly grateful for Ranboo’s loyalty.
He hadn’t expected the enderman hybrid to turn up at Snowchester only a few days after they put Dream in the prison, with no motivation other than to hang out with him. And it wasn’t a one-off thing, either.
Ranboo didn’t try to hide that he spent his days that weren’t in Snowchester in the Arctic, but he also spent a fair portion of his time with Tubbo. He’d balked at the idea of building his own house in Snowchester, even if Tubbo had assured him that it wouldn’t need to be a permanent residence, but he seemed content with using Tubbo’s chests when need be and Tubbo didn’t mind.
Tommy had asked for some space after everything, and while Tubbo was certain to check up on him at least once every few days, he seemed to be doing well. He’d started a project with Sam, someone who Tubbo trusted and didn’t feel the need to threaten, and the man seemed to understand how to handle him. So Tubbo let him have his space, and spent his days in Snowchester with Ranboo.
Snowchester was a strange kind of peace for Tubbo.
He couldn’t remember the last time he didn’t have something looming over his head. It’d been the battle with Dream most recently. Then the pressure of his presidency. Before then, it was Schlatt and Manberg. And even before then, it was the fight for their independence.
Needless to say, it didn’t come as a surprise when he had his first encounter with the Eggpire. It’d been a while since he’d been in a fight. He’d gotten sloppy. Tommy had been the one to drag him out of the cave, and Sam had been the one to save them.
Apparently, it wasn’t the first time they’d gone after Tommy, which his friend had neglected to mention. Apparently, the Eggpire had it out for his best friend because he was immune to the Egg’s effects, which he had also failed to mention.
Tommy wasn’t apologetic in the slightest – in fact he was almost disturbingly unconcerned by the whole thing, and Tubbo was still seething when he finally got back to Snowchester.
“Tubbo?” Ranboo asked tentatively.
Tubbo slammed the lid of a chest shut, before angrily rummaging through another.
“Are you alright?”
The hesitance in Ranboo’s tone was enough to give him pause. He closed the chest he was sifting through, more gently this time, and took in a deep breath before slowly exhaling. He turned to smile at Ranboo.
“Hey Boo,” he greeted lightly. “Sorry – Tommy’s being an idiot again.”
“Can I do anything to help?” Ranboo asked cautiously, stepping closer.
Almost instinctively, Tubbo raised his eyebrows at him incredulously.
“Tommy’s my friend,” Ranboo said, almost defensively.
Tubbo sighed, looking away. “Sorry, you’re right. I’m just not used to people actually giving a shit about him.”
He paused, an idea occurring to him. “Actually, Ranboo, there might be something you can do to help. Do you think you could pass a message on to Technoblade for me?”
Ranboo shifted uncomfortably. “Tubbo, sorry to break it to you, but Techno isn’t exactly fond of you. I actually think he might hate you. You’re sort of like the embodiment of the government in his eyes.”
Tubbo scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Yeah, the feeling is mutual. Could you try anyway?”
Ranboo nodded reluctantly.
“Does he know about the Egg?” Tubbo questioned.
Ranboo nodded again.
“Well, tell him it’s getting worse. And that they’re targeting Tommy because he’s immune to it. They almost killed him today.”
Ranboo looked unsure, but nodded.
(Tubbo wasn’t all that surprised, when a few weeks later, at the Red Banquet, Technoblade, along with Quackity and Purpled, was one of the ones to finally take down the Egg.)
Tubbo hadn’t expected it to grow.
He hadn’t expected to get so close to Ranboo. Until one day they were commissioning Foolish to build them a mansion as a platonically married couple for them and their son.
They never had a big ceremony. Neither of them even wore their rings out in the open, instead keeping them looped on a necklace carefully hidden from view. With the growing tension on the server, it didn’t seem like a good idea to draw attention to them. Yet still, Tubbo had never been happier.
Ranboo was his missing piece. He was one of the kindest people Tubbo had ever met, with unrelenting patience and loyalty, but he also had a sense of humour that complemented his own. Ranboo didn’t shy away from chaos or pranks unless he was genuinely concerned about upsetting or hurting someone.
It was almost scary how quickly Ranboo had come to mean so much to him. The thought of something happening to him hurt.
Which was why when after several days of Ranboo being more antsy than usual, and almost afraid, before finally confessing about what he called his enderwalk state, Tubbo was very concerned. Ranboo was afraid of himself and Tubbo couldn’t do anything about it.
First, he had to assuage Ranboo’s fears about being kicked out or rejected, reassuring him that Tubbo still trusted him and that he wasn’t a danger to Michael as he worried. (Tubbo knew his husband, and he couldn’t see any version of him even laying a finger on Michael.) For a few days, Tubbo acted completely normal, going out of his way to be nicer and more affectionate to Ranboo.
As it turned out, Techno and Phil had also found out about his other side, witnessing it first-hand. According to Ranboo, they’d been nothing but understanding about it, but Ranboo had been left rattled by the idea of them seeing him like that.
When Ranboo finally left for the Arctic again, Tubbo took action.
His first trip was to Eret’s castle.
Not for the first time, he found himself bitterly cursing Technoblade for destroying L’manberg and any potentially useful resources. But luckily for him, Eret’s castle had an extensive library that he was happy to lend Tubbo access to without asking any questions.
Eret had done more than enough to redeem herself both to Tubbo and to everyone they’d betrayed in the Control Room. As such, it was not for a lack of trust that Tubbo remained vigilant and took precautions to cover up the main focus of his reading, but for Ranboo’s safety. There were certainly people on the server who would try to take advantage of Ranboo’s enderwalk state if they heard of it.
Unfortunately, Eret’s library didn’t have what he needed. It didn’t even have a sole book on endermen – Tubbo instead had to sift through multiple books about hybrids and monsters for a few measly passages here and another scant few sentences there.
The most bone-chilling discovery he made was a single sentence in a rather dark and disturbing book on the abilities of monster hybrids.
Ender hybrids are more responsive to suggestion during their enderwalk state.
The words responsive to suggestion greeted him every time he closed his eyes, repeating over and over as he tried to fall asleep. Responsive to suggestion. The cold, clinical analysis made his blood boil.
(He tore the page out of the book and burned it before anybody else could find it.)
In the end, the most Eret’s books could do was confirm that enderwalk state wasn’t a term made up by Ranboo. But that didn’t help much, considering Ranboo didn’t remember much of his childhood, let alone someone that would’ve taught him that term.
It was with no small amount of reluctance that Tubbo found himself turning toward the Arctic. It was the last place he wanted to be, and ordinarily he wouldn’t even bother, but all the books he could find were turning up dead ends. And Ranboo had mentioned that the Arctic Empire had stumbled across an ancient stronghold of sorts that happened to contain a library.
If there was anywhere that had the information that he needed, unfortunately, Tubbo would put his money on there. So once again, Tubbo was knocking at Techno’s door, unarmed as to not provoke an attack.
“You have five seconds to get off my property before I hunt you for sport.”
Tubbo couldn’t help his short laugh. “Good to see you too, Technoblade.”
Techno stared at him, unimpressed, an axe in hand. “Five. Four.”
“It’s about Ranboo!” Tubbo cut in hurriedly. “I’m worried he might be in danger.”
Techno stopped counting. Stared at Tubbo silently for a few seconds. Then sighed, letting his axe dip to the ground. “Why can I never be rid of you? Every time I think I’m finally free of this annoying child, you’re there.”
Tubbo relaxed slightly, smirking. “Well, technically, this one is your fault. I had Ranboo first. You kinda stole him from me, boss man.”
Techno sighed deeply but pushed his door open further. “Fine. We can talk inside.”
Tubbo beamed and trailed in after him.
Tubbo told him everything he knew. Which, sad to say, wasn’t nearly enough, but he didn’t hold back anything. When it came to Ranboo, he couldn’t afford to leave out any detail that may help them. He told Techno about the enderwalking – which he knew some of – and how afraid it made Ranboo. About his husband’s fears of hurting those he cared about and how he never remembered what he did while he was in that state. And when he whispered those words that he’d found in that old book from Eret’s library. Techno’s eyes darkened.
When he finally finished, ending with his desire to use the library that the Arctic Empire had found, Techno didn’t speak, leaning back in his chair contemplatively.
“I didn’t know you and Ranboo were this close,” is what he finally voiced.
Tubbo froze. Because Techno was right. Ranboo had been going out of his way to hide Tubbo from Techno. And he’d just walked right into the Blade’s house and uncovered the truth.
But-
That was bullshit.
He’d seen the protective way Techno had wrapped his arm around Ranboo’s shoulders. How Techno had caved and let him in at just the mention of the boy. And in Ranboo’s tales about the Arctic, describing what he never seemed to realise were great kindnesses that the Blade didn’t just give to anyone. That was the very reason Tubbo had come to him today, holding nothing back.
“Does it matter?” Tubbo challenged. “We both want the same thing. For him to be safe.”
“Mm.”
Finally, Techno nodded, sitting forward. “You can use the library. It’s pretty big, so I’ll help you go through the books. But it’ll have to wait a few days. Phil is renovating the place. We’ll have to wait if we don’t want him to find out.”
“Works with me.”
Technoblade wasn’t sure how he kept getting into these situations.
He glanced up from the text he was attempting to read, scanning the boy sitting at the other end of the table, eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he studiously went through his own book. They’d only exchanged a handful of words so far, to note any potentially helpful information (what few of it existed), but otherwise worked in silence.
The kid was like some annoying fly that kept returning, no matter how many times he swatted it away. And somehow, as a result, Techno was spending his Sunday evening reading books with the nuisance, instead of having dinner with Phil.
He hadn’t been happy about sharing the stronghold with Tubbo, what with it being the base for the Syndicate, but Tubbo hadn’t been wrong about its potential for usefulness. Really, a strange amount of the books seemed to relate to endermen and some place called The End (the afterlife, perhaps?)
However, that didn’t mean they were making great leaps and bounds of progress in getting through all the texts. Techno’s ADHD made each page feel like it took hours, and he kept finding himself having to go back over entire paragraphs because he realised he hadn’t actually processed them while reading. On the other side of the table, Tubbo was struggling through the texts at a similar pace to Techno – he was sure the obnoxiously extravagant script every book seemed to be written in was a fantastic combination with Tubbo’s dyslexia, but the kid never once complained.
Altogether, they were possibly the worst combination of people to be working on a project like this.
However, the only other person Techno would trust with this was Phil. And he knew Phil wouldn’t approve of them going behind Ranboo’s back like this, so he intended to delay that conversation for as long as possible.
“How often do you think Ranboo enderwalks?” Tubbo questioned abruptly, not looking up from his book.
Techno shrugged. “At least once every couple a days.”
Once Ranboo had explained the enderwalking to him once, it was easy to spot a pattern in some of the kid’s stranger habits, which he now knew could be attributed to his other half.
Tubbo frowned deeply. “That’s what I figured too. This book here says it naturally occurs once every few weeks.”
Ah. That wasn’t a good sign.
Tubbo silently moved the volume to their pile of potentially helpful books.
“Do you think I’m overreacting about this?” he asked suddenly.
Techno sighed. God, he didn’t want to talk about their feelings. “No.”
“Like, when I have seen him enderwalk, it’s not like he’s done anything bad,” Tubbo went on. “I mean, sometimes he’ll just stare at me from a distance, or he’ll fucking leave grass blocks or some shit in my kitchen, but he’s never tried to hurt anyone.”
Techno nodded. He’d had similar interactions with Ranboo in the past.
“Look, if it’s bad enough that Ranboo’s scared about it, it’s probably worthwhile,” Techno rationalised, leaning back in his chair. “At the very least, you’ll be able to show him that there’s nothing to worry about.”
It was almost… sweet how much Tubbo evidently cared about Ranboo. Techno supposed he’d missed when the two had become best friends. Ranboo certainly hadn’t brought it up. But it was far too obvious in the thought and consideration Tubbo afforded him, and the soft way Ranboo said Tubbo’s name on the rare occasion it came up in conversation.
He was… glad. That Ranboo had others looking out for him. (Even if Techno alone was more than enough, in his opinion.)
Tubbo nodded, sighing, before he pushed away the book he was up to, stretching. “I think I’m gonna have to call it there for tonight. Tommy’s coming over tomorrow, and he’ll be suspicious if I’m too tired.”
Techno nodded in agreement. His head was beginning to pound, anyway.
A thought occurred to him at the mention of Tommy. He hesitated. Side-eyed Tubbo.
“You’re friends with Jack Manifold, aren’t you?”
“Mm.”
“You should know, then,” Techno said nonchalantly. “A couple days ago, Niki told me she and Jack tried to kill Tommy a few times. She’s done, but that doesn’t mean Manifold is.”
Techno watched with interest as any ease seeped out of Tubbo’s posture, a scowl forming on his face as he sat up properly, his eyes going cold.
“I’ll take care of it,” Tubbo stated with finality.
Techno nodded. “Good.”
It wasn’t about protecting Tommy or anything. He just didn’t want Ranboo in situations where he could be in danger by proxy, if he was hanging out with Tommy. And if Tommy up and died or something, it’d upset Ranboo and distract Tubbo from their task. He was trying to avoid that. That was all.
Techno escorted Tubbo out of the library, not trusting him not to snoop around unattended. As he walked toward the nether portal, Tubbo practiced swings and jabs with his sword.
The knowledge was both horrifying and enlightening. Tubbo didn’t know how he’d missed it. Just two things.
- Ranboo had visited the prison.
- He didn’t remember any of it.
Tubbo cursed himself for not suspecting it earlier. Of course. Every single fucking bad thing on this fucking server always tied back to Dream. He’d manipulated Tommy and Tubbo, toying with them like puppets on a string for months, hell, practically since they’d joined the server. What was one more minor to add to that list?
Tubbo was pissed off. Dream didn’t get to do that. He didn’t get to waltz in and ruin the one good thing Tubbo had found after the entire mess with L’manberg and Dream. He’d finally found his happiness and Dream thought he had the right to just trample all over it? Bullshit.
“Tubbo, what are you doing here today?” Sam asked mildly.
Tubbo forced himself to take a deep breath in and out before responding, knowing that snapping at Sam wouldn’t get him what he wanted. “Sam. I need you to ban Ranboo from visiting the prison.”
Sam paused, frowning. “Is there a reason?”
“Does there need to be?”
“Tubbo,” Sam said seriously. “Do you think Ranboo poses a threat to the security of the prison?”
Oh. Oh boy.
“What?” Tubbo feigned being affronted. “No! He hates Dream!”
That much was true. Dream might very well be the only person that Ranboo hated.
“Then why do you need me to ban him?”
Tubbo hesitated. Because Ranboo could definitely potentially pose a danger to the prison’s security. Piecing together his interactions with Dream and their new knowledge of enderwalking didn’t exactly paint a pretty picture for Ranboo. But admitting that much would end with Ranboo in a prison cell.
“Sam, I just need you to trust me on this one.”
“Tubbo, I can’t just ban someone without reason,” Sam rationalised. “Do you want me to call Ranboo and ask him?”
“No! Don’t do that.”
“Well, I’m not banning him without his consent.”
“What about his husband’s consent?” Tubbo snapped.
“What?”
“Me,” Tubbo stated, glaring. “I’m his husband. We got married a few months ago. As his husband, I’m asking you to ban him from the prison.”
The shock on Sam’s face faded slowly. “Tubbo, I’m sorry. I can’t. Now if you don’t want me to get Ranboo involved in this, I’d like to ask that you leave the premises now.”
Tubbo scoffed derisively but spun on his heel to exit via the nether portal.
“Did it work?” Techno asked when he exited the prison foyer.
“No,” Tubbo spat bitterly.
“How much do you trust him?” Techno queried. Is it worth telling him about the enderwalking?
Tubbo thought of how Sam had always been there for him and Tommy. Indulgent and endlessly patient. The open affection in his eyes as he’d gently dropped a safety helmet onto Tommy’s head, and the fierce way he’d protected them from the Egg’s followers.
And how he’d let Tommy be beaten to death in a prison cell by his worst enemy.
“Not enough,” he answered.
Techno nodded, unsheathing his sword. He stretched, cracking his neck. “My turn.”
Tubbo sighed, crossing his arms as Techno strode into the prison, but waited impatiently for his return, tapping his foot. It couldn’t have been longer than five minutes before Techno emerged, a satisfied smirk on his face.
Tubbo rolled his eyes. “How’d you do it?”
“Threatened him.”
“And when that didn’t work?”
“Threatened to break Dream out of prison. Might’ve mentioned that I owed him a favour.”
Tubbo shot him a sharp look. “A favour that he’ll never cash in on, right?”
Techno stared at him, unimpressed. “As far as I’m concerned, Dream hasn’t called in the favour. And if he’s stuck in prison, he never will.”
“Good.”
Techno didn’t lend too much credence to the belief that Ranboo’s prohibition from the prison would be enough to protect him from Dream. For all they knew, the damage was already done, just waiting for a trigger to activate it.
The ever-present danger was apparent when Sapnap mentioned in passing to Tubbo his concerns about Ranboo after he’d been asked to pass on a message from Dream.
Techno was the one to suggest they look into enchanting. They hadn’t quite been able to narrow down what exactly Dream had done to warp Ranboo’s enderman traits, but Techno pointed out that they might not need to know exactly. In the stronghold, they poured over books about enchanting and magic and other charms. And they finally began to make progress.
All sorts of enchantments about protection of the mind, and immunity from spells and stability within oneself were read and carefully noted. And it was in a particularly dusty volume secreted on the top shelf of a tall bookcase that they discovered sigils.
It was like the answer to all their prayers. Techno and Tubbo poured over the most lengthy of tomes about sigils and protective runes, identifying the ones that they believed sounded most useful.
And though it took several day trips to consult with nearby villages, Techno was eventually certain he had settled on a set of sigils that would do the job to help Ranboo. He even got Phil to call in a favour (after evading several inquisitions) to consult with an old warlock who swore that the sigils would work for their intended purpose.
All that was left was to find an object or something they would be certain Ranboo would keep on him at all times, to enable the continuous protection of the sigils.
At first, Techno was considering some kind of locket, when Tubbo quietly suggested a ring, hesitantly pushing a simple golden band across the table. And, considering the heavy rings weighing his own hands down, Techno was hardly one to judge, instead going back over their notes to determine whether he’d be able to carve such a complex sigil onto such a small ring.
After a few test runs, they discovered that once a sigil had been carved into a piece of metal, it immediately glowed and disappeared, which was much appreciated for the sake of subtlety.
Techno assigned himself the task of carving the runes into the ring, but made sure Tubbo knew how to replicate the same sigils. He knew Ranboo sometimes went around with no armour on, but the extra layer of protection that Tubbo could ensure for when the kid did wear his armour would be worthwhile.
(In the quiet of the stronghold, with Tubbo hunched over an anvil and Techno carefully guiding him in carving the runes, he couldn’t help but be reminded of that first time, when he’d taught Tubbo to craft his own weapons.)
(It was an almost fond memory.)
Okay, so maybe Technoblade had been a little on edge recently.
Maybe Ranboo’s whole enderwalk fiasco had gotten him a little antsy. Maybe the sudden news of Tommy’s death, followed by the confirmation of his revival had been a little too much for his heart. Maybe he was realising, as Niki dropped off freshly baked bread in the morning, and he carefully moved one of Ranboo’s grass blocks from the centre of the kitchen while Phil watched him all too knowingly, that he was attached to a whole lot more people than he’d ever planned to be.
But it was fine. He was doing fine. He was functioning. Phil only sent him concerned looks a few times a day. He didn’t stay up late wondering when and how he’d somehow managed to build an entire community out in the arctic.
He was good.
When the familiar pounding started on his front door, he was on his feet and yanking it open within seconds.
“I need your help!” Tubbo immediately blurted out, and Techno’s stress levels skyrocketed.
“What? Is Ranboo hurt? Is Tommy alright? Do you need me to kill someone?”
His mind was racing, already going through his inventory. He had his best armour and weapons on him, but he could afford to grab potions and maybe some golden apples. Phil was out of town, saving some server somewhere, so Techno’d be on his own, but Tubbo could be a decent fighter. There were also the totems of undying and-
Tubbo blinked, tilting his head at him. “What? They’re both fine. I was going to ask if you could come to my wedding.”
“Oh.” Techno sunk with relief. Then he paused. Went back over Tubbo’s words. “Sorry, what was that?”
Tubbo set his jaw stubbornly. “I’m getting married in two days. To Ranboo. Can you come?”
“Heh?”
Techno… needed a moment.
Tubbo marrying Ranboo. Ranboo marrying Tubbo. Ranboo, his neighbour and one of the coveted few he would consider a friend, was going to marry Tubbo, one of Techno’s biggest enemies, who he despised more than anyone else on the server.
(Except, that wasn’t quite true. Except, he was beginning to think of Tubbo with less disgust nowadays, and more of a grudging respect.)
“Well?” Tubbo demanded, an open challenge in his eyes. Techno didn’t miss the way his fingers curled around the shield at his side.
“Give me a moment.”
“No.”
Well, alright then.
“What’s there to think about?” Tubbo questioned bluntly. “Either you care about Ranboo enough to come, or you don’t.”
Techno blinked. “I don’t actually think one of those equals the other-”
Tubbo sighed, but some of the defiance in his glare faded. “Look, Ranboo really wants you there. He was going to invite you, but was too afraid of how you’d react to us getting married. It’d mean the world to him.”
Another sigh. “Where will it be held?”
“Snowchester. There’ll be a strict no-weapons policy, so you’d be safe.”
“And how do I know this isn’t a trap?”
Tubbo deflated. “It isn’t. I don’t know how to prove it to you, but it isn’t.”
There was a silence. Unwise as it might be, Techno found himself believing him.
“Please,” Tubbo said quietly. “For Ranboo.”
For Ranboo.
“Fine.”
Tubbo’s face lit up, bouncing on his heels. “Okay! That’s great! Would you be able to be Ranboo’s best man? It was going to be Phil, but then…”
But then Phil left a few days ago on urgent business. Which meant that they’d been planning to have this wedding without Techno – he was only filling Phil’s spot. (Strangely, the thought of missing out on such an important milestone for Ranboo hurt.)
“Sure,” Techno agreed, massaging his temples, even if he didn’t know what a best man’s role was. If he had to do this, may as well go all in.
“Perfect!” Tubbo beamed. “Our son will also be there.”
Techno froze. “HEH?”
Technoblade whispered to Ph1LzA: Phil help
Technoblade whispered to Ph1LzA: What do I wear to a wedding???
Ph1LzA whispered to Technoblade: So Ranboo told you then?
Technoblade whispered to Ph1LzA: No. Tubbo did.
Ph1LzA whispered to Technoblade: TUBBO???
Technoblade whispered to Ph1LzA: Phil. Answer the question.
Ph1LzA whispered to Technoblade: Why did Tubbo tell you???
Technoblade whispered to Ph1LzA: You’re being very unhelpful right now.
Ph1LzA whispered to Technoblade: Wear a suit??
Technoblade whispered to Ph1LzA: Phil, I don’t own any suits. You know this.
Technoblade whispered to Ph1LzA: People bring gifts to weddings, don’t they? Am I supposed to bring a gift??
Techno left his communicator buzzing on the table in favour of frowning out the window, only to spot Ranboo carefully shovelling the snow from around his house. He narrowed his eyes at the sight. Something about the flickering of the torchlight bouncing off Ranboo’s crown greatly bothered him.
Look, he was a piglin hybrid. He knew his gold. Phil had never once questioned the troves of gold around his house, nor the way his gold seemed to mysteriously relocate itself to Techno’s house after a while. He was an expert when it came to gold.
And the ancient, brittle crown that adorned Ranboo’s head had always bothered him.
Abruptly, he was reminded of one of the many texts he’d read through with Tubbo, on one of many nights in the stronghold. One relating to endermen culture. It’d only really stuck in his mind, as it was similar to piglin culture.
Endermen had a similar equivalent to human weddings. A type of ceremony celebrating a bond between two endermen, which was never expected to fade. And as part of the ceremony, it was tradition for both participants to receive a crown as a symbol of this bond.
And suddenly, Techno knew what his wedding gift was going to be. He just had two days to make it. Fantastic.
This is for Ranboo, Techno tried to remind himself over and over, standing at the borders of Snowchester.
(He’d already been there once, visiting with the Syndicate to monitor the potential rise of a new government. Ranboo had been at his side, then, and Techno had had to pretend not to see the way he perked up at the sight of Tubbo, excitedly waving when he thought he was out of sight. It was painfully obvious at the time, but almost sweet.)
He’d done all he could. He’d complied with Tubbo’s rules and left all his weapons in his enderchest. He hadn’t even brought Toothpick. In the end, he’d made do with adorning his Antarctic Empire robes, deciding they were at least more suitable than the royal colours of his other robes, and they did a good job in covering up his armour to make him appear like less of a threat. At a further attempt at subtlety, he wasn’t even wearing a helmet.. Hopefully, it would convey that he wasn’t there to start a fight.
None of that changed the fact that he was public enemy number one, and would be surrounded by people that likely wanted him dead, while voluntarily being the most vulnerable he’d been in several years.
For Ranboo, he reminded himself before taking a deep breath and stepping forward, out of the cover of the trees. He hadn’t recalled the tall walls that had surrounded Snowchester on his last visit, but they were apparent now, the only entry point being a single archway that appeared to be guarded by some kind of… automaton? It chittered at him when he neared and Techno glanced down at his communicator as it buzzed.
Sam_Nook whispered to Technoblade: HELLO TECHNOBLADE! YOU ARE ON THE APPROVED LIST OF GUESTS FOR RANBOO AND TUBBO’S WEDDING. PLEASE STAND STILL WHILE I SCAN YOU FOR PROHIBITED ITEMS.
He tensed automatically upon reading the last line, but before he could react, a green light seemed to emit from the android, the beam travelling up and down his body. He relaxed slightly when it didn’t seem to hurt him, and waited for the bot to tell him to remove his armour, or the shield in his inventory, or the totem of undying tucked into his back pocket.
But a panel on the android merely closed, cutting off the light and his communicator buzzed again in time with the bot’s chatter.
Sam_Nook whispered to Technoblade: NO PROHIBITED ITEMS DETECTED. YOU MAY ENTER SNOWCHESTER.
Techno blinked before nodded and brushing past the bot as it stepped to the side to admit him.
Admittedly, whoever had been in charge of decorating Snowchester had done a beautiful job. What had been quite a humble village last he’d been there hadn’t grown much in size, but certainly had in charm. Flowers everywhere adorned houses and railings and archways. A platform had been developed in the middle of the lake, with a white pavilion where it was clear the ceremony was to take place, and a gorgeous bridge that connected them.
Techno felt like turning around and leaving as the laughter and chatter of the attendees hit him. Of course, he knew why Tubbo and Ranboo were having the wedding now. It was the quietest the server had been in a long time. Peaceful, almost. No wars. Very little to fear.
(Even so, Techno didn’t see any of the former Egg cultists present.)
Tubbo and Ranboo hadn’t been too tight with the guest list. There were a fair few people in attendance. He could spot Niki and Jack sitting together on one of the benches, and Puffy, Fundy and Eret seemed to be in discussion just off to the side of the bridge. Standing at the pavilion were Ranboo, Tubbo and Tommy. As he watched, Tommy and Tubbo burst into laughter, Ranboo joining in after a moment. Behind them, Foolish was flicking through a small notebook, presumably the officiator. (It wasn’t the most formal event Techno had seen, but he figured neither Tubbo nor Ranboo cared all too much.)
Techno knew he was running a bit late – he’d spent a little too long deliberating on the edge of Snowchester. But at least it meant that most of the people weren’t still milling around and looking to start conversation, instead drifting toward the benches near the pavilion. Unfortunately, that meant that as he did approach, the domino effect of one person noticing him and falling silent spread quickly amongst the gathered crowd.
It started with Fundy’s eyes going wide and his ears flattening, elbowing Puffy in the side. Puffy looked up, locking eyes with Techno and immediately freezing, her mouth drifting slightly open in shock. Purpled was the next to notice, and then Eret and then Quackity.
As Techno watched, the conversation all ground to a halt at once, hushed whispers instead breaking out. All eyes were on him as he stopped just at the near side of the bridge, only metres away from the closest group. Niki was the only one to smile hesitantly at him. Eret shifted silently so they were between Techno and Fundy. Techno’s eyes tracked the slow way Sam got to his feet, hand reaching for a sword that wasn’t there.
This was a mistake, he realised. He shouldn’t have come. He didn’t even dare look toward the pavilion to see the reaction there. He shifted his stance and felt everyone take in a collective breath.
But before he could decide to turn and flee, Tubbo was there, pushing past Quackity briskly (and ignoring the hands that tried to pull him back) and coming to a stop in front of Techno. The kid looked him up and down appraisingly. Tubbo was in a light blue floral tuxedo – one that admittedly fit him better than the one he’d worn under Schlatt’s command – and his wonky tie had tiny patterns of bees on it. (Techno would recognise the handiwork anywhere.)
“You’re late,” Tubbo stated shortly.
Techno blinked. “Sorry.”
Tubbo nodded and didn’t hesitate in grabbing Techno’s arm to lead him through the crowd toward the pavilion. Techno let this teenager pull him through the crowd of enemies and prayed nobody would take the opportunity to stab him in the back.
Ranboo’s eyes were almost comically wide as Tubbo wordlessly situated Techno in the position of his best man, while Tommy stood on Tubbo’s side. Techno didn’t miss the slight anxiety in the tapping of the enderman hybrid’s fingers against his side.
“How-?” Ranboo questioned. “Techno-”
“You didn’t think I’d miss your wedding, did you?” Techno questioned gruffly. “I’d never live it down if TommyInnit went to your wedding and I didn’t.”
“Oh, fuck you,” Tommy shot back, but there was no heat to it. Rather, there was a strange look in his eyes, as if he was trying to figure Techno out.
Techno’s focus jumped back to Ranboo, and he was surprised when he found Ranboo’s hesitant gaze on his. The kid’s eyes were the same deep purple as his tuxedo, uncertain but hopeful. When Ranboo smiled tentatively at him, Techno returned it, softening.
“Are we ready to get started?” Foolish inquired.
“I think so.”
“Wait,” Techno cut in. “I- I brought a gift.”
Several people tensed as he opened his inventory, but he did his best to ignore it, instead cautiously offering two crowns to Foolish.
“I read that traditionally endermen were granted crowns when they married, as a token of their bond,” he stated awkwardly. “Piglins have a similar tradition. I thought it might be nice for Ranboo…”
He trailed off, but Ranboo’s eyes were shining, fixated on the crown in Foolish’s left hand. He’d spent many hours on both crowns, hunched over an anvil, carefully etching patterns and moulding them. The particular one Ranboo was eyeing was interlaid with sparkling amethysts. And not that Ranboo would ever know, but under those amethysts were carved the sigils that Techno and Tubbo had spent hours pouring over – spells of protection and healing, and wards against evil and manipulation. (Though, looking at the small black box in Tommy’s front pocket, Techno had an idea about why Tubbo had specifically asked about carving sigils small enough to fit in a ring.)
“I-” Ranboo cut himself off, but his smile was wide and genuine. “I don’t remember much about my childhood or endermen culture. But- this feels right.”
Tubbo’s smile was unusually soft as he regarded his soon-to-be husband. “Then we’ll do it,” he promised, reaching out to take Ranboo’s hand. “I’m sure Foolish can integrate the ceremonies. Right, Foolish?”
“Absolutely!” Foolish agreed cheerfully. (Techno made a pointed choice not to question where he’d obtained an understanding of endermen culture and traditions after seeing the man’s eyes flash liquid gold.)
And as the ceremony began, and Foolish gently laid Ranboo’s crown on his head and the other crown – an exact match of Ranboo’s, if not for the sapphires instead of amethysts – on Tubbo’s head, Techno couldn’t help but be glad he was there.
(He'd never tell, but carefully etched beneath the sapphires on Tubbo's crown were the same sigils for protection he'd carved for Ranboo.)
After the ceremony was a dinner. Techno didn’t hesitate to take the table furthest away from everyone else, both out of a desire to not keep his back to any of the guests, and in a shallow attempt at not disrupting the wedding any further. The rest of the guests settled at the tables closer to the main area, while Tubbo and Ranboo mingled freely among them, stopping to chat with almost everyone.
Techno despised all forms of social interaction and couldn’t even recall the last time he’d been to an event like this, but every so often, Ranboo would glance in his direction, still glued to Tubbo’s side, but glowing with happiness when he caught sight of Techno still seated there, like he couldn’t quite believe Techno had come. And that alone was what stopped Techno from taking his leave.
It wasn’t too long after the ceremony that Tubbo and Ranboo, all but joined at the hip, were at his table, the former cradling an energetic little piglin in his arms.
“This is Michael,” Ranboo introduced, pride evident in his voice. “He’s our son.”
As Techno watched, Michael reached once again for Tubbo’s crown, unbothered when Tubbo gently batted his grabbing hands away.
No, Techno grunted in Piglin, though not aggressively. Not yours.
Michael pulled a face. Gold, he insisted. Gold.
Tubbo smiled affectionately. “Tommy’s been teaching us some piglin to help understand him. He says the gold fixation is a piglin thing?”
Techno huffed. “Yeah. Here.”
Carefully, he lifted the golden crown from his own head, offering it to Michael, who squealed in joy, picking it up with clumsy hands and placing it on his own head.
Tubbo gawked at him.
“It’s considered improper for you to take your crown off until the wedding is over,” Techno offered in explanation. “The kid wanted a crown.”
Luckily today he’d chosen one of his lighter, more subtle crowns, as it was in bad taste to wear a crown more extravagant than those of the married couple, so it wasn’t too heavy for Michael.
Michael grunted happily, gazing up at Tubbo, repeating the same word over and over again. It was enough to put to rest any concerns Techno had about the ability of two teenagers to raise a baby piglin.
“What’s he saying?” Ranboo asked curiously. “We keep hearing him say that, but Tommy doesn’t know the word.”
Oh.
Techno shook his head with the barest hint of a smile. Of course Tommy had never picked up on the word. Phil had taken Techno in as a scared and angry kid, who lashed out and balked at the idea of family. He’d never even said the word aloud since Phil had taken him in, too afraid.
“He’s saying the word ‘dad’,” Techno said softly. “He wants you to look at his crown.”
“Oh,” Tubbo whispered, cupping a hand to his mouth. He was teary-eyed. “You mean, all this time-?”
“I guess you two are pretty decent at this whole parenting thing,” Techno offered gently, watching as Ranboo reached out to hug Michael to his chest, pure reverence in his eyes. Michael grumbled but snuggled closer, content in the arms of his claimed family.
Tubbo pressed a kiss to the top of Michael’s head before looking back to Techno with shining eyes. “He’s your nephew,” he said quietly. “If you’d like. We’ve been meaning to introduce you.”
And it was without hesitance that Tubbo gently detangled Michael from Ranboo and held him out to Techno. Without flinching away or fleeing, which he was sure would make Phil proud, Techno carefully grasped Michael, setting him down on his knee to study him.
So, you’re Ranboo’s kid, then, he murmured. Michael blinked back up at him, his crown almost slipping off before Techno carefully readjusted it.
“Me and Tubbo are going to go talk to Jack,” Ranboo said quietly, like he was afraid to interrupt. “Would you mind watching him for a bit?”
Techno looked down at the toddler in his lap then back at Ranboo. “I think I can manage that.”
Ranboo’s smile was wide and hopeful and Techno wondered how much stress it had been placing on the kid to hide all of this – his family. He felt sorry that Ranboo had even felt the need to hide this.
Only moments after Tubbo and Ranboo departed, someone else was plonking himself down at Techno’s table, arms crossed and a scowl on his face.
“Tommy,” he greeted mildly.
Tommy glared. “For the record, I’m only here because you’re a wrong’un, and I’m not leaving you alone with Michael.”
Techno couldn’t help but recall another angry teenager confronting him, filled with a fierce desire to protect the ones he loved and willing to take on anyone to make sure they were safe.
“Okay,” he agreed simply.
The second Michael caught sight of Tommy, he was wriggling out of Techno’s grasp and reaching for him. “Mimi!” he called in English.
Tommy rolled his eyes, huffing in faux exasperation but readily scooping Michael up to place him in his lap in a practiced move. He was also in a tuxedo, for the first time Techno had ever born witness to, but seemed uncomfortable, tugging at his stiff sleeves. His hair was longer and shaggier than Techno remembered too, and there seemed to be permanent dark circles under his eyes. He looked worn-down, but there was nothing but patience in the way he handled Michael.
Gold! Michael excitedly chanted, pushing at the crown on his head. Gold! Gold! Gold!
I know, I know, Tommy responded. He shook his head at Techno. “You piglins and your fucking gold, man.”
Techno snorted, shaking his head. There was a short silence.
“The kid takes after you.”
Tommy looked surprised. “Ey?”
Techno nodded at Michael. “He’s already stealin’ my crowns.”
Tommy stared at him, mouth drifting slightly open. Techno wondered if Tommy too, could picture the small gap-toothed kid he’d been back home, trying to steal Techno’s crowns and other golden jewellery so he could be just like his big brother Techno.
For the briefest moment, there was an almost wistful smile on Tommy’s face before he quickly covered it up with a brash grin. “Stealing from The Blade already. I’m gonna teach him so much crime, believe me.”
“Sure,” Techno agreed amusedly.
He smiled. Tommy smiled back, albeit hesitantly.
“You made Ranboo and Tubbo’s suits, didn’t you?” Techno questioned casually, watching as the married couple chatted with Niki nearby.
Tommy looked surprised. “Yeah. How’d you know?”
Techno shrugged. “I recognised your handiwork. You did a good job. I’m sure Ranboo was pleased.”
Tommy rolled his eyes, but was pushing down a smile. “Yeah, the bitch almost fucking cried when I gave it to him. I couldn’t very well let Ranboo get married in the same fucking suit he’s worn ever since he joined the server.”
Michael perked up at the mention of Ranboo, distracted briefly from his fascination with the soft fur lining of Techno’s cloak, tilting his head to peer up at him. Techno gently adjusted the crown on his head to prevent it sliding off as the kid went back to playing with the lining of his cloak.
It’d been a while since he’d spoken to Tommy, and even though they were both plainly ignoring the reason that they’d stopped talking in the first place, it was almost… nice. He’d missed his little brother. And he was glad for the opportunity to meet his nephew.
Tommy had provided a little more context to the situation than Techno had already been given. He explained briefly how Tubbo and Ranboo had already considered each other husbands for a while, and had been looking after Michael for even longer before that, but hadn’t felt safe with the state of the server to tell anyone. He told him that Tubbo and Ranboo had finally felt like it was time to officiate their marriage and begin to introduce Michael to a few trusted friends, because they knew he couldn’t stay isolated for all his life.
Techno had his own reservations about a few of the trusted friends that had been invited to the wedding. In particular, he found Jack Manifold’s presence a surprise, given the warning he’d given Tubbo.
Altogether, he wasn’t all too surprised to find himself on the other end of a diamond sword before the end of the night.
“Technoblade,” Quackity acknowledged coldly. Techno’s gaze was drawn to the new scar marring his face – the one he’d given Quackity the last time they had met.
(He suspected this encounter wouldn’t end well.)
“Quackity,” he returned. “I was under the impression this wedding had a strict no-weapons policy.”
Quackity laughed icily. “What? You thought you could just show up and expect everyone to just go with it? Did you think we forgot about L’manberg? About what you did to us?”
They were beginning to draw attention.
“Big Q-” Tommy started, shifting uncomfortably.
“I’ve got this, Tommy,” Techno cut in, though not unkindly. “Here – would you mind taking Michael?”
To his credit, Quackity allowed Techno to relinquish Michael to Tommy, who hugged the toddler close to his chest, gently preventing him from watching what was happening. A little of the tension that had seized Techno the second his eyes caught the flash of a blade left him, with Michael out of danger.
(Dammit, he was already getting attached to this kid.)
“Listen,” Techno stated lowly, in an attempt to not make any more of a scene. “I understand that you’ve got a problem with me. But any issues you have need to be settled after the wedding. Do not ruin this for Tubbo and Ranboo.”
Quackity hesitated for only a moment before shaking his head, a grim resoluteness in his eyes. “No. Technoblade, I’d say it’s high time you learn that your actions have consequences.”
Before he could respond, Quackity stiffened, and Techno’s eyes followed the tip of the sword resting against Quackity’s back to a steely Tubbo.
“Is there a reason you’re threatening the guests at my wedding, Quackity?” Tubbo asked quietly, and Techno was reminded of how much he’d changed from that scared kid in Pogtopia.
Quackity scoffed, but didn’t dare move. “You call Technoblade a guest? After what he did to you? To all of us?”
“I invited him, didn’t I?” Tubbo didn’t waver. “He’s here because he’s one of Ranboo’s closest friends. And he’s not the one who’s currently causing problems. Now drop the sword.”
Quackity laughed bitterly, but let the sword slip from his hand to land on the ground. “Sure, Mr President.”
Techno stood, locking eyes with Tubbo. “I’ll take him outside.”
Tubbo nodded, lowering his sword. That was when Quackity pounced, materialising an axe from his inventory and beginning to swing for Techno. Tommy let out a shout, but Techno didn’t even blink, stepping inside Quackity’s guard and smacking his wrist, forcing him to drop the axe.
This time it was Techno who, after quickly scooping up the weapons, held a sword to Quackity’s back, nudging him outside. Quackity was strangely quiet this time around, and didn’t say a word as Techno pushed him through the gate of Snowchester.
“Don’t let him back in,” Techno said to Sam Nook, passing the android Quackity’s sword and axe. “He snuck weapons in and tried to attack me.”
Sam Nook’s attention turned to Quackity, and if a robot’s chittering could sound angry, this one’s did. Techno was almost relieved he wasn’t on the other end of Sam Nook’s ire.
When he returned to the wedding, things had returned to normal, and he sat back down with Tommy and Michael, the latter immediately clambering into his lap. He nodded at Tubbo when their eyes met. Tubbo nodded back. Nothing more needed to be said.