Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The rabbit was scared.

That was nothing new for a rabbit. Their bodies are built to handle fear; tiny hearts that beat as fast as hummingbird, keen eyes and ears to alert to the danger, fast legs to flee it, and a scream that only sounds in the most dire of situations.

But there was a sense of urgency in this particular fear that drove the rabbit on, despite how tired it was, despite the pain, despite the blood that matted its fur. It had to get it out or it would be caught and killed because that’s how the game worked, didn’t it?

The rabbit had played the game before. Never in this way, never with these stakes, never in a way that wasn’t really a game but a desperate attempt to keep it from thinking about reality. The reality that was full of hurt and metal and—

No. Focus.

Rabbits don’t think, the rabbit thought. Keep going.

It seemed as if the black stone tunnel would stretch on forever and the rabbit would be lost in the twisting maze. There was a way out, it knew that much. The scent of dirt was strong and dirt could be burrowed through, it just had to get there. It had no other choice.

Somewhere in the distance was a grinding noise and then a loud, rhythmic pulsing. The loudness seeped through the stone and into the dirty fur of the rabbit’s feet, making its heart pound even harder. It skidded across the stone as it broke into a panic driven run. The rabbit was exhausted, it was in pain, it was leaving a trail of blood as it ran, only adrenaline keeping it from collapsing.

There was dirt ahead. Its nose never lied.

Now all it had to do was dig.

Dig and ignore the pain in its paws, body, heart. Dig and ignore the way the dirt clumped awkwardly in the blood coating its fur. Dig and be ready to run.

Chapter Text

Sunlight reflected off the snow, forcing Techno to shade his eyes with his hand as he scanned the yard. ‘Yard’ might have been a generous term, land that he and Phil had claimed as theirs would be more accurate, but there was a fence and ‘yard’ rolled off the tongue much easier than the other options. He frowned and shifted the basket full of honey comb to his other hand.

The two dogs he had taken with him to collect the honey comb had bolted suddenly, barking their heads off, and now were pacing back and forth along a small portion of the fence. He whistled. One of the dogs, Cami, lifted her head to look back at him and then returned to pacing the fence, stopping here and there to whine and scratch at the ground.

“Get dogs, they said. They’re loyal, they said. They’ll come when they’re called,” muttered Techno under his breath as he began walking towards the fence. “Should’ve got cats, instead.”

When he got closer to the fence, Techno set the basket down and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Things had been quiet lately and he hoped it would remain that way but the quiet of the cabins in the arctic had been shattered once before and he wasn’t one to take that sort of risk.

“There better not be anyone thinkin’ about trespassin’ on my property,” he said aloud, narrowing his eyes as he scanned the area. Nothing moved, nothing made a sound. The dogs were still pawing at the ground along the fence. “I mean it.”

Still nothing.

Techno took a deep breath, in through his snout. He could smell blood, both fresh and old, and animal. His frown deepened. The sort of animal was currently escaping him, overpowered by the dogs and the blood. He tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword and walked a bit down the fence line to one of the gates. The dogs followed, eager to get through the gate, to whatever it was.

“Sit. Sit.” Both dogs whined loudly but sat, their ears drooping and tails wagging. “Good dogs, you stay right here.”

Opening the gate, Techno slipped through as quickly as he could and pulled it shut behind him. The dogs were well trained but even the best trained dog might disobey if it thought there was a good chase or a tasty treat at stake.

He walked back towards the area the dogs had been barking at and began to carefully scan the area. The undergrowth was thick with sweet berry bushes and fallen spruce needles that colored the ground, making it difficult to see anything and he hadn’t brought his glasses. He sniffed the air again, moving closer towards where the scent of blood was the strongest. 

Red splattered the ground in places, almost blending with the bright red berries, and Techno crouched down, moving the branches aside. He almost didn’t see it.

Tucked among the roots of the berry bush was a rabbit.

At first Techno thought it was dead but then he noticed the shallow rise and fall of its flank. He reached in and pulled it out as gently as he could. The rabbit’s eyes opened and he expected it to struggle, the fear wafting off it in waves, but it stayed limp in his hands.

It would probably be a kindness to put it out of its misery but Techno found that he couldn’t. The rabbit was terrified, covered in blood and dirt, and the thought of killing it sat uneasy in his chest.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m a sucker,” said Techno, tucking the rabbit into the crook of his arm, doing his best not to jostle it, and stood. The voices in his head laughed. “Leave me alone, alright?”

He hurried back to the gate, letting it bang close on its own, and bent to pick up the basket, before whistling for the dogs. They eagerly came bounding to his side, almost tripping him as they wove back and forth in front of him, trying to sniff at the rabbit he was carrying.

“Look, I’ll give you guys a treat later, alright, but this one’s not for eatin’. Down, don’t make me tell you twice, Gordon.”

Taking the steps two at a time, Techno stopped at the door of the cabin and dug into his pocket with his free hand. It was a bit of a shame to give the dogs the good jerky but he felt guilty for depriving them of their prey and for his intention to leave them outside.

“Here ya go,” he said, tossing a few pieces to them. “Now just stay here while I go play bunny doctor.”

Inside the cabin was warm and smelled of smoke and leather and iron. The rabbit began to kick weakly in his arms and Techno stroked its fur, murmuring in what he hoped was a soothing manner. Clutter covered most of the kitchen table and he pushed it to the side unceremoniously, clearing a space as best he could.

Still holding the rabbit, he rummaged around in the various chests and barrels, looking for anything that might help. It was awkward, not being able to use both hands, trying not to move in a way that would hurt or startle the rabbit. He spread out a blanket on the table and set the rabbit down.

“Now don’t go jumpin’ off or anything, got it?”

The rabbit didn’t move. One eye was partially open, caked with dirt.

Techno pulled the lever on the sink, listening as the red stone mechanic that brought heated water up from the basement activated. The pipe rattled slightly before spitting out water. Steam rose from it as Techno filled the small bowl. Pulling up a chair, he sat down in front of the rabbit.

“Alright, let’s see what we’ve got,” he said.

He wasn’t sure where to start.

As carefully as he could, Techno began wiping away the dirt and the blood. There was a lot of blood, more than he thought a rabbit had in the first place, despite it being much larger than the rabbits he saw around the tundra. It was a different color as well, a soft tan that reminded him of a baby deer, different even than the speckled brown of the rabbits in the desert, though it was hard to tell. He had thought its ears had been held back but now that he was looking closer, he realized that wasn’t the case. Parts of the ears had were torn or cut away, one almost cut down to half its length.

“What the heck happened to you, huh?”

His original assumption had been that some animal had gotten a hold of it but now that he saw the injuries up close, he knew that wasn’t the case. Techno might not know about rabbits but he knew about blades and all the injuries they could cause. The cuts had been done with a knife. The thin, red stripes across the back, on the other hand, had been done by something else, something that Techno couldn’t place.

“Or who the heck did this to you,” said Techno softly.

The rabbit didn’t answer.

Techno smoothed the cloth over the rabbit’s fur looking for injuries that were still bleeding. It felt like too many and Techno wondered how it was still alive. Taking the jar of flour, he sprinkled it over the wounds; it would clot the blood and if the rabbit decided to lick its wounds, it wouldn’t do it any harm.

When he was done, the rabbit still looked bedraggled and half-dead but it was cleaner and the bleeding had stopped. Its fur stuck up in places, patches missing, and its eyes were closed but its breathing had evened out. That was good enough for Techno.

He stood from the table with a groan, keeping an eye on the rabbit as he emptied out the basket, putting the honey comb up. It was big enough and deep enough that he didn’t think the rabbit would jump out. Or could jump out, given the condition it was in, with two of the toes on its paws missing. Lining the basket with a towel, Techno carefully tucked the rabbit in, stroking its head as he did so.

“I really am a sucker, huh.”

Chapter Text

The rabbit was scared.

It had ran as far as it could, moving by instinct, by some distant and half forgotten memory, until its legs had given out. When it curled up beneath the bush, there had been no thought, only exhaustion. It had heard the dogs barking and the steps of someone approaching and had done what rabbits do: stay still, don’t move an inch.

Even when the pigman had picked it up, the rabbit hadn’t moved. It didn’t move as he carried it, dogs that would surely rip it to shreds nipping at his heels. It had only moved when he brought it somewhere that smelled of metal and fire.

The rabbit knew what those smells meant – pain, never ending – and knew it had to get away but there was no strength in its kicks and when pigman spoke, the words were soft as were his touches.

A memory pricked somewhere in the back of the rabbit’s mind.

People weren’t to be trusted. People would hunt, catch, and maim if they could. It knew that well. There were pieces of it missing now and people had been the ones to cut those pieces away.

But the cabin was warm.

I haven’t betrayed you, the rabbit thought and didn’t know why.

It let the man clean it up if only because it had no energy to do anything else. And the bedding that it lay on was soft so maybe it would be alright if it rested for a moment. Not long, just enough to gather its strength, to be able to run again if needed.

The rabbit closed its eyes.

Chapter Text

Techno had remembered his hat this time. The floppy straw brim kept the sun out of his eyes as he trudged across the frozen ground. If he had built the farm like he meant to, he wouldn’t have to travel so far to get vegetables other than what he had on hand. Each time, he told himself he would get to it and each time something would come up that prevented him from doing so, a seemingly never ending cycle.

He sighed and wiped a bead of sweat away. His breath came out in white puffs and the trip had been long enough to make the muscles in his legs ache slightly. The idea that he really was a sucker crossed his mind and the voices latched onto it, repeating it over and over.

“Yeah, yeah,” he said as he crested the hill.

Ahead were the cabins, just as he had left them, but from this distance he could see the familiar figure of Phil leaning on the porch railing. Techno picked up his pace and when he was close enough, he waved.

“Hullo!”

Phil straightened.

“Hi, mate,” he said. “Was wondering where you went off to. I’ve been spending too much damn time working on that underground bunker and was afraid I’d lost track of time.”

“You, losin’ track of time? Never,” said Techno as he climbed the steps. He gave Phil a light nudge with his elbow. “I was out gettin’ some supplies. Y’know, extremely important stuff.”

Raising an eyebrow, Phil looked at the basket Techno was holding – one that he didn’t recognize – and then looked back up at Techno.

“Carrots?”

“Extremely important, Phil,” Techno repeated, putting emphasis on each word, and pulled open the door to the cabin. “Alright? I’m tellin’ you.”

Phil’s laughter followed him into the cabin.

“I thought you hated carrots?” he asked as he pulled off his coat and hung it on the hook next to the door. His hat was next and he ran a hand through his blond hair. “Or am I mistaken?”

“Not gonna lie, Phil, I’m not the biggest fan but these aren’t for me.”

That answer made Phil stop, poised above the chair he had been about to sit in, surprise on his face. It was exactly like Techno to gather supplies for someone else and absolutely nothing like him to let someone into his home without a lot of very overwrought and loud complaining.

“Who the fuck are they for, then?”

“Look, Phil, I know what you’re gonna say, alright,” he said moving into the kitchen, Phil following behind at a distance. The wood burning stove was still on and the basket where the rabbit slept was still on the table. “But what was I gonna do, just leave it?”

Phil pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Jesus.” His shoulders sagged slightly in resignation and he shook his head. “You brought home another damn animal, didn’t you.”

It wasn’t a question; Phil already knew and there was fondness in the words.

“Okay, listen. It was hurt and sufferin’, I had to do somethin’, Phil. I mean, just look at it.”

Gesturing to the basket, Techno took a step back so that Phil could get a look. The shorter man leaned over the table then gave a low whistle.

“That thing’s alive?” he asked. “It looks fucking dead. What the hell happened to it?”

“No idea.” Techno shrugged helplessly and turned to the sink to begin washing the carrots. “At first I thought maybe a dog or a fox got a hold of it but some of those cuts are too dang clean to be animal bites.”

“You thinking someone did this on purpose?”

“I mean, I really don’t like thinkin’ about those implications but I can’t think of another explanation,” said Techno, picking up a knife. All the knives in the small cabin were kept razor sharp. It cut through the carrots like silk and hit the wooden board below with a thud.

“Sadistic fuckers,” said Phil, leaning down to take a closer look. The rabbit opened its eye, pupil so wide that only black was visible. It kicked its hind legs, a sad attempt to stand, but only succeeded in pushing itself partially out of the basket. “Whoa, there.”

Techno turned back to the table and Phil stepped out of his way.

“Easy, easy there little buddy,” he said as he carefully pat the rabbit’s head and tucked it back into the basket. “I’m getting you some food, alright, just hang tight.”

“I’m not sure it’s going to eat, mate.” He pointed towards the rabbit’s mouth. There was a thin trickle of blood, fresh, dripping down. “I think its teeth or jaw are busted or something. It looks a tad crooked.”

Sighing, Techno sunk down into the chair.

“Yeah, I was kinda afraid of that.”

“Might be best to put it out of its misery,” said Phil, tone gentle and knowing what the answer would be before he even spoke. They had been friends for so long, after all.

Techno leaned back in the chair, watching the rabbit. At Phil’s words, its ears had twitched and it had closed its eyes as if it was resigned to that fate. Which was a ridiculous thought as rabbits didn’t speak human. He rubbed his chin.

“I know, I know,” he said, “but I just don’t got it in me to kill a helpless bunny rabbit, alright, Phil? I mean, just look at it.”

With a laugh, Phil griped Techno’s shoulder and gave him a light shake. He kept his hand there, leaning against him.

“Aw, mate. You’ll want to grind up the food then, mix it with a little milk, and feed it that way,” said Phil. “Just make sure that you don’t choke it.”

Techno’s cheeks went a deeper shade of pink and he waved his hand.

“You know that from your child rearin’ days, huh? I guess a baby is close enough to a bunny,” he said.

“Pfft. You want some help with this or not?”

Rabbits don’t speak human, that much was true.

But speaking and understanding were different things and the rabbit understood. Words were invasive, they wormed their way in, and the rabbit knew many. It knew enough to realize that most rabbits did not and wonder why it was different. Enough to know that the pigman and the man with the broken wings would think it strange that it understood.

So it had done its best not to react, to stay still.

Its ear had betrayed it and the pigman had narrowed his eyes ever so slightly and nothing else.

The smell of food wafted towards the rabbit and it became painfully aware of how hungry it was. Days had passed since it had eaten – it couldn’t even remember the taste of food – and the thought of eating made its stomach recoil. If the men tried to feed it, it would be sick.

There was no way it could communicate that.

I could tell them, it thought and it was a strange thought.

How? How could it tell them anything when it couldn’t speak?

You know how.

The rabbit’s nose twitched.

There was something, something in the back of its mind, that was buried away deep. Like a warren that had gone sour and abandoned. That was how. All it had to do was dig it up but the rabbit was afraid. What was buried there was pain and anguish and hatred and the rabbit was tired.

A voice that sounded familiar said, you’ll have to eventually.

And it would.

The rabbit knew that.

But it wasn’t the sort of thing a rabbit should know and so it forgot for now.

Chapter Text

Techno had fed animals by hand before; tiny fox kits with their eyes still closed and dogs that had gotten sick and needed to be tended to. Each time there had been a learning curve as he figured out what worked and what didn’t, as the animal learned to trust that he would do it no harm. He was patient enough.

This rabbit, however, seemed determined not to accept the food.

At first Techno had thought it didn’t trust him but it allowed him to clean its wounds, to pet it, to drip water into its mouth. It was only the food it refused. Phil had been right about the state of its mouth – the jaw was dislocated and at least one visible tooth was broken – and so Techno had mashed up over cooked carrots mixed with milk. Even that had been refused.

“Listen, little buddy, if you don’t eat, you’re gonna end up as dog food or fertilizer,” he said, carefully scratching the rabbit’s head. The fur was still matted in places, missing in others, but it closed its eyes and Techno thought it must like it. “C’mon, it’s tasty carrots. Don’t bunnies love carrots?”

The rabbit’s nose twitched.

“Why are you bein’ so stubborn? Just eat the dang carrots.”

The rabbit pressed its face further into the towel. Techno sighed and picked up the spoon, getting a fresh scoop of mashed carrots. He waved it in front of the rabbit’s face and after a moment, it opened its eye and looked at him.

“Mm mm, look at these delicious carrots.” He waved the spoon around some more before bringing it up to his mouth and taking the smallest bite possible. His nose wrinkled in disgust but he smiled. “Yep, that’s some tasty carrots. You don’t wanna miss out, do you?”

Holding the spoon to rabbit’s mouth, Techno couldn’t help but notice the way it trembled, how it tried to flatten itself against the bottom of the basket. Fear in a wild animal was reasonable. He had seen it plenty of times before and this struck him as different. It smelled like terror that it couldn’t escape.

“C’mon, you need food,” said Techno, voice soft and touch even softer as he pressed his fingers against the rabbit’s mouth, opening it just enough to drop some of the carrot mixture in. The rabbit shook its head, moving its mouth in what Techno could only describe as disgust. “Yeah, yeah, I know, I lied. It’s pretty disgustin’, isn’t it?”

This time it didn’t struggle as much as he dropped a bit more into its mouth.

“There ya go, little buddy. Gotta keep your strength up if you want to get better.”

The words felt hollow. What strength did it have to begin with?

“Yeah, you’ll get there,” he said and gave it one more drop of food. It shuddered and kicked its hind leg. Techno set the spoon down and stroked its back. Beneath the fur, he could feel its spine sticking out like a crooked branch. There was little muscle and no fat on the rabbit.

A frown tugged at Techno’s mouth.

In the wild, any animal would have died of starvation or been killed long before it got to this point. Then there were the injuries. Some were fresh but others were old, healed over, and some were made with a blade. Whatever had been done to the rabbit, had been done on purpose and for awhile.

“What the heck happened to you?”

The rabbit lifted its head slightly and looked at him, tattered ears pressed flat, eyes bulging. Techno shifted awkwardly in his seat, not able to shake the feeling that it was trying to tell him something. Which was ridiculous because rabbits didn’t tell stories. He tucked the towel around it then stood, picking up the basket.

“Don’t worry, I’m not tossin’ you out.” Yawning, Techno headed into the main room of the cabin where a fire still crackled and the chairs were more comfortable. “I just would like to get some shut eye and I don’t want you hoppin’ off the table or anythin’.”

He set the basket down next to his rocking chair, near the fireplace. The book he had been reading was still on the table, his reading glasses folded on top, the page marked by a scrap of leather that one of the dogs had chewed on. A blanket was draped over the back of the chair and Techno spread it over his lap and picked up his book. 

The food sat in the rabbit’s stomach poorly.

It hadn’t wanted to eat. The thought of food made it sick. It had gone so long without food, knew food was both a reward and a punishment, though it couldn’t remember where it had learned that. There were many lessons it had learned and it couldn’t think of where they had been taught.

Wouldn’t think of it.

If it thought of those things, then it wouldn’t be a just rabbit anymore.

Why am I thinking that?

It watched the pigman as he read through eyes that were half closed and saw that he often glanced this way. The rabbit’s heart beat faster, a nervousness it couldn’t stop. The pigman was bigger and stronger and could snap the rabbit’s neck.

So far the touches had been gentle, the food not soured by poison or mold, but that could change on a whim. The rabbit knew that.

The rabbit knew that very well.

But even still, it wanted to trust that the man who had cleaned its wounds and made silly noises to calm it as he tried to feed it and that was another thing that was decidedly unrabbit like.

It watched him until the man fell asleep, glasses slipping off his snout and into his lap, and it was only then that the rabbit felt safe enough to close its eyes and try to sleep.

Chapter Text

“Do y’think rabbits dream, Phil?”

Phil looked up from the fence post he was trying to keep straight. It almost slipped and he caught it, pushing dirt into the hole with his foot. One eyebrow was raised high enough that it had disappeared under the brim of his hat.

“If dogs dream, I guess a rabbit could have dreams,” he said. “What’s got you thinking about that, mate?”

There was no immediate answer as Techno hammered in the crossbeam. When he straightened, he tapped the hammer against his thigh and looked back to the house.

“I swear, Phil, I think that rabbit I found is havin’ nightmares or somethin’,” said Techno. “It was strugglin’ in its sleep. I thought it was gonna flop out of the basket.”

Phil gave a snort of fond laughter and shook his head.

“You that worried about some stray rabbit? I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Phil picked up the next piece of fencing and set into the notch that had been cut out. The dog house had been sitting unfinished for months until Techno had come over in the morning, ready to finish it. A smile crossed Phil’s face. “You’re doing all you can for it, mate. More than most people would do.”

“I know, I know, it’s just—”

Scratching at his neck, Techno paused. There was very little he kept from Phil but even then he couldn’t find the right words to say that something about the rabbit seemed familiar, that beneath the fear and blood, there was a scent that he recognized but couldn’t place.

He shook his head.  

“Ah, you’re right, Phil, you always are,” he said.

Phil put his hand on Techno’s shoulder and squeezed. Something else was bothering him, he could tell, and he knew Techno well enough to know that he’d tell him when he was able. That was the way of it.

“How about we finish this up and then you won’t have to worry about the dogs getting at your new pet.”

“Pfft. Who said I’m keepin’ it?”

With a laugh, Phil picked up the next beam of wood. His wings lifted slightly as he moved, the bandages rustling.

“You can’t fool me, mate,” said Phil. His tone became teasing. “I know you’re going to keep the cute little bunny rabbit.”

“Bruh…” A beat passed and then, “I can’t even argue that.”

“So what are you going to name it?” he asked.

“I think I’m gonna wait a bit, y’know, to make sure that it actually lives first.”

There was another stretch of silence, this one longer than the last, as the two continued working on the fence.

“I’m thinkin’ maybe Gary.”

The rabbit was dreaming.

It had a lot of dreams, most of them of running and digging and grass beneath its paws. Rabbit dreams where it could smell clover and dandelion and feel the sun on its fur. Dreams about rabbit games, a chase that made the blood pump hot and fast, hide and seek in burrows and holes, that ended in contentment.

(Sometimes it dreamed they ended in laughter but that couldn’t be; rabbits dream but they don’t laugh.)

Then there were other Dreams, ones about knives and screaming and hands around its throat as it struggled for breath. Ones about the smell of smoke and its own flesh burning. They were not rabbit dreams but something else that made it whimper and twist in its sleep, terrified that it would wake up to more pain.

For so long, that’s all it had known.

That when it woke up, it would be back in that room of stone, every inch of its body hurting, panting on the ground that should be warm but was aways freezing. It shivered in its sleep.

When it woke up, the rabbit was in the cabin of the pigman and it smelled like pine sap and it was lying on something soft and not hard stone. Its body still hurt and the rabbit thought that it always would but no one was hurting it.

It lifted its head and sniffed the air.

The pigman was no where to be seen and panic fluttered in its chest.

He was safe, he could be trusted, and the rabbit found that it wanted to find him. It tried to push itself to its feet but its legs shook.

Why did it want to find him? Wasn’t the cabin safe enough?

There were thoughts that the rabbit didn’t want, didn’t understand, and it flicked one of its ears as if it could shake those thoughts away.

Snap out of it, you idiot, it thought.

The rabbit put one of its paws on the rim of the basket and then the other. The basket wobbled a bit. There was the sound of footsteps and the rabbit wanted to focus on them but the basket had begun to tip and the rabbit was falling.

As soon as it had started to fall, it had stopped, the pigman catching the basket and righting it. He put his hand out and carefully pet the rabbit’s head. The rabbit bit him, ears folding back when the pigman let out a sound of surprise.

It didn’t know why it had done that or why, when he reached out again, it butted its head against his hand, only that it seemed like the right thing to do.

Chapter Text

Three days of rest, spoon feeding, and cleaning the rabbit’s wounds had only produced minimal improvement. It moved more now and would lift its head to watch Techno as he went about daily tasks but that was about the extent of it. Techno had considered giving it some healing potions. He had even gone as far to bring one out while he was feeding it but the sight of the shimmering glass bottle had caused the rabbit to panic.

Which was odd, now that Techno thought about it.

Leaning the broom against the wall, he looked over towards the basket. Only the tip of one of its ears, the one that hadn’t been cut half way down, was visible from where he stood. Someone had done this to the rabbit and it wasn’t so far-fetched to think that they might have used potions. It was a gruesome thought and one that Techno found himself turning over and over in his mind. Who had done this and why? What point would hurting a rabbit have?

None, was the obvious answer, and for some reason that didn’t make Techno feel any better.

He opened the door and picked up the blue carpet and shook it off, over the railing of the porch. Phil had chided him from doing so before – the debris sat on top of the snow, making it look dirty – but sometimes Techno just didn’t feel like walking down the steps and to somewhere that wasn’t an eyesore.

A strong gust of wind blew across the tundra and Techno shivered. The cold rarely bothered him but the depths of winter was approaching and he was only wearing a thin undershirt and a pair of pants. He stepped back inside, closing the door and dropping the rug back in front of it.

“Brrr,” he said, rubbing his hands over his arms as he made his way to his rocking chair. It creaked as he sat down. Techno sighed. “How are you doin’? I’d say the fur should keep you warm but you’re missin’ quite a lot of it, huh?”

The rabbit’s ear twitched but it didn’t open its eyes.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. I should get you another blanket.” Techno considered getting up to do so but he had just sat down and he was tired. He yawned. “Eh, you’re fine, right, Gary?”

It was the first time he had used that name in front of the rabbit and immediately its eyes flew open and it turned its head towards him. Techno couldn’t help but snort in amusement.

“What, you don’t like that name? I don’t know, man, you kinda look like a Gary to me. I’m not good with names,” said Techno.

The rabbit thumped its back leg.

“Look, if you got a better suggestion, feel free to tell me, otherwise I’m gonna keep callin’ you ‘Gary’.”

The rabbit gave one final thump of its back leg before settling back down, still staring at Techno, its nose occasionally twitching. In the warm light of the cabin, the rabbit’s eyes seemed to hold a slight green tint to them. Techno didn’t know much about rabbits but he was pretty certain that they didn’t have green eyes and he felt like that was another piece for a puzzle he couldn’t see the overall picture of, not yet.

There was a knock on the door which caused both him and the rabbit to jump and Techno’s train of thought was completely derailed.

“You home, mate?” Phil called, waiting a moment to open the door. He poked his head inside. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”

With a groan, Techno leaned back in the chair, stretching out his legs, his hooves scrapping against the wood floor.

“Yeah, you’re interruptin’ the nap I was about to take,” he said. “What’s up?”

Laughing, Phil wiped his boots off on the rug and Techno winced a little. He could clean the rug again later and this time he wouldn’t feel bad about shaking it off in front of the door.

“I was up around the portal by spawn, been doing some renovation.” He paused to sit down in the chair that sat on the other side of the fireplace, glancing at the rabbit in the basket with a smile and soft chuckle. “Anyway, saw Quackity and Sam and a few others. They were clearly arguing and got quiet as soon as they saw me. Quackity started asking about you, said he might drop in, but I told him you were busy.”

“Hm.”

Techno tapped a finger against his chin. The last time Quackity had dropped in, it had ended with his horse being kidnapped – horse napped? – and his execution. The gold scars that crisscrossed his skull and left side of his face were a constant reminder of the brief moment he had died. He shifted in his seat, turning his gaze back to Phil.

“I’ll have to keep an eye out for him. I wonder what the heck he wants?”

“Not a damn clue, mate. They all looked nervous, though, I can tell you that much. Sam looked pissed.”

A soft thud interrupted the quip Techno had been about to give, something about creepers and Sam and always looking pissed, and he looked down. The basket had tumbled off the stone hearth where Techno had set it, spilling the rabbit out onto the floor. It tried to stand but its whole body shook and its paws slipped on the wood.

“Easy, Gary, easy,” said Techno, bending down and scooping the rabbit up into his arms. He tucked it in against his chest, one arm beneath it, the other hand stroking its head. “What’s gotten into you, huh?”

“Something must’ve spooked it,” Phil said.

“Yeah.” Techno looked around; nothing seemed to out of place, there had been no sudden noise or anything of the sort. “I’ll tell you what, Phil, rabbits sure are jumpy. It bit me out of nowhere earlier.”

Phil gave a bark of laughter.

“I think jumpy is the whole point of rabbits, mate.”

“Okay, y’know what Phil?” He paused for comedic effect and then nodded his head in agreement. “You do have a point, you do have a point.”

When Phil’s laughter tapered off, he nodded towards the rabbit.

“Gary? You really went with that, mate?”

The rabbit did not like the name ‘Gary’.

It had a name, one it barely remembered, and there was part of it that thought it should let the knowledge of that name slip away, because if it remembered then it would be that name once more and it knew that name hurt.

You’re being a fucking pussy, it thought.

The rabbit was having a lot of thoughts it shouldn’t be and it wanted those thoughts to leave, like the memory of its name, the memory of metal and blood, so it could stay safe in this cabin. It wouldn’t even bite the pigman again if that meant it could keep being the rabbit and nothing else.

Oh my god, came another unwanted thought and the rabbit thumped its hind foot in annoyance.

It stared at the pigman and it knew his name as well but if he insisted on calling the rabbit ‘Gary’ then it was only fair that Techno remain the pigman.

At least for now.

There was the sound of footsteps outside. The rabbit heard them approaching but still jumped at the sound of the knock. It pressed itself down into the basket as far as it could, trying to make itself small and still and unseen.

It was the man with the broken wings and the pigman trusted him and while the rabbit wasn’t sure if it could trust him, not yet, it began to close its eyes, wanting to sleep.

But then it heard names it knew, names that sent a bolt of terror through it, and the rabbit raised its ears, listening to what the birdman was saying.

It listened and knew.

It had to run.

That was the only thought in the rabbit’s head. That it needed to get away and now before the names that haunted it came here. Before it was caught and put back in the box of black stone. Its back legs kicked as it tried to stand, tangling in the towel.

The basket tipped over and dumped the rabbit onto the floor.

It wasn’t a big fall. It had leaped from higher, trusting that it would land, but hitting the wood floor still hurt and when it stood, there were no nails to give it purchase, they had been ripped from its paws and hadn’t grown back.

The rabbit shook and slipped and then the pigman was picking it up, holding it carefully to his chest. It could feel his heart beating, slow and steady compared to the quick, erratic beating of the rabbit’s heart. Instinct still told it to run but it was tired and its legs hurt and the pigman was gentle.

It couldn’t even remember why it had been scared in the first place.

Rabbits had to fear foxes and dogs and the hunters that flushed them from their burrows. Not names, not the past. If it could just forget all of that then maybe there would be no more pain, no more punishment for things it couldn’t remember, no more smell of death drawn into its skin.

It could be the rabbit, it could be Gary, if that meant it was safe.

Chapter Text

Techno knew animals well and he knew the smell of fear.

The rabbit had been terrified, so terrified that it had tried to run despite its legs barely being able to hold its weight. Not that it weighed much to begin with. It was easy enough for him to tuck the rabbit into the sleeve of his overshirt and climb the ladder to his bedroom that way.

Setting the rabbit down on one of the many pillows that made up his bed, Techno took off his glasses and placed them on the nightstand.

“Listen, Gary, you can stay up here tonight but you better not poop on my bed, okay?”

The rabbit’s ears swiveled around towards him.

“I mean it,” said Techno, shaking a finger at the rabbit. “You poop on my bed and I’m gonna make earmuffs out of you, got it?”

The rabbit looked at him and then bit down on the corner of the pillow, chewing on the fabric as it stared at Techno.

“Are you kiddin’ me right now?” Tugging off his overshirt, Techno folded it up loosely and tossed it towards the open drawer of his dresser. “Is this because you don’t like bein’ called Gary?”

Even the soft fabric of the pillow made the rabbit’s jaw and broken teeth hurt and so it laid down, paws tucked under it, having made its point.

“Yeah, yeah, alright, so maybe it’s not the best name for a bunny but you’ll just have to get used to it, alright, man? Besides, you look like a Gary to me,” he said.

The rabbit lifted its head, nose twitching, giving Techno one last baleful stare before it closed its eyes.

Techno gave a snort.

If he didn’t know better, he would say that the rabbit understood him, that it was responding to what he was saying and doing. But he did know better and Techno knew that rabbits, no matter how clever, didn’t understand people. Perhaps they could guess at intent based on instinct but not sass him over a name choice.

He also knew enough to know that rabbits didn’t have green eyes and this rabbit’s eyes were a dark green, like emerald that had caught the faint light of a torch in a dark cave. Techno shook his head, the corner of his mouth curling up into a grin as he got into bed.

“Definitely looks like a Gary,” he said.

The rabbit didn’t feel as safe sitting on the pillow as it had the basket.

The basket had walls and it could curl up, half hidden in the towel. Now it felt too exposed. There was irony in that, knowing it had escaped from a place that was all walls and now it was wishing for walls. The wicker of the basket, however, was different than stone. The rabbit could chew through wicker.

It watched the pigman until he had fallen asleep, chest rising and falling. He snored and the rabbit wasn’t surprised by that fact at all.

He always looked like someone who snored, it thought.

The rabbit flicked its ear.

Always? Was that the right word?

It decided that it didn’t care; there was a blanket right next to the pillow that looked soft and it hopped down, kneading the fabric for a moment with its paws before it curled up. The pigman was close but the rabbit knew he wouldn’t crush it.

How it knew, the rabbit couldn’t say. Or wouldn’t say.

It closed its eyes.

Even rabbits had secrets.

Chapter Text

Overnight, snow had piled up, covering the porch and the stairs, clinging to the window sills and in the nooks and crannies of the cabin. Techno carefully put another log onto the fire, stoking the flames. The heat filled the small cabin and sweat beaded on the back of his neck. He was wearing his heaviest coat and a shovel was propped up near the door. It was rusty but it would get the job done. Grabbing his hat from the hook, Techno tugged it on.

“At least it’s stopped snowin’ for now,” he said. The rabbit was the only one present to hear. He clapped his hands together. “Alright, I’m gonna go clear a path, you just stay right there, okay? I mean, I don’t think you’re goin’ anywhere but.”

He waited for a moment but the only response from the rabbit was it opening one eye. He pulled the door open, picked up the shovel, and stepped outside.

The routine of shoveling snow was good for clearing his mind as well as the porch. The voices in his head quieted and Techno didn’t have to think about what to do next. Shovel, toss. Shovel, toss. That was it.

Techno had almost cleared the entire porch, having only the second set of stairs to clean, when the scent of a new arrival filled the cold, arctic air. He wrinkled his nose.

“I really hate bein’ right all the time,” he muttered to himself, leaning on the shovel as he shaded his eyes. In the distance, he could see the approaching figure of Quackity. The shorter man struggled as he picked his way through the newly fallen snow and Techno could have gone to meet him but he didn’t, forcing a smile onto his face.

When Quackity was closer, he waved.

“Techno! Long time no see, man,” he said and if Techno’s smile was forced, Quackity’s smile was easy and so very fake. “How are you doing?”

Narrowing his eyes, Techno looked around as if he half expected to see that Quackity hadn’t come alone. Suspicion had settled in the pit of his stomach. It wouldn’t be too unheard of for him to come by himself, not after the red banquet, but after what Phil saw, he wasn’t sure it was the same.

“What d’you want, Quackity?” asked Techno.

Quackity laughed.

“Straight to the point, huh.” He stuck his hands into his pockets, crushing the snow under the heel of his shoe. The casualness was as fake as his smile. “You’re on good terms with Dream, right? I mean, you did work with him, so.”

Warning bells were going off in Techno’s head and he tightened his jaw.

“Not gonna lie, Quackity, I haven’t talked to Dream in forever,” he said. “He’s still locked up in that prison, right? That’s the last I heard. So why are you askin’?”

Despite his attempts to keep his tone level, that suspicion had crept into Techno’s voice, making it clear that he hadn’t forgotten the time Quackity had threatened his horse to force his compliance. Worry flickered across Quackity’s face, the smile faltering for a moment before it returned even wider.

“Whoa, whoa, no need to get all hostile,” said Quackity, holding his hands up. “We’re all friends here, right? We’ve worked together, remember, Techno? All I’m asking is, have you talked to Dream lately? You know, gone to visit him or gotten a letter from him, anything like that.”

Guilt made Techno’s chest hurt; he hadn’t gone to visit Dream, hadn’t even thought about doing so other than a few fleeting moments. There wasn’t a reason for it or not one that he wanted to think about; why Dream was the one to end up in that prison and not him or Phil. He had never questioned it and now that seemed like a glaring oversight.

“Nope. I’m allergic prisons, y’know, the whole anarchy thing…” Techno straightened a bit, turning the shovel and watching the blade dig into the snow. “Isn’t Sam the one in charge? Shouldn’t he be askin’ the questions or are you workin’ for him now?”

“Let’s just say we have a mutual agreement.” Grinning, Quackity took a meandering step to the side, testing which parts of the snow weren’t as deep. “I’m helping with prisoner enrichment.”

The words were innocuous but Techno felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

“What, you readin’ him bedtime stories or somethin’?” he asked.

Quackity smiled and his gold tooth glinted in what little sunlight filtered through the clouds.

“Something like that, something like that,” he said. “Well, in that case, I should get going. I just wanted to stop by, see how you were doing.”

“Heh? You came all this way just to ask if I had talked to Dream? What the heck?”

Something crossed Quackity’s face that Techno couldn’t quite place and he looked towards the cabin. Techno put his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“I can’t check in on a friend?” asked Quackity, good eye darting towards Techno’s hand.

“We worked together once, I don’t think that makes us friends, Quackity.”

“If that’s how you feel about it.” Quackity shrugged. Something about the words almost felt like a threat and Techno frowned, tightening his grip on his sword.

“Yeah, I’m thinkin’ that’s how I feel about it, Quackity.”

“Well, in that case, it was good to see you, Techno.”

The kettle on the stove whistled as Techno filled two tea bags and placed them into the mismatched mugs. Steam rose as he poured the water in, the scent of peppermint filling the kitchen. He dunked the tea bags a few times, watching the water turn from clear to light brown, and then picked the mugs up.

“So Quackity stopped by,” he said, handing a mug to Phil.

Phil rolled his eyes.

“Should’ve known that he would.” He blew on the tea. “I had a feeling they were up to something. What’d he want?”

Sitting down, Techno brushed his pants off, balancing the mug on the arm of his chair.

“He was askin’ me about Dream, of all things,” he said. “He wanted to know if I’d talked to him recently or gone to visit him.”

“Why the hell would you do that?” asked Phil.

Techno blinked. That hadn’t been the question he had been expecting and he shrugged, shifting a little in his chair.

“I mean, he did save my life, I kinda owe him for that one.” The guilt came creeping back up on him. “He’s been locked up in that dang prison for a year, Phil. I probably should’ve gone and checked on him sooner…”

He trailed off.

The smile on Phil’s face was soft and full of affection even as he shook his head a little.

“So what, you’re planning on going to visit him now?”

Techno looked down to where the rabbit was sitting in the basket. He had added a pillow, the same one the rabbit had chewed on, and another blanket which seemed to have made it happier. Though right now, it hadn’t moved a muscle, eyes still wide, ears pinned back. It had been that way since he had come in from shoveling snow.

Since Quackity had visited.

Techno looked back to Phil.

“I’m thinkin’ about it, I’m thinkin’ about it,” he said.

“I can go with you, mate, if you want.”

Waving his hand, Techno took a sip of the tea. The mint smell tickled his nose.

“Nah, it’s my favor, I’m the one that owes him, I gotta do it alone. Besides, I’m gonna need you to feed Gary while I’m gone.”

Phil made a face.

“You really want me to feed that mangy beast?” he asked, laughing a little.

The rabbit thumped its back leg, finally moving, head turned towards Phil.

“Aw, c’mon, Phil, you’re gonna hurt his feelin’s. Just look at him,” said Techno, leaning down to scratch the rabbit on its head. It shook itself as if trying to shake away the show of affection. “How can you say no to that face?”

“Fine, fine, I’ll take care of your bloody rabbit,” Phil said with an exaggerated sigh. “When are you planning on going?”

Techno looked to the door, fingers tapping against the side of the ceramic mug. It was warm, like the inside of the cabin, and he didn’t want to get up. But he owed Dream and he couldn’t shake the guilt that had settled. He was free and Dream had been locked away for a year and even worse than the guilt was the feeling he couldn’t shake that something was wrong. Why else had Quackity shown up like that? And how was it connected to whatever Phil had witnessed the other day?

There was something else, too, a thought that had been tugging at the back of his mind and Techno thought it wouldn’t let go until he had gone to the prison and made sure Dream was still there, was still alright.

“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered to himself and then to Phil, “I’m gonna finish my tea first, I think.”

Chapter Text

The prison was an eyesore.

The server had never been beautiful, had always been a mismatch of different build styles, of incomplete structures, of dirt turned into homes with the help of wooden planks and a nonchalant attitude. Techno always wondered if Dream had once planned for it to be different. Judging by the community house, the building that had been built first and later destroyed, Techno thought that he had.

He wondered where exactly the whole thing had gone so wrong that the owner of this server had wound up in prison.

The invisibility potion was going to wear off soon. Techno had been watching the prison for the better part of a day, afraid of a trap, but the more he had watched, the more he thought they were in too much of a state of disarray to be thinking of traps. He had seen Bad stumble out during guard change and even at a distance Techno had picked up the scent of apple juice.

He sighed as the shimmer brightened for a second before popping like a bubble, leaving him visible. It might as well be now.

A shiver hit Techno as he stepped into the shade of the building; it was huge, bigger than any other building that he had seen and it could have housed everyone but instead was being used to hold one person. That didn’t sit well with Techno, even if it was Dream that had been locked up.

Or maybe because it was Dream. He wasn’t sure.

He was about to step through the portal that led to the prison entrance when it made the tell-tale sound of someone coming through. Moving back, Techno put his hand on his sword. The timing was perfect and he knew that wasn’t a coincidence.

Sam, in full netherite armor and his trident in his hand, stepped out.

“What are you doing here, Technoblade?” he asked, voice distorted by the mask that covered the bottom portion of his face.

“Is this how you greet everyone that comes to visit? I gotta say, it doesn’t really make me feel all that welcomed,” said Techno.

“Visitors are no longer allowed.” Sam tapped the butt of his trident against the ground. “Go home.”

“Heh? Since when?”

“Since the prisoner killed the last one,” he snapped.

Techno leaned back. He hadn’t forgotten about that; he just hadn’t truly believed it when he had heard that Tommy had been killed in the prison. It had seemed like such an absurd thing to happen but in hindsight, it did seem distinctly like something that would happen to Tommy.

“That kinda sounds like a ‘you’ problem, not gonna lie, Sam,” said Techno, watching the warden closely. The mask couldn’t hide how agitated he was. “Look, I just wanna see Dream, alright? I told Phil and everyone else I was comin’ up here to visit ‘cause I owe him dinner from way back.”

A noise of disgust escaped Sam but wariness flashed in his eyes, intense at the mention of Phil.

“No. I said no visitors, no exceptions. Now go home, unless you want to end up in a cell. That’s the only way you’re stepping foot into this prison. Do you understand?”

He did.

He understood that there was something that Sam was hiding, that Quackity was involved with, and whatever that was, it meant he didn’t want anyone going into the prison. Even an idiot could have figured that one out and Techno thought Sam had to know that as well.

“Sure, sure, man,” he said. “Can’t say I’m too heartbroken about the whole thing. I’m not much of a prison fan, if y’know what I mean.”

Sam stared at him for a moment.

“Are we done?”

Laughing, Techno let go of the hilt of his sword and took a step back.

“Yeah, man. I’ll see you later, Sam.”

“No,” said Sam and he stepped back through the portal.

Phil was leaning on the railing of the small porch off the back of his cabin, scanning the area, waiting for the familiar shape of Techno to crest the ridge. It hadn’t been long and Techno had seemed certain that he’d be back by the end of the day. Phil wasn’t so certain. A million things could go wrong, the whole thing could be a setup and he wouldn’t have been surprised. He had expected a bit more caution from his friend but Techno seemed to have a bee in his bonnet about something.

Light reflect off something in the distance and Phil felt himself relax, breathing out a sigh of relief before hurrying down to meet Techno.

“That was a quick visit,” he called as soon as he was closer.

Techno put his hand on Phil’s shoulder and patted him as he looked towards the cabins.

“Yeah, that’s because there was no visit. I got all the way there and Sam turned me away, said no visitors were allowed. He was lookin’ real jumpy, Phil.”

“Huh.” That wasn’t surprising, either. “I wonder what’s got them all worked up?”

“Not sure but I’m thinkin’ it’s got somethin’ to do with Dream,” said Techno.

“Well, that would make sense. Not sure what the hell he could be up to locked away, though.”

“No clue,” he said and started up the stairs of the porch.

Phil followed.

“As long as they don’t involve us in whatever it is, I honestly don’t give a damn.”

“Yeah.” Techno stopped at the door, fingers wrapped around the handle. “I’ve got the feelin’ we already might be involved, Phil.”

There was no arguing that point and Phil just nodded as they stepped inside the cabin.

“Your dang rabbit bit me, by the way, mate. Thought I’d try some mashed potatoes in case it was getting sick of carrots but the little fucker bit me,” he said.

In the basket, the rabbit lifted its head, nose working a mile a minute. Techno thought it had a distinctly satisfied and unapologetic look about it. He gave a soft huff of laughter.

“I can’t believe you tried to feed poor Gary potatoes, Phil, shame on you.” Bending down, he scooped the rabbit up into his arms and sat down with a sigh. “Everyone knows bunnies don’t like potatoes. You probably traumatized the poor thing.”

“Me? Traumatized it?” Phil scoffed, his smile wide as he leaned against the wall. “I’m the one traumatized. It might be missing some teeth but the ones its still got are sharp as hell.”

The rabbit trembled and Techno pulled his cloak over to cover it.

“Aw, he’s just scared, aren’t you, Gary?”

As an answer, the rabbit pressed its nose into the palm of Techno’s hand. It was still shivering and Techno kept his hand there, rubbing the soft fur behind its ears. After a moment, it laid down in his lap, tucked into a ball.

“Can’t say I really blame the mangy little thing,” said Phil. “That rabbit looks like it’s been through the wars. Anyway, mate, I can’t stay. I’ve got a few things that I need to take care of.”

Techno rocked his chair back.

“That busy, huh?” 

Chuckling, Phil took off his hat for a moment and ran his hand through his hair.

“Next time I get an idea to build an underground arena, tell me it’s a bad idea, will you, mate?”

“There’s gonna be a next time?” Techno asked, mouth curling into a wide grin.

“You.” Phil shook a finger in Techno’s direction before pulling the door open. “Shut.”

The rabbit hadn’t actually meant to bite the man with the broken wings.

It had been worried when the pigman left, afraid that it couldn’t trust the other man, but he had been slow in his movements as not to startle the rabbit and did his best not to touch it unless necessary. That had been enough for the rabbit to decide he could be trusted.

At least until the potatoes.

All food made the rabbit feel nauseous, going against its nature, but potatoes were the worst. Just the scent of them made the rabbit gag, tongue working uselessly in its mouth. If it ate them, it would vomit, like it had before.

Rabbits can’t vomit, a voice reminded it.

So the rabbit had bit the man and the man had cursed and the rabbit had cowered, expecting blows to come as punishment, but they hadn’t. It wondered if the time of beatings and pain was over.

And now, in the lap of the pigman, with its head pressed against his hand, it could hope.

Chapter Text

It had taken the rabbit a week and a day to be able to walk without constant stumbling or losing its balance. Even after all that time, it would still occasionally trip or stop in its tracks, dropping to the floor and panting and shaking. Techno had tried to get it to eat more, had spent each day spoon feeding it mashed vegetables or fruits, but it was stubborn.

Techno would have admired it, if it didn’t make things harder for him.

The rabbit followed after him as he put the clean towels away, pausing to make sure it was out of the way before he closed the bathroom door. It kept close to his heels as he walked back to the kitchen. When he stopped, the rabbit headbutted his leg.

“Alright, alright,” said Techno, turning to pick up the water dish that was tucked into the corner. It wasn’t empty but it was close. He rinsed it out and refilled it. The rabbit took a few sips, watching Techno with one eye as it did so. “D’you want some food while I’m in here?”

The rabbit wiggled its nose.

“C’mon, man, you know I don’t speak bunny. Is that a yes or no? I got some melon if you want,” he said. Already he was opening the ice chest. “Phil brought it back, figure you might like some.”

Standing on its hind legs, the rabbit looked up at the piece of melon he was holding. It swayed slightly and when it went back down on all fours, it slipped a little then struggled to right itself. Techno sighed. The missing toes and nails made it difficult for the rabbit to do basic things and he could see the frustration in how it pinned its ears back.

He might be reading into it, seeing human emotion where there was none, but the strange, tickling thought at the back of his mind wouldn’t leave him and Techno knew what it was like to feel things, only to have them denied.

“Here.” Techno placed the slice of melon onto the plate next to the water bowl. “You better actually eat that, Gary, or Phil’s gonna complain that it’s goin’ to waste.”

The rabbit had taken a few bites but stopped at Techno’s words, thumping its back leg twice.

“Bruh… Do you really gotta be like that?” asked Techno, dropping his arms to his side as he realized what was happening. “You keep it up and I’ll let Phil turn you into stew.”

The rabbit butted its head against his leg again and then flopped onto its side. Techno smiled, shaking his head. Its ribs were still visible and it was still missing fur in places but most of the wounds had scabbed over.

“Alright, alright, you win.” He pulled the lever over the sink, listening to the chugging sound as the water was brought up, and washed his hands. “I don’t want to get bunny fur all over my hands.”

Picking the rabbit up, Techno went to sit in his chair. It settled in his lap and he reached for his book, flipping to the page he had marked. He pushed his glasses back onto his snout with one finger. The rabbit shifted and began chewing on the bottom of the page.

“Seriously, Gary? Why are you like this, man,” he said and held the book up a bit higher, out of the rabbit’s reach. He had lost his place, having to start over on the same paragraph. The rabbit tugged on the hem of his shirt for a moment before it rested its head onto its paws. An exasperated grin tugged at the corner of Techno’s mouth.

The rabbit was feeling more like itself.

It liked when the pigman would groan and roll his eyes and tease him.

(The voice caught the slip up and ignored it, pushing it down as far as it could.)

It was familiar.

The rabbit wasn’t supposed to think that, either, but it did. Laying in the pigman’s lap, it felt safe and it was warm. That was what mattered.

Chapter Text

He had lost track of time.

It was the fading light and the fact that Techno hadn’t processed the past few sentences. Out the window, the snow had been painted with the orange of the sunset. Groaning, Techno stretched, about to move the rabbit from his lap when the sound of voices carried across the yard.

The rabbit jerked awake, scrambling in his lap and falling to the floor.

“What the heck—”

Its hind legs slipped a few times before it found purchase and darted beneath the bookshelf. Techno put his book to the side, not bothering to mark his page this time. The rabbit was skittish but he had never seen it react this way before. He got to his feet, thinking to pull it out and see if he could calm it down, but there was a knock on the door.

“Hey, Techno, mate,” said Phil, stepping inside. Behind him was the tall, lanky figure of Ranboo. “Sorry for stopping by so late.”

“Hullo, Phil,” he said, straightening and taking one last look towards the bookshelf. “Hullo, Ranboo.”

The half enderman had to duck to step through the doorway, the ceiling in the cabin low enough that he hunched over awkwardly.

“Oh, hey, Techno. How’s it going?”

There was nervousness in the way Ranboo held their hands in front of them, twisting together. His tail flicked back and forth.

“Well, it looks like it’s goin’ better than your day. Is everything alright?”

“Oh boy, um, well, it’s just that there’s been a bit of bad news, so you know. Just a little stressed,” Ranboo said.

Techno leaned against one of the barrels, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Bad news? What kind of bad news?”

Phil glanced at them and then back to Techno.

“Dream apparently fucking escaped,” he said, “which explains why Sam didn’t let you visit him and why that lot was all worked up.”

“Huh.” Shifting, Techno resisted the urge to look towards the bookshelf once more. “Are you thinkin’ that’s why Quackity was up here, askin’ about whether I’ve talked to Dream?”

“Probably,” said Phil with a shrug. “Seems like they’re doing everything they can to keep it quiet. I doubt they want people realizing they’ve fucked up so badly to let the biggest threat on the server escape.”

Ranboo let out a shaky laugh.

“Yeaaaaah. Well, uh, I’m going to be staying up here for a little bit. You know, just in case. Not that I’m worried, but.” The wind ran out of Ranboo’s sails and his shoulders sagged. “Yeah.”

“Of course, of course,” Techno said.

“Well, I thought I should let you know and I have so. I’ll get going then.” They gave a small wave before backing out of the cabin. “Thanks for walking with me, Phil. See you, Techno.”

“Bye, mate.”

“Bye.”

Once the door had closed, Techno moved to sit in his chair with a deep sigh.

“You alright mate?”

There was a beat as Techno considered what his answer would be, how much he was going to share with Phil. He would share everything eventually but not right now. Not until he was able to piece it all together.

“Pfft, I’m fine, Phil, you know me.”

“Hn. Yeah,” he said, nodding. “I know. This is a whole mess, isn’t it?”

“Honestly, Phil, I’m just happy I’m not gonna have to break into that prison anytime soon. I was thinkin’ that I’d have to.”

Phil laughed, shaking his head.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t fancy having to do that, either.” He paused and looked towards the window. “If I happen to see you know who, should I tell you?”

Techno followed Phil’s gaze.

“Probably a good idea,” he said.

The cabin was quiet.

Techno hadn’t picked up his book again after Ranboo and Phil had left. His mind was wandering, going over everything that had happened and then jumping to the next thing. The sun had gone down and the fire had gotten lower. Getting up, Techno put another couple logs on and then brushed his hands off on his pants. The door was still unlocked – he almost always kept it that way these days – and he moved to drop the wooden plank across it.

“Alright, man, they’re all gone, you can come out now,” he said, eyes on the bottom of the bookshelf. There was no movement. He frowned. “C’mon, don’t tell me you’re gonna hide under there all night, Gary.”

He heard the sound of movement under the bookshelf and sat down with a groan.

“Seriously, there’s no way I’m gonna get down there and pull you out.”

The rabbit poked its head halfway out, eyes close to bulging out of the sockets.

“That’s it,” said Techno softly. He could smell fear in the air and even half hidden, he could see how badly the rabbit was shaking. “Y’know, Ranboo’s a friend. Heck, he even has a pet rabbit, he’s not gonna eat you or anythin’.”

The rabbit didn’t move; it didn’t come out any farther but it didn’t retreat either and Techno would count that as a win.

“Alright, speakin’ of, I’m gonna make somethin’ to eat.” Standing, Techno made sure to give the bookshelf a wide berth, just in case. “I’ll boil you up some beets unless you have a preference.”

Techno put a pot on the stove, salting the water before slicing a few beets into it. There was no point in wasting more food. Every so often, he’d glance towards the entry way from the kitchen into the main room but there was nothing. Chewing on a piece of buttered bread, he mashed up the beets, adding a bit more salt.

He thought rabbits liked salt. Or maybe that was deer.

The beets fell into the bowl with a splat and Techno wrinkled his nose. It wasn’t particularly appetizing but he brought it into the other room and set it down in front of the rabbit before returning to his seat. Sniffing the bowl, the rabbit nudged it with its nose and then again, making the bowl tip slightly.

Techno gave a snort of amusement.

“Sorry man, if you don’t tell me what you want, you’re gettin’ mashed beets,” he said.

This time the rabbit pushed the rim of the bowl down with its nose, flipping the entire thing over, before immediately retreating underneath the bookshelf.

“I know you did that on purpose.” Techno pinched his snout and sighed. He should have seen that coming, should have known that’d be the result. “You’re lucky I don’t feel like crawlin’ under there, Gary.”

The pigman knew.

The rabbit was sure of that, less sure of what that meant for it.

It had carefully locked away parts of itself, parts that had been fractured, in a desperate bid to keep itself safe but now those hidden parts were seeping through. Seeping through and bringing with them memories of terror, of cigarettes stubbed out on its flesh, of metal tongs pulling each of its nails off.

The rabbit could remember laughter.

It could remember screaming and how that was something rabbits didn’t do, not unless the pain was so great or death was near.

But it had screamed and it had begged and rabbits didn’t talk.

The rabbit was confused.

The smell of mashed beetroot was still strong in the air even though the pigman had long since cleaned it up. There had been a twinge of guilt at spilling the food though mostly it had just felt perplexed.

Why had it done that? Why did the pigman seem to know it would do something like that? Why did he keep saying ‘Gary’ as if he knew that wasn’t the rabbit’s name?

Stop.

It wasn’t the rabbit’s name. That fact seemed to swell in its chest, making its heart pound and its head dizzy.

Don’t, it thought.

It could be the rabbit’s name and then it wouldn’t have to scream again.

I can’t hide forever, came another voice and the rabbit tried to shake it away but the words clung to its fur and wormed their way into its ears and the rabbit knew it was true.

If the hunted stayed hidden in the same spot, eventually the fox would dig it out or the hunters would smoke it out and then it would be captured and they would make it scream. That much the rabbit knew for certain.

But for now it was tired and if it crawled out from its hiding place, the pigman would scoop it up and let it sleep on a pillow next to the bed and the rabbit could Dream, just for a little while.

It had taken the rabbit longer to come out than Techno had thought. The earlier visit from Ranboo and Phil had really spooked it, worse than he had seen and the rabbit was easily spooked. But it had come out eventually, right as he was starting to nod off, and as soon as it did, he picked it up. The rabbit kicked its back legs out of instinct, calming down after a few seconds.

“Easy, easy,” he said, holding it with one hand, tucked up slightly under his arm like he would hold a loaf of bread. “One of these days you’re gonna make me drop you and I’m pretty sure bunnies don’t land on their feet.” 

As soon as he was up the ladder, Techno set the bunny down on the pile of blankets. It pawed the blankets with its front feet before flopping onto its side. Techno shook his head. Next to the bed was a small leather bag and he pulled out a mint leaf. Popping it into his mouth, he grabbed another and held it out to the rabbit.

“Here, if you’re gonna sleep up here, I don’t want to be smellin’ your stinky rabbit breath,” said Techno.

The rabbit pushed forward with its paws and yawned, mouth wide open. The broken teeth were clearly visible. Its nose wiggled to the side before biting the leaf. It disappeared into the rabbit’s mouth within in seconds.

“Yeah, that’s better, man.”

Techno yawned, not bothering to cover his mouth.

“I don’t know about you but I’m exhausted.”

As if to answer, the rabbit jumped up, legs kicking out sporadically, and spun in a tight circle. It jumped up one more time and then laid back down. Techno stared at if for a moment before shaking his head.

“You’re a strange little thing, I hope you know that,” he said.

The rabbit moved its front paws as if it was digging though nothing happened. Blankets were not diggable though that didn’t seem to stop the rabbit.

“I’m thinkin’ I like you better as a bunny, not gonna lie.”

The words were out of Techno’s mouth before he realized what he was saying.

Immediately the rabbit stopped its digging, ears flat against its back, and stared at him. Not even its nose moved and Techno had to look closely to make certain it was still breathing.

“I mean, what, ha ha ha,” said Techno, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. There was part of him that knew why he had said that, the thought slipping out on instinct, and then there was part of him that couldn’t believe he’d even entertain the idea. “I used to know a guy named Gary, that’s all, I’m just mixin’ the two of you up.”

The rabbit kept staring at him. Techno could feel sweat begin to bead on his temple.

“He was a snail. Y’know, real slimy guy so you’re a step up, that’s all I meant.”

If the rabbit believed him, Techno couldn’t tell, but it stopped staring and rested its head on its paws, eyes half closed. In the back of his mind, the voices pointed out that it was a rabbit, it couldn’t understand his words, let alone believe them or not.

He knew that.

And laying down, Techno also knew that there was more to the situation than met the eye. He reached over and scratched the rabbit on the head, feeling it shake as it pressed its nose against his fingers. The whiskers were scraggly and singed on the ends and Techno thought about the circular burns on the rabbit’s skin.

When he had first found the rabbit, he couldn’t understand who would do something like this to a defenseless animal, who could torture it. But now he thought he had an idea of why, of who, and those reasons didn’t make him feel any better. If anything, they made the situation more complicated, made him wonder if he was doing the right thing.

Next to him, the rabbit twitched in its sleep, trembling, legs moving as if it was trying to get away from whatever was haunting its dreams. The terror was clear; whatever else was going on, the fear and scars that littered the rabbit’s pelt were real and Techno had brought the rabbit home.

He owed it that much.

Chapter Text

Sunlight filtered in through the small windows and Techno scrunched his face up, keeping his eyes firmly closed. He didn’t want to get up, not yet. He was long due for a nice month long nap but things kept happening and interrupting his sleep. A strong gust of wind blew in over the tundra, whistling against the chimney and bringing with it a cold draft. He shivered and buried himself deeper in the blankets.

The rabbit had the right idea, he thought. It had tucked itself up under part of a pillow, resting its head on the blanket he was using. At the start of the night, the rabbit had been on the other side of the bed, as far away as possible, and now it was right next to him, breathing steady.

Techno thought that was an improvement.

He yawned and stretched his arms out over his head, fingertips brushing against the wood of the ceiling. As much as he wanted to stay in bed, there were things he needed to get done today. Sitting up, Techno watched as the rabbit lifted its head and began sniffing around.

“You better not do what I think you’re about to do,” he said, grabbing a clean shirt from the dresser and pulling it over his head. “I draw the line at you poopin’ in my bed.”

The rabbit thumped its hind legs.

“I mean, just look, you’ve already got dirt on my nice clean blankets.” Techno brushed away some of the dirt. He had done his best to clean the rabbit’s wounds but it still had clumps of matted fur and dirt in places. “I’m thinkin’ I need to give you a bath.”

Another thump of the rabbit’s hind legs, this time harder. If a rabbit could frown, then this one would have been giving him a death glare. Techno laughed.

“Listen, Gary, if you’re gonna keep sleepin’ in my bed and eatin’ my food and chewin’ on my stuff, then you’re at least gonna do it without trackin’ dirt everywhere,” he said, smoothing the rabbit’s ears back before picking it up. “Even you can’t argue with that.”

The rabbit could argue.

There was a memory, of sometime long ago, of someone else, and an argument that was full of laughter. It was a good memory, though not a clear one, and it made the rabbit feel a sort of emptiness in its stomach that wasn’t caused by hunger.

It could argue and it thought that the pigman wanted it to argue.

Because just like there was an emptiness in the rabbit’s stomach, there was a hopeful sadness in the pigman’s voice when he spoke to it, a gentle prodding, as if he was waiting for something, looking for something he knew was there but the rabbit didn’t know what.

You do know what, it thought and it did but that thought was cut thankfully short by the uncomfortable jostling of the pigman climbing down the ladder while holding the rabbit.

It liked the soft the blankets and smell of wool but hated the feeling off falling that came with going up and down the ladder. It resisted the urge to struggle. As long as it stayed still, the pigman wouldn’t drop it. The rabbit could trust him that much.

The bath, however, it did not trust and decided that it would bite him the next time the subject was brought up, just to make sure the pigman knew the rabbit’s stance on the whole thing. The rabbit thought the pigman would understand.

Techno dug around in the kitchen cabinets until he found one of the large mixing bowls he rarely used unless he was making multiple loaves of bread. It was the right size for the rabbit; large enough that it would fit completely but not deep enough he had to risk it drowning to get it cleaned up. Pulling the lever, he held his hand under the running water and waited for it to get warm, heated by magma blocks in a complicated system Phil had created.

He filled the bowl and set it on the kitchen table next to the towel and the bar of soap. Techno had wavered on the soap, not sure how safe it was for rabbits, but had decided that since it was made of vegetable fat and tree resin, there shouldn’t be a problem. One of the foxes had eaten a whole bar once and the only thing that had happened was it inexplicably smelled worse for the next day.

“Alright, man,” he said as he picked the rabbit up, “time for your bath.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the rabbit bit him.

Techno had been kind of expecting it, if he was honest.

The bite wasn’t hard, an expression of mild annoyance more than anything else, and he shook his head. In his arms, the rabbit shook and nudged the hand it had just bitten. With a sigh, he stroked its back.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let your head go under the water, alright?”

Carefully, he lowered the rabbit into the bowl and began washing it. The water plastered its fur to its skin and that made it look all the more emaciated. That was the right word for it; the rabbit was emaciated, had been starved to the point its body was barely as wide as Techno’s wrist. And now that the fur was wet, more of the scarring was visible, old scars that had healed and faded slightly. Techno frowned, chest tight. The rabbit had been brutalized and he did his best to gently rinse the soap off.

Once it was clean, he wrapped it up in the towel, not even attempting to pat it dry for fear of hurting it, as he walked back into the main room. The fire was still going, flames licking at the new logs he had put on in the morning, and he pulled the basket right in front of it.

“You just sit right here and dry off, I’ve got somethin’ I need to find,” said Techno, rubbing the towel on the rabbit’s head real quick, wanting things to go back to the way they were, to stop thinking of what had been done. He cleared his throat. “Y’know, real important stuff. Alright, man?”

The rabbit stared at him with what Techno could only describe as suspicion and he waved his hand in its direction before he began digging through the various chests and barrels. His organization had never been great but the supplies he used often were easier to find. What he was looking for now, however, wasn’t something he had a lot of use for.

“Where the heck is my sewin’ kit,” he muttered to himself. The last time he had sewn had sewn anything was the hem of his pants that one of the dogs had decided to play tug of war with. He shut the chest with a long, drawn out sigh before grabbing a box off the top shelf. A piece of yarn was dangling from it and Techno had a good feeling about it. “There we go.”

Inside the box was a bunch of scrap fabric, half used balls of yarn, a broken knitting needle, and some lengths of ribbon. Techno selected the two nicest pieces he could find, regardless of color, and shoved the box back onto the shelf.

“See, I knew I’d find what I was lookin’ for eventually.” With an exaggerated groan, he sat down on the hearth next to the rabbit. “We’ve got you all cleaned up so I thought this would be a nice touch.”

Part of Techno had expected the rabbit to struggle or bite him or run away but instead it sat completely still, staring right at him, the suspicion replaced by utter annoyance. Its nose twitched once. Carefully, Techno tied a bow at the base of the rabbit’s ear, not too tight, and then did the same for the other ear. The ribbons were mismatched, one pink and the other white. Techno grinned.

“Aw, look at the cute lil’ bunny rabbit,” said Techno, trying to keep a straight face and failing miserably. The rabbit stomped both its hind legs, still staring at him. “Don’t you look adorable? I gotta say, Gary, this is a good look for you.”

The rabbit stomped its hind legs again and began chewing on the rim of the wicker basket. It hadn’t looked away from him, not once. Techno laughed, pushing himself up off the floor and into the chair.

“Listen, I think this is only fair, alright? I mean, I’ve been cleanin’ up after you and feedin’ you and may I remind you that you’ve bitten me, like, twice.”

The rabbit paused in its chewing, one ear twitching back as if it was considering his point. After a moment, it laid down, breathing even as it began to drift off.

“Y’know, it’s real creepy that you sleep with your eyes open, man, just sayin’.”

The rabbit tugged on the towel, pushing it into the desired position before it lowered its head, eyes closed this time. Techno gave a snort of amusement.

“Thanks, man.”

The rabbit could have pulled the ribbons off. It had gotten burrs stuck before and had used its paws to clean itself. There was no real reason it couldn’t do so now other than it just didn’t feel like it. Part of it liked when the pigman gave it attention, liked when his tone was teasing and there was laughter beneath the words.

It made the missing piece ache in its chest lessen and while this piece didn’t quite fit, it was good enough for now.

So it kept the ribbons on because the pigman would grin each time he looked at the rabbit and he was right, it seemed only fair.

Chapter Text

Loud knocking sounded at the door to the cabin, forceful enough that it rattled the windows and lantern that hung by the door, insistent enough that it made Techno jump. He almost dropped the bowl, scrambling to catch it before setting it into the sink. There was another set of three knocks and Techno winced. He was never fond of visitors but certainly not those that sounded rude just from their knocking.

He was about to call out, tell them he was coming, when the person at the door shouted.

“Techno! Open up, now.”

Techno groaned. It was his luck that Sam was the one who decided to visit. On his way towards the door, he stopped to slip a potion into his pocket, just in case.

“I’m comin’, I’m comin’,” he said and then pulled the door open. Sam’s form filled the doorway almost entirely but behind him Techno could see both Quackity and Antfrost. “Y’know, Sam, it’s awfully rude to come unannounced and then be impatient about it. I was in the middle of cleanin’.”

“This is important,” said Sam, putting his trident down obstinately to lean on it but Techno didn’t miss how the placement would mean he couldn’t close the door. “Have you seen Dream?”

“Heh?” Techno tilted his head in confusion that was partially real. “Didn’t you just tell me the other day there’s not visitors allowed? How the heck would I see him if you didn’t let me in?”

Sam narrowed his eyes.

“You know what I’m talking about, Techno, don’t play dumb. Where is he?”

“Y’know, as embarrassin’ as it is, Sam, I’m not playin’ dumb,” Techno said, with a shrug. “I really have no idea what you’re talkin’ about. Last I heard, Dream was locked up in your prison.”

From behind him, Quackity tapped Sam’s arm, pushing him to the side and stepping into view.

“Fellas, fellas, no need to be hostile here. We’re all on the same side,” he said, his smile wide. “I’m sure you wouldn’t willingly shelter someone like Dream but who knows what he’d do. I wouldn’t put it past him to be using your house without you knowing. So how about we just come in and take a look around?”

He could say no and he could excuse it by saying that he didn’t want them in his home, didn’t trust Quackity after what had happened the last time the other man had brought a group of people to his home. It would have been acceptable but it would leave them suspicious of him and Techno knew that they would return.

He scratched the side of his face.

He needed to shave.

He needed to buy a few more seconds of time because he had heard the sound of the rabbit’s soft footfalls and that ridiculous, impossible thought at the back of his head wouldn’t leave him. Slapping the doorframe, Techno sighed and stepped aside.

“Sure, sure,” said Techno, gesturing to the inside of the cabin. “Just don’t make a mess and if I see Quackity there even look at one of my animals, we’re gonna have problems.”

The smile was still on his face but the laugh Quackity gave was full of nervousness.

“Look, that’s in the past,” he said. “It was a whole misunderstanding.”

Techno snorted.

“Right, right, and the execution, that was a misunderstandin’ as well.”

“Enough,” snapped Sam. “Quackity, either focus on what we came here for or go outside. You’re getting in the way.”

Quackity held Techno’s gaze for a moment, silent, and then looked away.

It was uncomfortable, watching people look through his home and doing nothing to stop them. Techno was used to people coming and going – Tommy had done exactly what Quackity implied Dream might do and lived under his home without him knowing – but it wasn’t the same. If someone came looking for shelter or food, Techno didn’t mind. He would grumble about it, sure, but he would never stop them.

Now, he wanted to stop them and couldn’t.

“I don’t think he’s here, Sam.” The top of Ant’s head popped up from the basement, pausing for a moment before climbing the rest of the way up the ladder. “There’s nothing, even at the lowest levels. I couldn’t find anything.”

Sam turned to Techno, his grip tight on his trident and disappointment clear on his face.

“If we find out you’ve been sheltering him, you’ll end up in that prison as well,” he said as he stepped out onto the porch. The others followed after him. “And if you hear anything, you tell us first, do you understand? No one else.”

Putting his hand on the door, Techno gave a cold smile.

“Oh, I understand, Sam, don’t you worry.”

Techno paced back and forth.

He had already searched the entire cabin from top to bottom and knew the rabbit wasn’t inside. The kitchen window, not visible from the front door, had been pushed open, the latch broken. He would have to fix it later – not that it had been very secure to begin with – but right now he was waiting. Waiting to make sure that Sam and Quackity had left and weren’t lurking around his property.

Following them would have been too obvious but he was starting to regret not risking it.

The longer he waited, the less of a chance he had to find the rabbit.

“Dang it,” he muttered and pulled on his cloak.

There was no sign of his earlier visitors and Techno breathed a sigh of relief as he rounded the side of the cabin to stand under the kitchen window. It was a high drop for a small rabbit but the ground beneath was covered in snow. He could smell the rabbit’s scent even before he saw its tracks in the snow.

“This might actually be easier than I thought,” said Techno, following the trail with his eyes. It led towards the edge of the yard.

As he walked, Techno kept an eye out for signs of unwanted visitors or signs that the rabbit had been injured but there was nothing, no strange foot prints, no blood in the snow. When he reached the fence, he saw that the tracks went under and into the forest. He cursed silently.

Tracking a rabbit in the snow was easy; the prints were clear and snow didn’t hold a scent as long as dirt and leaves and grass did, there was less to muddy the scent. He rubbed his chin, thinking, before hopping over the fence, not wanting to risk losing the spot the rabbit had entered at.

The ground was muddy in places where the sunlight filtered through the tree branches, snow in places where it had been blown in or dropped from sagging branches. Techno followed, relying mostly on scent, as the rabbit’s paw prints had become more sporadic. Then the smell of blood hit Techno’s nose and he froze.

It was the rabbit’s blood, he knew that, but there was another smell that was familiar, that of a fox.

Frowning, Techno tried to keep his heart from beating too fast, to keep the worry from building up. He knew how this went; foxes killed rabbits. That was nature. He crouched down and touched a spatter of blood. It was still sticky though no longer warm. The ground had been greatly disturbed. Pieces of fawn colored fur were stuck to a nearby bush.

A bit of orange caught Techno’s eye and he plucked it from the moss. It was fox fur. He grinned. Whatever had happened, the bunny had at least gotten one good hit in.

His eyes followed the area that had been disturbed as it moved off and Techno thought about calling out. But rabbits couldn’t speak, so what would be the point?

He got to his feet and continued walking.

Once, he lost the trail and had to double back. It was the scent of fresh blood that pointed him in the right direction. The area on the ground that had been disturbed was wider now, some of the depressions in the soft dirt deeper than he’d expect. Like something bigger had been there but the only scents Techno was picking up were that of the rabbit and the fox.

“What the heck…”

Up ahead, there was a rock outcropping and even from this distance, Techno could see the smear of red on the rock. His pace quickened, trying not to think about how the blood had gotten where it was, a few feet off the ground, and knelt.

Immediately, Techno understood how the blood had gotten where it did, why the disturbance had gotten bigger as it went on.

Under the shelter the rock created, was the figure of a person, curled up into a tight ball.

Even if he hadn’t smelled the same as the rabbit, Techno would have known this person and the rabbit were one in the same. The ears were the same, the same notches taken out, one half missing, though larger and sticking out from a mop of hair the same color as his fur. Fur lightly covered his arms, ending in what seemed to be human hands though clearly missing one finger on each hand. His legs, however, were almost completely covered in fur and looked more like a rabbit’s. There was a triangle shaped tail, fluffy white fur matted with dirt, at the small of his back.

None of this was a strange sight to Techno –  he was the same, a mix of human and animal features – but what was strange was the realization that came with the sight.

That ridiculous, nagging thought in the back of his mind had been right all along.

Carefully, Techno pressed his fingers to rabbit man’s neck. It was sticky with blood and he could see bite marks tearing the skin. The pulse was weak and thready. Techno pulled off his cloak, covering him as best he could, and picked him up. He weighed almost nothing and it threw Techno’s balance off. Catching himself on the rock with his shoulder, Techno readjusted his grip before getting to his feet.

“Alright,” he said, “let’s get you home.”

Chapter Text

Techno had made the decision to throw the rabbit man over his shoulder and climb up the ladder, to bring him up to the bedroom. It had been a rational choice, really, to avoid someone like Phil or Ranboo walking in and seeing a strange man but it had been a struggle to get up there without hurting him.

The injuries from the fox attack were bad enough and when you added the fact that a lot of his previous wounds were just barely healing, it made the situation more dire. Most of the new injuries were focused on the neck area, puncture wounds on the back and a few jagged tears on the shoulder.

He poured a bit of healing potion on the wounds, watching the flesh knit back together. Then he cleaned up the blood as best he could. Techno sat back, one leg pulled up and resting his arm on his knee, and sighed.

The man looked half dead. Techno had thought it was bad when he was a rabbit but somehow this was worse. His skin was pale and clammy, his ribs jutted out, and every inch of skin that was visible seemed to have a scar or slowly healing cut or burn. He had been tortured, a thought that Techno had from the very beginning, but hadn’t let linger because who tortured a rabbit?

A man, however, that made sense.

Especially considerin’ who he is, thought Techno and then, immediately, Don’t know that for sure.

Which was true, he didn’t know for certain but he could make an educated guess. The man shifted, ears twitching and one leg jerking as if he was trying to get away from something. Techno recognized the signs of a nightmare, had seen the rabbit panic in its sleep, had had plenty of his own nightmares. He scooted forward a little.

“Easy,” he said, touch soft as he placed his hand on the man’s shoulder.

The man’s eyes flew open – a vibrant green that erased all doubts from Techno’s mind – and scrambled back as best he could, pressing himself between the wall and a barrel. He was trembling, rabbit-like nose moving constantly.

“Easy, man, I’m not gonna hurt you.” Techno held up his hands. “See? It’s just me. You know I’m not gonna hurt you, right?”

There was no answer. His eyes darted around the room.

“C’mon, would I do anythin’ to you? Heck, you’ve been chewin’ up all my books and the legs of my chair and I haven’t kicked you out yet,” he said.

The only answer this time was an annoyed flick of his ear and a frown.

“Are you just not gonna talk?”

He stared at Techno and then nodded once, the movement barely perceptible.

Techno watched him for a moment.

“Is there a reason for that?” he asked but this time, as he spoke, he moved his fingers.

Green eyes widened slightly and Techno knew that he understood. That was good, that was something he could use if things were as bad as he was starting to fear they were.

“Can’t,” came the answer, signed back to him quickly.

“Yeah, that’s not really a reason, man. Like, can’t because you physically can’t or can’t because you know if you start talkin’, I’m gonna recognize your voice.”

His face paled and he shrank back against the wall even farther, as if he was trying to disappear into the wood.

“Yeah,” said Techno, “I kinda thought that was it.”

Silence settled on the room as Techno leaned back, doing his best to keep his movements slow. Quick movements were more likely to startle wild animals and he might as well have been dealing with one. You hurt a man badly enough and often enough, and that’s what he would become. Techno knew that well. He had been there before.

Techno waited until he seemed calmer, until his chest stopped rising and falling rapidly, until he wasn’t shaking as badly, before he spoke again.

“Look, I’m not gonna tell anyone and I’ll keep callin’ you Gary.” At the name, his ears folded back and his nose twitched. Techno snorted. “Yeah, yeah, but what I’m sayin’ is, it’s fine. I just need to know two things, alright?”

He stared at Techno, waiting.

“You are who I think you are, right?” he asked.

This time the nod was merely the slightest incline of his head. If Techno hadn’t been watching for it, he would have missed it.

The acknowledgement somehow made everything worse. The fear, the silence, the way he cowered. Techno hadn’t known Dream, not really, but what he did know wasn’t this. His chest felt tight.

“Did Sam and Quackity do all this to you?”

Dream looked at him and then away, expression blank. He didn’t give an answer but Techno didn’t need one. Who else would it have been? Why else were they trying to keep Dream’s escape covered up if not because they didn’t want everyone knowing what they had done to him?

Techno wondered if that was even necessary, if anyone would have cared in the first place.

“Alright, let’s get you some clothes,” he said and began rifling through his drawers. Dream was shorter than Techno remembered, by almost a foot, and combined with how much weight he had lost, Techno didn’t think much of anything would fit him. He finally settled on shirt that was long with a round neckline that Techno could barely fit his head through. At least it wouldn’t slip off Dream’s shoulders. He held it out. “Here you go.”

Holding it, Dream ran his fingers over the fabric and looked back to Techno, as if he wasn’t sure what to do with it, rabbit thoughts too loud in his mind.

“Go on, I’m not lookin’,” said Techno, completely misreading the reason for the hesitation.

Dream tugged the shirt over his head, struggling a bit when his ears caught on the collar. The sleeves were long, almost covering his hands, and if he stood up the shirt would’ve gone down to his thighs. He pulled at the hem awkwardly, not sure what he was supposed to do now.

“You done?” Techno asked. After a beat, he realized that if he wasn’t looking, he wouldn’t know whether or not Dream was answering. He looked back and judging by the expression on Dream’s face, he had come to the same conclusion. “We’re just not gonna talk about that, alright? Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to get some sleep.”

With a sigh, Techno laid down, shifting his pillow beneath his head, and waited to see what Dream would do. He hadn’t moved since putting on the shirt, sitting completely still. Techno gave a soft snort, the corner of his mouth curling upwards. After a long moment, Dream curled up in the corner and dragged one of the blankets up over himself.

“Just don’t chew on my blanket this time,” he said.

The only answer was a soft, annoyed thump.

Techno smiled.

Chapter Text

Techno had slept poorly because Dream had slept poorly, tossing and turning, waking up every so often to stare blankly. Sweat had plastered his hair to his face and his limbs and ears had twitched constantly, haunted by nightmares that Techno was glad he didn’t know the details of. Finally exhaustion had overtaken him, shoving him into a deeper, dreamless sleep, and Techno had fallen asleep as well.

Waking up, he was still tired and would have went back to sleep but when he rolled over, the shape of Dream under the blanket was gone. He pushed himself up, a slight panic rising in his chest, and began feeling the blankets. It took a moment but eventually his hand hit a lump. A distinctly rabbit shaped lump. He pulled the blanket back. The rabbit was lying on its side, breathing shallow and erratic, and as soon as it was uncovered, its eyes opened.

“Easy, I was afraid you had ran off,” said Techno. “You ought to be careful, I don’t want to roll over and squish you.”

The rabbit straightened itself, pushing back with its front paws, and looked at Techno before turning back to chew on the blanket. Techno’s shoulders sagged.

“Seriously, man? I know you’re doin’ that on purpose,” he said. Before, he had an inkling of the fact these things had been deliberate, but now knowing who the rabbit was, it put everything else into context. He rolled his eyes and tugged the blanket away. “C’mon, knock it off.”

The rabbit stopped but Techno had a feeling it wasn’t because he had asked but because it was exhausted. Blood still matted parts of its fur around its neck and shoulders. He reached out and stroked its nose. It pressed its head against his palm. Techno sighed, his smile soft.

“Alright, I’m gonna get dressed and then I’m gonna clean you up. Again.” He paused as the rabbit swiveled its ears towards him. “I know, I know, it wasn’t your fault, I’m just sayin’.”

The rabbit had known those voices, the ones that were at the door, and it knew it had to run. It had to get out of this cabin, just like it had done to get away from the prison of black stone. The pigman had taken his time to greet the visitors and in that time, the rabbit had darted into the kitchen. It knew there was a back door, through the bathroom, but it couldn’t get there, couldn’t open the door.

But it could hop up onto the chair and then onto the table and from there it could jump to the counter. Above the counter was a window, a small one made of oak that was held closed with a hook. It could open that. Its teeth, those that remained, were sharp. It bit at the closure, pushing it with its nose. On the second try, the latch popped open and the rabbit pushed itself out of the window.

The fall was high but the rabbit had fallen from higher. It hit the snow bank on its side then scrambled to its feet. Then it ran.

It ran as fast as it could, stumbling every few steps, away from the cabin and the voices that inspired fear in its chest.

If they caught it, they would hurt it again, would torture it again, and this time it might die. The rabbit knew that much, knew that it would be punished terribly.

Pressing itself to the ground, the rabbit slipped under the fence and into the woods. Part of it thought that it shouldn’t go too far, that it should stay near the cabin because the pigman was safe and someone it could trust. But instinct told it to keep running. 

The fox caught it off guard. It had been thinking too hard about what to do that it hadn’t smelled the fox until it was right on top of the rabbit. The rabbit spun, taking a turn as quickly as it could, paws skittering on the pine needles that covered the ground. Sharp teeth grazed its hind legs.

It felt as if its heart would burst.

It was tired, its vision blurred as it ran.

Once it would have been able to out race the fox without breaking a sweat, would have been able to keep running no matter how long it was hunted. That had been a game it had loved to play.

But now it was faltering already. Its body had been ruined and it stumbled, pitching nose first into the ground. Moments later the fox had its teeth around the rabbit’s neck. It kicked silently at the fox, hitting it in the stomach and side. The blows did little to loosen the fox’s hold. The rabbit kicked again then twisted its head to bite the fox on the nose.

The fox yelped, letting go.

The rabbit tried to get to its feet but couldn’t and it felt flesh tearing as the fox bit it once more.

You’re going to die, it thought and the voice in its head sounded like one of the voices that had scared it so badly it needed to flee, sounded like an old friend.

There was blood on the ground and its struggles were growing weaker.

Do you really want to die like this? Is this what you wanted?

No, the rabbit thought. This was never what it wanted. It had wanted things to stop smelling of death, to be how they were before, back when it could be chased and it would be just a game.

Then do something.

I’m trying, it thought, still struggling, the pool of blood growing.

You’re fucking pathetic. You know what you need to do.

It did know. It knew what it had to do and it knew that if it did so, it would have to stop being just the rabbit and be the thing in its dreams, full of pain and fear and anger.

The fox held on for a moment as the rabbit begin to change, shifting, limbs growing longer, the pelt of fur becoming skin. Then the fox let go; whatever it had sunk its teeth into was too big for it now, too big to be worth the risk of a fight. It gave another yelp and ran, tail tucked between its legs.

Dream lay on the ground, staring up at the tall spruce trees. Above them, the sky was bright blue and his breath came out in white puffs. He pressed a shaky hand to his neck. Warm blood pumped slowly through his fingers. If he didn’t do something, he was going to bleed to death.

Just move, he thought and thought nothing else as he turned on his side, beginning to drag himself across the ground.

When he woke up, he was still himself.

His thoughts were jumbled, a mix between rabbit thoughts and Dream thoughts, but the pain in his neck and shoulder had faded and he was warm and lying on something soft instead of stone and moss. The nightmare wasn’t what had woken him, however. It was the touch on his shoulder that had done and immediately he moved back, as far as he possibly could.

Techno had been looking at him with clear concern and he hated it. He didn’t want the sympathy, didn’t want the familiar look in Techno’s eyes, because he didn’t want to think.

He didn’t want to speak, either, because it had been so long since he spoke to someone who didn’t look at him like he was nothing but an animal whose will had to be broken, someone who didn’t pry the words out of him by force.

And Techno would recognize his voice.

Would he give him up, as soon as it became undeniable? Would Dream even blame him if he called Sam and Quackity back?

Dream didn’t answer but he didn’t need to; his fear had given him away.

The sympathy didn’t leave Techno’s face. If anything, it deepened, his voice softened, and when he asked if he was who he thought he was, Dream nodded.

Chapter Text

“I can’t believe you lost your ribbons,” said Techno, carefully drying off the rabbit’s fur. The wounds from the fox attack were still pink and ugly but they weren’t bleeding and they were healing. He was surprised the fox hadn’t broken one of its teeth, biting down; there was no meat on the rabbit, just flesh and bone. “Y’know, I put a lot of effort into makin’ those for you.”

The rabbit looked up at him, a mixture of disbelief and annoyance.

Techno shook his head with a grin.

In hindsight, it really had been obvious. It was Dream and he knew it but for some reason when he looked at the rabbit, he struggled to think ‘Dream’ and not ‘Gary the bunny’. Which might be a good thing. He was less likely to slip up and call him something he shouldn’t that way. But something about it didn’t sit right with him. Techno wasn’t sure why.

Maybe it was because he had seen the scars on Dream’s body, not just the burn marks and cuts, but how the word ‘monster’ had been carved into the sunken skin of his stomach. He had seen the burn on Dream’s shoulder in the shape of a coin with a smile in the middle and while he didn’t know what it meant, he knew a brand when he saw one.

Dream had been treated like an animal, like a monster, and Techno knew he had done monstrous things, he had seen the state Tommy was in, after all, but no one deserved to be tortured.

Absent mindedly, Techno reached out and smoothed the rabbit’s fur back. He could feel its spine beneath his touch, feel the way it trembled.

“It’s alright,” he said, “You’re safe now.”

Techno could only hope that would continue to be true.

“So what the hell did Sam and Quackity want?” asked Phil, one leg stretched out in front of him as he sat at the kitchen table. “Ranboo said he saw those two and Antfrost come around the other day.”

Techno froze as he was making the tea, back to Phil, and he glanced out the window. From here, he couldn’t see Ranboo’s mismatched home. He went back to filling the mugs, using a spoon to stir in some sugar. If Ranboo had seen them approach, it was possible he had seen the rabbit jump out the window or Techno coming back with a man wrapped up in his cloak. Techno put the spoon into the sink.

“Oh, y’know, the usual, ‘hey how you’ve been, where’s Dream, let us search your house or you’re goin’ to jail’,” he said, placing one of the mugs – blue with yellow flowers – in front of Phil. “I decided it wasn’t worth arguin’ over so I let them look around.”

“Really? Wouldn’t think you’d want those lot in your home, especially Quackity.”

“Trust me, Phil, I did not want them in here but I had a feelin’ they weren’t gonna take no for an answer so I just let them see for their selves I’m not harborin’ a fugitive.” Techno blew on his tea. “Seemed like the best idea.”

“I wonder how long it’s going to take until they find him,” said Phil, wrapping his hands around the mug. When he moved, his bandaged wings shifted. “I’m a bit surprised they haven’t already.”

“Hm.” Techno took a drink, not waiting for it to cool and burning his tongue in the process. “No idea.”

Phil raised an eyebrow. He knew his friend well, they had been through a lot together, and he knew that he was holding back. But Phil wasn’t one to pry, he wouldn’t call Techno out on the hesitation, he’d merely give him space and let him know that whatever it was, Phil would listen.

“I’m not really sure how I feel about that whole thing,” he said, tapping a finger against the mug. “Can’t say I like the guy much but he’s been locked up in that place for what, over a year?”

“Honestly, I didn’t keep track, I was just glad it wasn’t me or you,” Techno admitted. He had owed Dream and in an entire year, he hadn’t gone to check on him. He couldn’t have known what was being done to him, of course, but the guilt was there and it hadn’t faded. “Gotta say, though, I really didn’t like the way Sam and Quackity were talkin’.”

“What do you mean, mate?”

Shifting in his seat, Techno glanced around. The rabbit was lying in the basket, eyes open, ears flat against its skull. It hadn’t moved a muscle, not even to twitch its tattered whiskers.

“Ah, just somethin’ about prisoner enrichment but it didn’t sound good.”

“Quackity said that?” asked Phil, a frown on his face. “Yeah, I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t trust him an inch with that.”

“Yup,” said Techno, looking away from the rabbit and taking another drink of his tea. This one didn’t burn his tongue. “Had a real bad feelin’ about the whole thing.”

Phil took a long drink of his tea and rubbed a hand over his knee.

“You know where Dream is?”

Techno shook his head.

“Not a dang clue,” he lied. “Considerin’ this was the first place they looked, I don’t expect to see him around any time soon.”

Phil snorted into his tea. The last thing he would do is question whether or not Techno was telling him the truth. It was fifty-fifty, if he was honest, but Techno did had a point; this was clearly one of the first places that they looked and Dream was smarter than that.

“Yeah, you’re probably right, mate. Dream’s not a fucking idiot, at least, whatever else he might be,” he said.

“I mean, I wouldn’t go that far, Phil. He’s definitely an idiot.”

In the basket, the rabbit thumped its hind leg, causing the whole thing to wobble slightly.

Laughing at Techno’s assertion, Phil tipped his mug and swirled the tea inside. Bits of tea leaves had sunk to the bottom. He took another drink. It was sweeter now than it had been.

“I’ll take your word for that, mate.” He inclined his head towards the rabbit. It had settled back in the basket, sitting in a position that made it strongly resemble a loaf of bread, eyes closed. “How’s the mangy beast doing?”

The rabbit’s ear twitched.

“Oh, a fox got a hold of it the other day,” he said. “Gotta be honest, I didn’t think it was gonna make it but it’s one tough bunny.”

Giving a low whistle, Phil rocked his chair back, balancing it on two legs.

“How the hell did a fox get a hold of it? Was it one of yours?”

“Nah, my foxes are very well behaved, I’ll have you know,” said Techno. “It got out the day Sam and them stopped by and then I had to go track it down. It’s lucky it’s so dang cute or I would’ve let it be fox food.”

“You really are a sucker, mate. I definitely would’ve turned it into rabbit stew by this point.”

“Pfft. Look at it, there’s no meat on it, it’d be the worst stew ever.”

Phil’s laughter returned, louder now, and he slapped his leg in amusement.

“You’re not wrong,” he said. “If Sam and that lot come back, you can just tell them, no, can’t come in, otherwise you’ll scare the bunny rabbit.”

The smile that had been on Techno’s face faltered slightly and he started to take a sip of his tea before realizing that it had gone cold. He set the mug back down.

“Yeah, actually, I’d rather not tell anyone other than you about Gary here,” said Techno. “Y’know, just to be safe.”

It was an odd request, one that made suspicion prick at the back of Phil’s mind, but he didn’t say anything, waiting to see if there would be more, a reason for why the rabbit’s existence had to be kept secret. A few seconds of silence and Techno expanded upon it.

“I mean, after Quackity kidnapped Carl, I can’t put it past him.”

Phil nodded; it was a plausible explanation, based on something that had happened before, and he had no real reason to doubt it.

“Aw mate, you’re already that attached?” he asked.

“Look, Phil, it’s a cute bunny, alright.”

Outside, the wind howled. It was daytime still but the falling snow was so thick that it looked like it was night. The cabin was warm, the fire roaring, but the sound of the wind and the sight of snow storm outside the window made Techno shiver. He pulled the needle through the fabric, not really thinking about the pants he was hemming, the action repetitive and familiar.

He didn’t like lying to Phil. He didn’t like hiding things from Ranboo. There had been a time that Techno didn’t trust anyone and had kept secrets, both small and earth shattering, but that had changed and he didn’t want to go back to that.

Only problem was—

Only problem was, Techno had promised Dream that he was safe and telling anyone else, even his friends, meant that he couldn’t promise that, not anymore. He had no idea how they would react. Phil didn’t seem to like Dream much and he couldn’t blame him for that. Dream had done terrible things and that was the other problem.

Techno had done terrible things and he knew that terrible things had been done to Dream. Whatever the man had been before, whatever he had done, he wasn’t the same. That much was clear to Techno. He was barely a man.

In the past two days, not once had Dream shifted out of his rabbit form. Half the time, Techno didn’t think he knew that was an option. The rabbit wavered between pure animal instinct and behaviors to something like humanity. It was the teasing that got the most Dream like reaction.

And Techno thought that in and of itself was a very Dream thing to do.

The rabbit was busy attempting to burrow into the blanket that Techno had placed on the floor and getting no where, partly because it was impossible to burrow into a blanket that was spread out on a wood floor and partly because the rabbit still struggled to stand upright sometimes. It would stop and shudder every so often, eyes unfocused, and Techno knew it was in pain. Even on a rabbit the expression was easy to read.

“I’m thinkin’ I ought to knit you a sweater or somethin’,” he said as the rabbit attempted to drag the blanket closer to the fireplace. “I mean, if you’re always cold, it might be a good idea.”

The rabbit stopped and turned its head towards him, slowly.

“Look, you’re about to burn down my dang cabin, I think I’m well within my rights to suggest an alternative here, Gary.”

The rabbit flopped onto its side.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re gonna bite me the next time I pick you up, I already know that.” Techno groaned, stretching out as best he could while still sitting. “Y’know, you don’t have to stay like that the entire time. It’s just us.”

There was no reaction from the rabbit. It had closed its eyes and was resting its head on its paws. That was what worried Techno. Dream seemed entirely too content to stay like this.

“Alright, man, suit yourself. I mean, I’d kinda think it’s embarrassin’, havin’ someone clean up after you all the time,” he said.

The ear that was half gone twitched, standing up straight while the other ear was flat. Techno snorted, a grin on his face.

“Is that the bunny form of givin’ me the finger? You’re ridiculous, Gary.”

It laid its ear back down and opened its eyes just slightly.

Eventually, Techno would find the right button to press and Dream would get fed up and explode the same way he had done that day Techno had teased him about being homeless. The memory of that day was a good one, despite the reason for it. He had enjoyed being able to make Dream, the man almost all of the server was afraid of, who hid his face behind a mask, lose his cool. No matter how the others saw him, he was just a person.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Techno broke the thread with his teeth and tied it off. “Just remember, I can make you homeless again.”

The rabbit lifted its head and stomped both of its front feet, almost slipping as it did so. Its nose worked furiously.

Techno let out a booming laugh.

It startled the rabbit and the rabbit jumped, darting away wildly and sliding on the wood floor without nails to grip. It slid into one of the chests. Immediately, Techno stopped laughing and stood. He bent to pick up the rabbit but it struggled to get away from him.

“Easy, man, easy,” he said softly. “I’m not gonna hurt you. You know that, right? I didn’t mean to scare you, alright? C’mon.”

The rabbit had stopped moving, eyes bulging and chest moving rapidly. Slowly, gently, Techno picked it up and held it close to his chest. He stroked its fur as he sat back down.

Rocking in the chair, Techno stared at the fire, watching the flames lick the logs. That reaction had been unexpected. It had been all animal, no trace of the man that was inside, merely instinct to a sudden loud noise. If Techno was to help him, he would have to find a way to break through whatever wall Dream had built to keep himself safe.

Part of him wondered why he would go through all that effort. He owed Dream, yes, but sheltering him from Sam and Quackity was enough, wasn’t it? He didn’t need to play therapist, he wasn’t sure he be any good at it.

But Techno had been here before, had been closed off from the world, had been carrying trauma that no one else saw. He knew what it was like and he couldn’t leave Dream to deal with it by himself. Techno knew he had been lucky to find those who would help him, those he could lean on. Dream didn’t have that.

Techno thought he deserved to.

He sighed, rubbing the rabbit’s tattered ears.

“Don’t worry, alright, Dream? It’s gonna be okay, it just takes some time, that’s all,” he said. “And I guess for right now, you’re not homeless.”

The rabbit bit him, barely any force behind the action, and Techno smiled, shaking his head.

“You’re too predictable, man.”

The rabbit knew the jokes. Dream knew the jokes.

It had been expecting laughter but when the laughter came, all it could think of was the loud grinding of pistons, the thud of obsidian meeting obsidian, and panic had pierced its heart. The memory of the same panic, when it was a dream, came back and the rabbit could taste the bile in its mouth.

(He had thrown up, once, when Quackity came for his daily session. Barely recovered from the day before, entire body sore, and the fear had been so overwhelming that he had spilled the contents of his stomach on the floor: water and tiny scraps of potato and blood. Quackity had called him disgusting and crushed his face into the vomit with his boot and then Dream had gone somewhere else, somewhere in his mind, and when he came back, Quackity had left him on the floor, back a bloody, striped mess.)

Rabbits, however, couldn’t throw up and that’s why it wanted to stay a rabbit. If he was a rabbit and only a rabbit, there would be no more vomiting and no more thinking and it could sit on the pigman’s lap and sleep on the pillow.

It could have peace and wasn’t that what it had always dreamed of?

It’s not the same and you know it, came the thought.

Why isn’t it? Why can’t I stay here and have my peace?

And what about everyone else? What about the book and the red? You can’t just leave them.

Anger, white hot, burned in the rabbit’s chest.

Why not, he thought, the words hissing in his mind. They knew, they all knew, and they left me.

The other voice was silent for a long while and the rabbit felt a sense of satisfaction, pressing its nose into the crook of the pigman’s arm as he moved on to replacing buttons on a shirt.

When the voice returned, it was softer, sadder, and didn’t sound like it had before.

Techno didn’t know, it said. He wouldn’t have let it happen.

The sadness felt heavier now and it was glad it was just a rabbit because rabbits couldn’t cry, either. It began trembling, huddled into a ball.

But he didn’t come for me.

There was no answer from the other voice, that other part of him, because there was no answer that could be given. It was true, Techno hadn’t come, and the rabbit didn’t know how to reconcile that thought with the fact that Techno promised to keep it safe now.

The pigman rubbed his hand over its head, smoothing the fur back and murmuring soft words, the sewing forgotten for the moment.

The rabbit closed its eyes and tried to forget as well.

Chapter Text

Techno stared down at the pot. The water was boiling but he still wasn’t sure what he was making. It was difficult to find food for Gary. Rarely did the rabbit seem to want to eat and when it did, what it could eat was limited. The broken teeth and swollen jaw meant that anything hard was out and Phil’s experience rabbit sitting had taught them that potatoes were a no go.

Sighing, he turned back to the pantry and began looking through the various jars and burlap sacks. His eyes fell on a jar of dried split peas. It had a thin layer of dust on the top and probably hadn’t been used since he moved out to the arctic because who in their right mind liked peas. He grabbed the jar.

If the rabbit didn’t want to eat mashed peas, then Dream could tell him.

Once the peas were soft, he drained most of the water and began mashing them before finding the salt and pepper. He decided to add a little bit of butter as well to make it just a touch more palatable. It wouldn’t be good but it would be decent. Scooping some into a bowl, he placed it in front of the rabbit.

“There you go, man, eat up,” said Techno turning back to the stove, ready to finish making his own dinner. “You’re still skin and bones. You’re never gonna get better if you don’t eat.”

He heard the sound of the bowl being pushed around on the ground, almost tipping over and righting itself with a rattle. Techno stopped and looked up at the ceiling before looking over his shoulder. The rabbit did not look pleased.

“Look, if you want somethin’ better, speak up. I’m makin’ myself a nice roast chicken.” The oven had been on for awhile now and the chicken was beginning to get some color and Techno spooned some of the melted butter and juices over the skin. It smelled of rosemary and marjoram and lemon. “I’ll totally share, too, but I’m gonna have to draw the line at lettin’ a bunny sit at the table.”

The rabbit nudged the bowl of mashed peas with its nose, sniffed it, and then backed up slightly, ears back.

Techno snorted, shoulders lifting in a shrug.

“Up to you, man.”

The rabbit looked at him and back to the peas and then hopped out of the kitchen. With a grin, Techno shook his head and turned back to the stove. He might have fed the bunny mashed peas but for himself, Techno had decided to sauté some mushrooms, putting butter in the pan and letting it melt.

He was so focused on slicing the mushrooms and then making sure they were perfectly brown that when he heard the footsteps behind him, he didn’t turn to look. It wasn’t until the sound of one of the chairs scrapping against the floor that he paused with a frown.

Sitting at the table was Dream. He was hunched down in his seat, long ears folded back, painfully thin arms wrapped around himself. The clothes that Techno had fixed up for him and set out, just in case, had been pulled on in a hurry. His shirt had been misbuttoned and half tucked into the pants. But it was Dream and that’s what mattered.

“Oh I see how it is,” said Techno, shaking the pan back and forth over the heat, standing a bit to the side to be able to look at him better. “My special mashed peas aren’t good enough for you.”

Dream scrunched up his face, mouth pulled into a half frown.

“Special?” he signed. Even without speaking, the disbelief was clear; this was a joke at his expense and he knew it.

“Yeah, exactly, special. Look at ‘em, sittin’ on the floor, gettin’ cold.”

Looking at the bowl of peas on the floor, Dream rolled his eyes.

“Your special peas suck.”

“Alright, that’s it,” Techno said. He had just pulled out two plates but now feigned putting one back. “You’re not gettin’ any dinner.”

Dream flipped him off.

A retort was on the tip of Techno’s tongue but he stopped himself, realizing that mentioning Quackity and which fingers he did or didn’t cut off would be in extremely poor taste.

“You’re just lucky that I’m a good person who would never deny a guest food, I hope you know that, Dream.”

There was no answer other than a sobering of Dream’s expression, ears pressing down even further against his skull. His fingers picked absent mindedly at the cuff of his shirt. Techno frowned but didn’t press for a response. Opening the oven, he took a fork and pierced the chicken. Clear juices ran from it. Techno grabbed the oven mitts, pulling the pan out. 

“You haven’t been eatin’ a lot so I’m not gonna fill your plate up,” he said, beginning to slice the chicken and putting it on the plates. “I don’t want you gettin’ sick or anything.”

Dream nodded; even the little bits of food he had been fed as a rabbit had made his stomach turn uneasily. He wasn’t going to argue with Techno’s logic.

As soon as the plate was in front of him, he felt his stomach growl and tighten. He was starving and it had been so long since he’d eaten anything other than raw potatoes or the mashed foods that Techno had given him. But looking at the food, Dream felt an odd sense of anxiety. It had been given to him but how could he be certain he was allowed to eat it? What if this was some sort of trick or the food was drugged?

Neither was out of the realm of possibility, Dream knew that. He had learned many lessons the hard way. Glancing at Techno as subtly as he could, he watched the other man eat. The food had been cooked together so if it was drugged, then surely Techno wouldn’t be eating it.

Are you fucking listening to yourself right now, a voice in the back of his head said but he shook it away.

It was paranoia and it had served him well.

“C’mon, man. It’s gonna get cold,” said Techno. When there was still no answer, his expression softened. “You can eat, Dream, I’m not gonna snatch it away or anythin’ like that. Go on.”

Once he had been given explicit permission, he picked up the fork and knife. His hands shook and he couldn’t quite grip the utensils without them slipping. Frustration was growing and the third time the fork slipped from his grasp, Dream slammed it down.

Techno raised an eyebrow. He had been watching him struggle but had said nothing, knowing that pointing it out could make Dream feel worse. His pride was still there, even as a rabbit it had been obvious.

“Just use your fingers, man,” said Techno, doing his best to keep his voice casual and light.

A flash of anger crossed Dream’s face at the words but it was fleeting and he pushed the fork and knife to the side. He pulled a small piece from the chicken and then tore that piece in half before putting it in his mouth. His stomach didn’t revolt and he tore off another piece. The food he had eaten as a rabbit hadn’t tasted like this, it had been so long since he had food like this, and the thought made his chest ache. Dream ate another piece.

Techno watched Dream eat and pretended not to notice the tears in his eyes.

Any hesitation or doubts he had about helping him by lying to Phil were gone. It wasn’t just the obvious physical torture or the way he couldn’t speak, even now that Techno knew his identity, or how skittish he was but watching him be reduced to tears over food, there was no denying that he was broken. It took a lot of cruelty to do that to someone and Techno couldn’t let him go back to that. No matter what he had done, he didn’t deserve that, no one did.

Dream had stopped eating, wiping his hands on the borrowed clothes, and pushing the plate away from him.

“You done?” asked Techno.

He nodded and Techno wasn’t surprised. It was a lot more food than the half spoonfuls of mushy carrots or beets. Already there was sweat on Dream’s forehead. It’d take him awhile to get used to eating consistently again, Techno knew that. He was about to say as much when the sound of footsteps coming up the porch carried to the kitchen.

“Bruh.”

The door opened and Techno jumped to his feet, the voices in his head so loud in his panic that it made it hard to hear Phil calling to him. Techno glanced over to Dream, to tell him to hide or something, but Dream was gone and Gary the bunny rabbit was falling clumsily off the chair, tangled in the shirt. The rabbit hit the ground and sprinted past Phil, into the main room, and disappeared from sight.

Phil jumped back a little as he watched the rabbit slide a bit.

“What the hell was that about?” he asked, coming into the kitchen.

It took Techno a moment to compose himself.

“I don’t know what to tell you, Phil, you must be a terrible baby sitter,” he said. “I don’t think he likes you very much.”

“Damn rabbit has a vendetta against me, is that what you’re saying, mate?”

Techno laughed.

“Nah, if that rabbit had a vendetta against you, you’d know it. Y’know how many times he’s bitten me? Too many times, Phil, too many times.”

Shaking his head, Phil moved to sit in one of the chairs but paused. He frowned as he looked at the table.

“You have a guest over or something?”

He gestured to the two plates.

Inwardly, Techno groaned. The voices were divided between panic and repeating the letter ‘L’ over and over. He rubbed a hand over his snout.

“Oh, that was just—One of the dang dogs got up and licked my plate so I put it back outside and got a new plate, ha ha. That’s all.”

Phil stared at him with an eyebrow that was raised so high it had disappeared beneath his hat.

Techno cleared his throat nervously and clapped his hands together.

“Anyway! What’s up, Phil?” asked Techno.

There was a beat and then Phil spoke.

“I just wanted to give you a heads up that Sam and his lot have let the rest of the server know that Dream escaped. They’ve put up wanted posters and everything.”

That made Techno freeze, hand on the plate he was about to pick up.

“Heh? Posters? Does anyone even know what he looks like? He’s always wearin’ that dang mask,” he said, doing his best to keep his voice level.

“Nah, the idiots put a drawing of him with the mask on.” Phil gave a chuckle. “Not sure why because I’d figure that at least Sam knows what he looks like but maybe they learned from your wanted poster.”

“Oh god.” Groaning, Techno picked up the plate and scrapped it off into the bin. He could take it out to the composter later. “You would’ve thought not one of them had ever laid an eye on me, it was that bad.”

“I can’t draw for shit and I could’ve done a better job,” said Phil. “Just thought you’d want a heads up, mate, in case they decide to come back.”

“Well, I appreciate it. I’ve gotta say, they are not my favorite visitors to have.”

“Is that an understatement?”

“Oh yeah,” Techno said, laughing as he cleaned off the other plate and dumped it into the sink. “I think I’d rather have Tommy livin’ under my house again.”

“Damn, that bad, huh?

“You have no idea, Phil.”

“What’s with the clothes?” Phil asked, gesturing towards the clothes that were half on and half off the chair.

Techno deflated. He had forgotten about the clothes, not that he would’ve had time to do anything about them in the first place. Dream had barely had time to shift into his rabbit form before Phil had come into the kitchen.

“Oh, ha ha, that—I was just doin’ some sewin’ and I guess I must’ve forgotten about it,” he said, gathering up the clothes and folding them haphazardly. “You know how I get when I’m tired.”

Phil smiled, shaking his head a little.

“I sure do, mate.” Reaching forward, he put his hand on Techno’s shoulder and squeezed, telling him without words that whatever was going on, he was there for him. “You ought to get some sleep, especially if things go sideways.”

With a sigh, Techno leaned against Phil, resting his head on top his head, crumpling his hat beneath his chin, arms draped around his shoulders.

“You think they’re gonna go sideways, huh.” Not that Techno was surprised; he had a feeling that things were going to get complicated and messy and he had put himself right in the middle of it all.

“Sure as fuck do, mate,” said Phil. “Sam’s been tearing through the main hub, he’s got Bad and Ant stationed at the portals, grilling everyone who comes and goes. I’m pretty sure Quackity’s got at least one spy, maybe more.”

“Dang it.” Techno straightened and rubbed a hand over his face, knocking his glasses askew. “I don’t like what I’m hearin’, Phil.”

Phil patted Techno’s hand.

“If it makes you feel better, mate, I’m pretty sure that for now they’ve come to the conclusion that this is the obvious place for Dream to come and therefore he’s probably anywhere else.”

An amused snort escaped Techno before he could stop it.

“I mean, they’re not wrong,” he hurried to clarify.

“Yeah, I figured as much,” said Phil with a nod. “Well, I’m going to get some sleep. You better do the same.”

“Oh, I plan on it.” Techno took a step to the side and followed Phil to the door. “Believe me, I plan on sleepin’ for the next day or two.”

Phil laughed.

“I’ll come poke you with a stick if I don’t see you by next week,” he said, opening the door and stepping out. His home was only a few paces away but he waved anyway. “Bye, mate.”

“Bye.”

He had waited until the lights in Phil’s cabin went out, busying himself with tidying up. Techno washed the dishes – he washed the same one twice before he had realized – and swept the floor and dimmed his own lights before taking up his spot by the fire. His chair rocked back and forth slowly. The book in his lap was unopened.

Only when the lights across the bridge went out did he let out a long, relieved sigh.

“That was way too dang close,” he said to the room.

It took a minute or two but eventually the rabbit poked its head out from beneath the bookshelf. To get out, it had to push itself completely flat and practically wiggle its way out. If it gained some weight, Techno doubted it would be able to fit at all. Once out, it used its back leg to scratch at the ear that had been cut half way down. The injury was older but had healed poorly, scabbing over only to be reopened when it became too itchy to bear.

Or when Quackity had decided it was a good way to get his point across.

The rabbit looked at Techno.

“Good thing you’re as quick as a bunny.” He chuckled at his own joke. The rabbit stared, nose twitching in an unamused fashion. Techno cleared his throat. “Yeah, yeah, but it’s fine, alright? Phil doesn’t know and even if he did—”

The rabbit stomped both of its hind legs.

“Alright, man, alright. Don’t work yourself up, you look like you’re about to fall over,” he said and it was true. The rabbit was shaking, not out of fear, but the kind of shaking that happened when your limbs could barely hold you up. “I’m just sayin’, I’ve known Phil for a long time. I’m not gonna tell him anything, though, alright? Your secret is safe with me.”

After a moment, the rabbit flopped over on its side. It was so sudden that Techno had pushed himself half out of the rocking chair, thinking the rabbit had collapsed, but then it stretched with a yawn, chipped front tooth visible.

“Yeah, me too. I think it’s bedtime for both of us,” said Techno, getting up the rest of the way. “Just do me a favor, okay, and don’t do the shape shiftin’ thing in the middle of the night. That’d just be too awkward, man.”

The rabbit stretched out next to the pigman. He was warm and the rabbit was always cold. There was no fat under its fur to protect from the winter winds and even its fur was missing in places; some would never grow back properly, either, because of the scars.

But the pigman was warm and let it burrow in the blankets and despite his worry that he would roll over in his sleep and crush the rabbit, it hadn’t happened yet.

The rabbit trusted that it wouldn’t.

It was easier to trust as a rabbit.

If someone was kind, if they moved slowly and spoke softly, if they gave it food and touched it gently, then the rabbit would trust it. There were no thoughts, just the instinct of an animal, and that’s what it liked.

Because if it thought more about it, then it would have to worry about the things it had heard the broken winged man say.

The rabbit didn’t want to think about it because it liked the safe feeling of this snow covered cabin.

(Dream didn’t want to think about it because it made him feel weak and helpless and vulnerable and he hated himself when he was like that. It was the only way he had been in the prison and it wasn’t supposed to be that way.)

The rabbit pressed its nose into Techno’s hand and he mumbled in his sleep, almost poking the rabbit in the eye in his attempt to pet it.

(Dream hated this, too, he told himself, but it was instinct and as long as he didn’t think about it, it wasn’t so bad. It was better than weakness that came from fear and pain. Still weakness, he thought, but the edges of this one weren’t as sharp.)

It shook its head, trying to get those thoughts out.

Stop it, it chided itself. Go to sleep.

And it did.

And the last thought on the cusp of sleep was that this might be the last time he would get to sleep safely and peacefully and in the morning the rabbit wouldn’t remember.

(Dream remembered.)

Chapter Text

The knock on the door was almost timid, as if the knocker wasn’t sure if it wanted to be knocking on the door in the first place, and Techno finished pouring the potion ingredients into the flask before he went to open it. Already he knew who it was, even if he hadn’t smelled the distinct scent of Ranboo through the door and window.

“Hey, Ranboo,” he said, opening the door and looking up at the half-enderman. “What’s up?”

“Oh, you know,” they said as they looked around, everywhere but at Techno’s eyes. “Not great! So, the usual.”

Techno echoed their chuckle and stepped aside, gesturing for him to come in.

“Oh, I know, Ranboo, I know. D’you want to be a little more specific, though?”

Standing in the middle of the room, Ranboo had to bend over slightly as to not hit his head on the ceiling. Their tail was curled tightly around their leg and they twisted their hands awkwardly in front of them. Techno waited.

“Hm, well, you remember how I was all like, I’m going to stay up here ‘cause Dream escaped from prison and, oh boy, I really did not want to be anywhere near that whole situation?”

“I distinctly remember that, yeah.”

“Okay, so, I think I need to go back.” They paused. “To Snowchester, I mean. But, uh, Sam is having the portals watched and I really don’t want to go alone, frankly, so I thought I’d ask if, like, you’d go with me?”

Ranboo’s voice trailed upwards at the end and his tongue flicked out over his eyes. Nervousness practically poured off him and Techno realized he wasn’t going to be able to say no. He had planned to, had been preparing the speech in his head as soon as he realized the direction this was going, but now there was no way he could go through with it.

The silence had lasted a bit too long.

“You don’t have to! Like, that’s totally cool, if—”

“No, no,” said Techno, holding up a hand. “Pfft, I’m supposed to be the cool mentor, how could I say no when my pupil is askin’ me to do an escort mission?”

Relief washed over Ranboo and their shoulders sagged slightly.

“Oh, good, because I really did not want to go alone,” he said. “It’s—Well, it’s complicated. I can explain.”

Techno shook his head. There were questions that he wanted to ask, like why Snowchester, what was so important that he had to go there, why he was worried about going alone, but Techno already had an idea of what the answers would be. He had had an idea for awhile now but never brought it up, always turned a blind eye, because if Ranboo didn’t want to tell him, then he wasn’t going to push.

“It’s fine, Ranboo, alright, it’s fine. I’m just here for moral support and to take all the credit when you do somethin’ cool, y’know, being your mentor and all,” said Techno.

Ranboo laughed.

“Okay, okay, I see how it is. I see how it is. That’s fine with me. So, um, should we get going?”

Techno was already reaching for his cloak.

“Yeah, yeah,” he started to say and then stopped, wincing. “Actually, hang on, I gotta leave a note for Phil, let him know to come check in on Gary.”

“Gary? Who is Gary?” asked Ranboo.

Looking around, Techno frowned, not seeing the rabbit in any of the typical spots. Chances were he had crawled under the bookshelf again the moment he had heard the knock at the door but Techno didn’t like the fact he didn’t know for certain.

“The rabbit,” he said, looking at Ranboo and seeing that hadn’t explained anything. “Listen, Ranboo, I found a cute bunny and his name is Gary but he’s a little special, you know. Skittish and needs someone to look after him, that’s all.”

“Riiiight,” said Ranboo, drawing out the word, disbelief in the tone. “Yeah, that makes sense.”

As if on cue, as if the rabbit knew that the whole story was in doubt, it pushed itself from under the bookshelf. It hopped over to Techno and headbutted his leg.

“Oh!” Ranboo’s tail flicked back and forth. “Gary, I presume.”

Techno crouched down and rubbed the rabbit’s ears.

“Yeah, this is him, or as Phil likes to call him, the mangy beast,” he said.

“I can see why.” There was a pause as Ranboo tried to figure out the best way to phrase his next question. “What’s, uh, wrong with it?”

The rabbit gave a slight jump and then darted away, paws scrambling for purchase, hiding under Techno’s rocking chair. It disappeared in the shadows, only the maimed front paws and its nose visible. Techno looked back at Ranboo and shrugged.

“A lot of things.”

Ranboo stared for a second before laughing, thin frame shaking, covering their mouth with one hand. Once they calmed down, they wiped at their eyes and straightened.

“Oh boy. You know what, yeah, that’s fair. Will it be alright on its own?”

A frown twitched across Techno’s face but he nodded.

“Yeah, it’ll be fine. I’ll just let Phil know to stop by and check on him,” he said. “Just in case.”

The rabbit did not like the thought of being left alone.

It had wanted to protest but it realized that the pigman was not picking up on what the rabbit was trying to convey and so it had decided to just put up with being abandoned. Later, it could always make its displeasure at the whole thing known.

(Besides, Dream thought, it’s probably a good idea that Techno isn’t just holed up here. That might look suspicious.)

The rabbit twitched one of its ears and watched the pigman and the strange new person leave. As soon as they had gone and it couldn’t hear their footfalls anymore, it hopped out from underneath the chair and began looking for something that it could chew on.

There was plenty of clutter in the cabin but the rabbit wanted to find something softer than wood and something that would annoy the pigman but not too much. It settled on one of the books on the bottom shelf, the spine still stiff, pages unwrinkled and yellowing.

Phil trudged up the stairs, ready to settle down into the warmth of his cabin. Winter was in full force and the joints of his wings ached. His knee ached as well; he was getting old. Or older. He had always been old. He stepped onto the porch and glanced towards Techno’s cabin first. There was a light on but no movement and a thin layer of falling snow had begun to fill in two sets of familiar foot prints. With a sigh, he turned to his home and stopped in his tracks.

There was a piece of paper stuck to the door with an arrow and Phil felt a sense of worry and dread settle in the back of his mind. As he got closer, he realized the arrow was the sort the strays around here used and the large, looping and slanting hand writing belonged to Techno. He plucked the note from the arrow and read it.

Then he read it again.

“’Babysit Gary for me, will ya, Phil’,” he said out loud, still looking down at the note. “You can’t be serious, mate.”

No answer came, of course, and Phil shook his head, grinning. Techno was undoubtedly serious, had definitely not forgotten about Phil’s poor luck with rabbit sitting before. This was important, Ranboo needed something and it wasn’t like Techno to say no to that, no matter how much he might be worried about the rabbit.

Besides, Techno trusted Phil, even with something as clearly as important to him as the rabbit.

Phil folded the note and stuffed it into his pocket before opening his cabin’s door. If he was going to be rabbit sitting again, he might as well bring his current project over and work on it at Techno’s. He grabbed his workbook and the leather satchel that contained his pencils and other supplies. Shutting the door behind him, he walked over to Techno’s.

He knocked on the door even though he knew there would be no answer and waited a minute or so before he opened it and stepped inside.

“Hello,” he called. There was no movement inside the room. He wiped off his boots and hung up his coat on the hook by the door. “Where are you, you little shit?”

He waited another bit and when there was nothing, Phil went into the kitchen and put on a kettle of water to boil. The kitchen table was cluttered and he cleared a section, pushing everything to the side. Sitting with a sigh, he stretched his legs out.

“Techno asked me to stop by, keep an eye on you,” he said to the empty room. The rabbit was around here, somewhere, Phil knew, and knew that it could hear him. “Has he fed you? I’m hoping he’s not gone that long this time but…”

Phil trailed off, listening. He thought he heard movement from the other room but it was just as likely to be the wind blowing down the chimney than anything else. Unfolding the leather satchel, he pulled out the compass and protractor and opened his book. The kettle began to whistle and he stood with a groan.

From the corner of his eye, he saw the rabbit poke its head around the entryway of the kitchen. Its ears were pointed forward.

“You want a cup of tea?” he asked and wasn’t sure why.

The rabbit flicked one of its ears back and took one hop forward.

Phil wasn’t well versed in rabbit expressions but even he could make an educated guess at what the rabbit was thinking and its thought was incredulous.

“Techno, I can understand, I’ve known him well enough to know what’s going through that head of his,” said Phil, pulling out two mugs. “What’s your excuse?”

The rabbit thumped its leg and then sat down where it was and began grooming itself. Everything about it and the action was animal and he wasn’t sure why he had even thought it might be otherwise. Phil sighed. He poured water into both of the mugs, despite how ridiculous he felt, and dunked the tea bags.

“Tea’s here, then, if you want it,” he said.

With a frown, Phil set the mugs down on the table, one in front of his seat and one in front of an empty seat, before sitting down himself. He didn’t know what he’d been expecting, really, because if his hunch was right, then the whole point was that no one knew, and the way it was looking at the moment was that he had been way off base.

Phil picked up a pencil, made from redstone dust, and began marking out the parts on his design that needed to be changed, aspects that had to be tweaked, just a little. It would take awhile to build and he would need at least one beacon to complete but he thought it would make the Syndicate room safer, harder to find.

As he worked, he kept one eye on the entryway but the rabbit never came back and the tea had gone cold. Phil stood when his hand started to cramp and dumped the second mug out into the sink before moving into the main room. The fire had gone down to just embers. Phil put another log on it and began stoking it. The embers grew hotter and small flames began licking at the log. He waited until they caught and then added another log.

“That should warm this place up,” he said as he sat. “Didn’t realize it had gotten so cold.”

In the kitchen, with the wood burning stove, it had been warmer and Phil hadn’t noticed the fire had almost went out. He was surprised that Techno wasn’t back yet though if the reason Ranboo needed to go to Snowchester was what Phil thought it was, the two of them probably had a lot to talk about. He leaned back in the chair, listening to the fire crackle.

It took a few minutes, but eventually the rabbit came out from wherever it had been hiding and laid down in front of the fireplace, as close as it could get without being right in the fire. Phil raised an eyebrow. The rabbit stared at him, ears back, sitting in a ball, ready to dart away at any moment.

“You cold, mate? You’re shivering.”

The rabbit shifted its front paws, nose wiggling.

“I’m sure Techno will be back soon.”

Silence fell over the cabin as they both waited.

“Phil?”

Techno opened the cabin door. It was late, past the middle of the night, and he was tired. The trip to Snowchester shouldn’t have taken so long and it hadn’t, not really, but Ranboo had a lot to say and Techno had nod along as if he hadn’t put most of the pieces together. That Ranboo and Tubbo were a lot closer than they let on, that Ranboo had decided to marry the government.

Well, not the government, not anymore, but Techno knew that was why Ranboo had been afraid to say anything. It made Techno feel a bit guilty, that Ranboo hadn’t felt comfortable coming to him, but he understood why and Techno had the good grace not to point out that it had been fairly obvious.

The kid had been news, though, and that had stung a little, more than the guilt did.

He shook the snow off his cloak and hung it up, next to Phil’s coat.

Phil had nodded off in the chair, chin resting on his chest bone, hat covering his eyes. The rabbit was sleeping in the basket, in front of the fire, and had opened one eye as soon as Techno had come in but settled back down quickly. Walking over, Techno placed a hand on Phil’s shoulder and he jerked awake almost immediately.

“Fucking hell, mate, you about gave me a heart attack,” he said, adjusting his hat and flexing his wings. They had fallen asleep as he sat and now they tingled uncomfortably. “Everything go alright?”

“Yeah, yeah, it went fine,” said Techno, sitting in the chair opposite Phil. “Turns out Ranboo has a whole secret family up in Snowchester. He’s got a husband and a kid and everything.”

Phil nodded, the silence awkward.

“So, I’m guessin’ you knew, then.”

“I’m sorry, mate, Ranboo asked me not to tell you and I knew that they were real worked up about the whole thing so I figured it was best if I just didn’t say anything,” said Phil after a moment.

Techno waved a hand dismissively.

“Nah, it’s fine, probably the right thing to do,” he said. “Everything’s alright up there. We got their kid somewhere safe. I guess that was the big worry. I’m not sure why.”

A thoughtful look crossed Phil’s face. It was certainly an odd thing but there were a lot of odd things going on. He glanced down at the rabbit.

“You think it has anything to do with Dream escaping?” asked Phil.

Techno followed Phil’s gaze and shrugged.

“I’m gonna be honest, I think it has more to do with whatever Sam is up to.” Techno remembered the worry that practically seeped from Ranboo’s pores when going through the portal. “The whole server is worked up. It’s makin’ me a bit nervous, Phil. Someone is gonna do somethin’ stupid.”

Leaning back in the chair, Phil rubbed his hand over his knee. If he was a betting man, he would bet that someone already had done something stupid and they were all just waiting for the unknown fallout.

“I don’t doubt it, mate.”

“Yeah,” said Techno, looking out the window. The sky had finally cleared and the moon reflected off the snow, making the night shine. “Well, I appreciate you bunny sittin’ for me, man, but don’t let me keep you for longer.”

“Ah, I didn’t mind. Me and the little shit there have come to an agreement,” he said getting to his feet. Phil crouched down in front of the rabbit and pet its head. The rabbit pulled back slightly and then nudged Phil’s hand with its nose. “Someone sure did a number on him, huh.”

“I think that’s a dang understatement, if I’m bein’ honest, Phil.” Techno had stood as soon as Phil had, watching the rabbit, afraid that it would freak out when he had gone to pet it. “This wasn’t just animal abuse, y’know? It was—”

He fell silent.

“I know, mate,” said Phil, straightening and putting his hand on Techno’s shoulder. Abuse was too tame a word. Even looking at the aftermath, that much was clear. He walked to the door, Techno following after him. The winter night air smelled clean and it blew snow in, catching on the rug. Phil looked back to the rabbit. “It’ll be alright.”

“I hope so, Phil.”

For the past two days, Techno had made the rabbit mashed fruits and vegetables and had made Dream a second plate of food, leaving a set of clothing that had been hemmed and taken in since Techno’s clothes were too big. The rabbit had eaten some of the mashed foods but Dream hadn’t eaten a thing.

It worried Techno.

The rabbit and Dream were the same; if the rabbit ate, then the man would eat, but Techno was afraid he was losing the man. There was the thought that if Dream stayed as a rabbit then a lot of the problems would be solved. He could hide him easier, could convince people that he was harmless because what could a bunny possibly do? People destroyed countries and hurt others, not a rabbit.

Techno had a feeling that line of thought was close to what Dream must be thinking. 

“Alright, man, I’m gonna make you mash peas again,” he said. “So you can either eat that or you can have some of this pot roast.”

The rabbit had been lying under the table, occasionally chewing on the leg of one of the chairs, but at Techno’s words, it hopped into the other room. Techno snorted.

“You’re too easy.”

When Techno turned back, Dream was sitting at the table. Techno hadn’t even heard him, his footsteps quiet against the wood. He sat with one of his legs pulled up to his chest, chin resting on his knee. His green eyes were wide, looking around, more white than green, and his nose moved constantly. One ear was turned inside out and the shirt had clearly been pulled on haphazardly.

“D’you really hate peas that much, man?” he asked.

“They’re fucking gross,” signed Dream, nose scrunching up.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to insult your host’s cookin’?” Techno set a plate down in front of Dream and then used his free hand to turn Dream’s ear the right way. He flinched back from the touch. “Easy, man, easy. That couldn’t have been comfortable.”

The only answer he got was being flipped off before Dream started to pick at the food. He wasn’t eating much, but it was more than what he had been eating and Techno watched him with a sort of exasperated amusement. Any piece of potato was flicked unceremoniously to the side.

“Alright, Dream, I gotta know,” said Techno after a few moments of watching. “What’s with you and potatoes?”

Dream paused, shoulders pulled up.

“The only thing I had was raw potatoes.”

With two of his fingers missing, it was harder for Dream to sign and it took him a few tries to get the words right.

“You’re tellin’ me that Sam was only feedin’ you raw potatoes that entire time?”

Dream looked away, mouth pulled into a frown, thoughts somewhere else, eyes empty, before he finally answered.

“I thought it would be fine.”

Techno scrapped his fork against the plate. It was a strange answer, one that didn’t make sense in the context of the question. He watched Dream carefully. Or maybe it made sense in a certain context. Techno narrowed his eyes slightly.

“You’re the one that had that prison built, right?” he asked. Dream gave a quick nod of his head. “Guess you didn’t count on being the one inside the dang thing.”

Dream stared at him.

“Bruh…” Leaning back in his seat, Techno ran a hand over his face and then took his glasses off, wiping them on his shirt. It wasn’t until he had placed them back on and he had processed the silent information he had been given that he spoke again. “So. I guess you really weren’t lyin’ when you said you had a big house full of red stone, huh?”

“Oh my god,” said Dream, voice hoarse from being unused, and full of both amusement and sorrow.

Techno laughed.

Chapter Text

“Uh, hey, Techno,” called Ranboo from across the yard. The snow had stopped falling and was now a white, powdery carpet across the ground. Next to Ranboo, Michael plodded along happily. Every so often, he’d trip and Ranboo would help him to his feet. “How’s it going?”

Tossing a shovelful of snow over the railing of the porch, Techno gave a wave in their direction. The porch was almost done anyway and so he leaned the shovel against the wall.

“Hullo! What are you doin’ out here with a baby?” he asked, trying to keep the concern out of his voice. “You’re gonna lose him in the snow.”

“Nah, he’s fine, right, big man?” Michael grabbed onto Ranboo’s arm and Ranboo swung him a little bit off the ground and tossed him lightly into a snow drift by Phil’s cabin. A loud squeal escaped from Michael as he scrambled back to his feet.

Techno gave a snort.

“I forgot babies like to be tossed around,” he said. “Phil used to do that with Wilbur all the time.”

“Yeah, it’s weird. Babies are weird.”

Michael got back up and signed to his dad.

“I’m not baby!” Both Techno and Ranboo nodded and looked at each other with a shrug. “Again?”

“Why don’t you ask Techno? I bet he could swing you real far.”

Techno’s cheeks were bright red from the cold and his mittens had gotten damp from playing with Michael in the snow. Only half of the porch had been cleaned off but there were at least three different snow figures in the yard. It would have been too generous to call them anything else because none of them seemed to resemble people much at all. The cabin was warm and dry which was welcomed to both him and Ranboo, the latter who was growing ever more uncomfortable as the snow made their clothing wet.

Michael wasn’t bothered. He would have been happy to stay outside all day but Techno had promised him some hot chocolate which seemed to have done the trick.

It hadn’t occurred to him until after he had let the baby into his home and the baby had seen the rabbit scurry to hide under the bookshelf that the whole thing might have been a bad idea. 

“Oh, uh, that bunny isn’t exactly kid friendly so you might wanna keep him away from it, Ranboo,” said Techno, stomping his hooves off on the rug. “Wouldn’t want him losin’ a finger or somethin’.”

Ranboo’s tail twitched rapidly back and forth.

“Like, are you being serious or…?”

There was silence from the kitchen as Techno looked for the cocoa beans.

“Listen, Ranboo, I don’t think Gary there would actually bite a kid’s finger off but, not gonna lie, that’s one high strung bunny,” he called.

“Duly noted.” A beat and then, “Uh oh, no, Michael, let’s leave the grumpy bunny alone, alright? That’s a good boy. Come here.”

Ranboo scooped his son up and went to sit down on one of the chairs by the fireplace, hoping that it would help dry his pants off sooner. The snow had melted and was now water and made him very uncomfortable, his legs burning slightly. He bounced Michael on his knee.

“So, what’s up with the rabbit in the first place?” asked Ranboo when Techno came back into the room, holding three mugs, two in one hand. He give Michael the first mug and the handed one to Ranboo.

“It’s a long story, alright, Ranboo,” he said with a grimace as he sat down. “I think it’s been chewed up a few times.”

“Ah, yeah, that’d make anything a bit jumpy.”

“Exactly.”

It took Michael about the length of time to drink his hot chocolate, spilling some on his sweater, and look around the room twice to grow bored. There was no Chicken here and lots and lots of things that he knew if he tried to touch, he would be told no and made to sit still on his daddy’s lap again. He kicked his legs and looked up at the ceiling.

The bunny he wasn’t supposed to touch was under the bookshelf and his daddy and Techno were talking about boring things and Michael decided that just looking at the bunny was probably fine. He slipped off his dad’s lap and waited a few seconds. When he wasn’t told to stop, Michael trotted over to the bookshelf and laid down in front of it.

He could see the bunny, pressed against the ground, staring at him. Michael made a noise and waved at the bunny. The bunny awkwardly thumped its foot against the wall.

“Oh, uh, Michael, don’t do that,” said Ranboo, resignation thick in their voice.

Techno frowned.

“I mean, I guess it’s fine if the bunny isn’t doin’ anything.”

“Are you sure?”

Shrugging, Techno made a noncommittal noise. It was a fine line to walk between keeping the rabbit safe and treating it like a rabbit and being overly protective and suspicious. There were times that Techno thought Phil had figured the whole thing out. He had to be more careful.

When no one came to stop him, Michael waved at the bunny again, scooting as close as he possibly could to the bottom of the bookshelf. The rabbit’s ears were pointed towards him and it sniffed at the air. He gave a squeal of delight and held out his hand. After a moment, the rabbit moved forward a little and pressed its nose against his hand.

Michael made a string of quiet oinks and snorts as he pet the rabbit. Its nose was very soft and seemed to vibrate in a funny way and Michael decided that he liked this rabbit. Not as much as he liked Chicken, of course, but he liked the silly way the rabbit’s whiskers moved. Sticking one arm under the bookshelf, Michael looped it behind the rabbit and began attempting to push it out.

“That might not be a good idea, though,” said Techno about thirty seconds too late.

Once the rabbit had realized what was happening, it had tried to scramble backwards but it lacked purchase and had given up almost immediately. Michael was able to push it out from under the bookshelf. It sat completely still, hoping that if it didn’t move, the kid would lose interest.

“Look at bunny,” Michael signed. He was still lying on the ground, arms out awkwardly to the side as he signed to his dad. He touched one of the rabbit’s ears. “Big ears! Bunny has ear like me.”

He pat the rabbit on the head and then pat his own head, on the side with the cloudy eye and torn ear.

“Oh, hm, would you look at that! It sure does have an ear like yours,” said Ranboo with a nervous chuckle, looking over towards Techno.

Techno looked as confused as he did.

“I don’t have a dang clue, man,” he said. If he had been a betting man, he would have put money on the rabbit biting the baby as soon as he had touched it. The rabbit had bit him for a lot less, after all.

Michael scooted closer on the floor, practically pressing his face against the rabbit’s face. The rabbit butted its head against him and then jumped, all four feet off the ground, as if it had startled itself. With a squeal of laughter, Michael sat up and shuffled along the floor to pat the rabbit again.

“Silly,” he signed. “It silly. Bunny hurt?”

The question made Techno wince a little.

“It was hurt but he’s doin’ fine now. Just gotta fatten him up a little, make sure he’s eatin’.”

“Bunny have cake?”

“Oo, can rabbits have cake?” asked Ranboo. “I’m not up to date on, like, rabbit care.”

Techno leaned back in his chair. Dogs couldn’t eat chocolate, he knew that much, and those sorts of things probably applied to other animals like foxes and rabbits. But then again this rabbit wasn’t exactly a normal rabbit and Techno had a feeling that cake wouldn’t haven’ an adverse effects.

“Eh, I’m thinkin’ that some cake probably would be fine,” he said finally. “Not that I have any cake just lyin’ around, sorry to disappoint there, kiddo.”

The expression on Michael’s face turned thoughtful.

“I bring cake.”

The rabbit thumped its hind legs in what Techno now understood to be annoyance. He gave a chuckle.

“Sure, kid, sure. Next time you can bring cake for the bunny,” said Techno.

The rabbit had a feeling that it didn’t like kids.

It was a fleeting thought, from long ago, that kids were loud and destructive and would stick their hands into the warrens and ruin everything. Or it was a thought from when it wasn’t a rabbit, it couldn’t remember anymore.

This kid isn’t Tommy, a voice reminded it.

Who is Tommy, the rabbit thought.

(But Dream knew that much was true; this kid was quiet and small and he wasn’t Tommy and so he didn’t feel the need to bite.)

There was no answer.

Besides, if it had bit the kid, the pigman would have been upset and the rabbit didn’t want to make him upset, didn’t want to be anything other than a good rabbit that would be safe here. Something deserving of being protected.

Because it was hurt, the pigman was right, and it could be hurt again as easily as that baby had pulled it out from under the bookshelf.

It had to be good and well behaved.

(Dream remembered the way Sam had told him to behave, remembered the way Quackity would hurt him if he didn’t do what he wanted. Those wants had been arbitrary, of course, things that Dream couldn’t do or things that would change on a whim and no amount of ‘yes sir’s had been able to fix that. He had never been good enough not to deserve punishment, so why did he think it would work this time?

Techno isn’t Quackity. Techno isn’t Sam, the voice reminded him.

But he could give me back to them, he thought, if I don’t do what he wants, if I’m not good.

So don’t bite the fucking baby, god, the voice snapped. You know he’s not like that.

Dream wasn’t sure he did know.)

The rabbit didn’t bite the kid.

Chapter Text

The wind was strong enough that it rattled the windows and made the chimney whistle. Techno was used to it. There was something comforting in the strength of the wind and the way the snow made everything new in the morning. Besides, the cold meant it was perfect for piling on the blankets and snuggling down all day in bed, with the excuse it was too cold to get up.

But the rabbit wasn’t used to it.

Each time the wind caused the window frame to thud loudly, the rabbit would jump, hopping to a new spot on the bed, ears perking up or pressed flat depending on which direction it was facing at the moment and which window had made the noise. 

It had jumped on Techno’s arm, waking him up, and now he watched it stand up on its hind legs, sniffing the air as the chimney howled.

“Seriously, man? It’s a storm,” said Techno, rolling over. “Don’t tell me you’ve never experienced a storm. Just lay down, alright. I’m tryin’ to sleep here.”

The rabbit made a half jump towards him, front paws on his arm as it laid down flat. Then it bit the blanket, tugging it towards itself.

“You’re a pain in the behind, I hope you know this.” Techno ran his hand over the rabbit’s head. “It’s fine, alright. Everything’s fine, I promise.”

Carefully, he took part of the blanket and it tucked it around the rabbit and pulled it closer. Techno could feel its whiskers on his cheek, all different lengths, and he wondered which had been cut and which had been burned. The thought made him uncomfortable and he fluffed up his pillow.

“See? What’d I tell you? Sounds like it’s already dyin’ down out there,” he said. “How about you try to get some sleep, I know you’ve got to be tired.”

As if in agreement, the rabbit yawned, right in his face.

“Ugh, your breath stinks. You need a bunny toothbrush or somethin’.”

Techno woke because there was a weight on his arm that was heavier than the rabbit was but not heavy enough to be one of the dogs. Slowly, he opened one eye. It was still dark, the sort of yellow gray light in the room of early morning that came before the sun had crested the horizon. He could see the shapes of the clutter of the room, the grindstone and the bell, the emerald block catching some of the light both from outside and the low burning lantern.

And there was an unfamiliar lump in the bed next to him.

At first Techno didn’t realize that something was different; he could see the tattered ears of the rabbit and almost closed his eyes again until he realized that the ears were larger and attached to a human shaped head. 

With a sigh, he carefully pulled his arm out from beneath Dream. His hand had already gone numb despite the fact the man weighed next to nothing and he wondered how long he had been like this. He moved the blanket that was covering Dream’s face, just a little.

There were dried tear tracks on his face and a bit of blood on his bottom lip and Techno wondered how he had managed to sleep through whatever nightmare had been haunting him.

But then he had seen the way the rabbit sometimes twitched and heaved in its sleep and realized that he wouldn’t have noticed, not in that case.

Techno laid back down on his side.

He would have to get up soon enough. The sun would rise and shine off the snow and it would be impossible to stay asleep with all the things he needed to get done. But for right now, he didn’t need to move. He tucked the blanket back around Dream and draped his arm over his side, hand pressed against his shoulder.

Under his palm he could feel the same fur that the rabbit had and the knotted flesh that spoke of scarring. If it hadn’t been the rabbit, Techno wasn’t sure that he would let Dream sleep next to him like this, something that had always been reserved for Phil. But he had fed the rabbit and treated its wounds and it didn’t matter that it was Dream.

Next to him, Dream gave a shuddering breath, hands and ears twitching. 

Chapter Text

“I’m really, really sorry about this, Techno,” said Ranboo, standing on the porch, bending down so his head was visible in the door frame. In one hand, they were awkwardly balancing a cake and the other was being held by Michael. The toddler swung his dad’s hand back and forth. “But he, uh, really wanted to make a cake for the bunny.”

Techno looked at the cake.

It was white and red. Or it was supposed to be white and red but the different color frosting had been smeared together to create a mostly pink monstrosity. There were sprinkles and carrot slices on top in what Techno could only assume was some sort of design. At least there was something that looked like a smiley face if he squinted.

“Heh? Are you tellin’ me that a baby made this cake?” he asked, voice rising in feigned surprise as he looked down at Michael. “There’s no way.”

Michael gave a loud squeal that was almost indignant but more amused than anything.

“I made it! I’m big.”

“Alright, alright, you’re big,” he said, gesturing for them to come inside. “I’m sure the bunny is gonna be really excited to see you made a cake for it.”

Ranboo raised a non-existent eyebrow.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sure its going to be real happy,” they said, following Techno into the kitchen. They set the cake down on the table. “Uh, should we put it on a plate? That seems a little excessive but—”

“Ah, it’s fine. I’ve got a special rabbit food plate for ol’ Gary there.” It took him a moment to find a knife. Techno began slicing the cake. The inside seemed to have bits of carrots and what might have been chocolate chips but very well could’ve been raisins. It was hard to tell. He put a big slice on the plate that he had been using to give the rabbit food. “Mm, look at this amazin’ cake. Now let’s find that silly rabbit. I know he’s around here somewhere.”

The rabbit was in the basket in front of the fireplace. It had been sleeping but now was sitting up, ears pointed forwards. Michael made a beeline towards it and sat on the floor, his chin propped up on the basket’s rim. Reaching out, he pat it on the head. Then he turned towards Techno and pat a spot in front of the basket.

“You can please put cake here,” he signed. “Cake for bunny go here.”

“Sure thing, little man,” said Techno and set the plate down right where Michael had indicated. The rabbit looked at the cake, sniffed it, and then laid its ears back. Techno snorted. “Look at this, Gary, the baby made you a cake.”

“This feels like it should be illegal,” Ranboo said. “Like, this is basically animal testing, isn’t it.”

“Eh, it’s fine.”

The rabbit did not look like it thought it was fine.

Michael scooted the plate closer to the rabbit, tipping it up until the cake began to slide slightly off the plate. The rabbit tried to disappear into the basket but Michael was a big boy and he was way past getting tricked by that sort of thing. He grabbed a piece of the cake and held it up to the bunny’s nose, close enough that some of the frosting got on its nose. The frosting was all over Michael’s hands but he didn’t mind. He lightly tapped the bunny with the piece of cake.

The rabbit looked towards Techno with what he could only describe as murderous intent and then took a careful bite of the cake. Its nose wrinkled in disgust but when Michael squealed happily, it took another bite, all the while staring at Techno as best it could.

“Bruh…” Techno leaned into Ranboo, nudging them with his shoulder. “If you find me murdered in my sleep or somethin’, the bunny definitely did it, alright?”

“Yup,” agreed Ranboo, nodding their head slowly. “Yup, that is one pissed off bunny right there.”

“Just don’t tell anyone that’s how I died,” he said. “I mean, pfft, what a lame way to go out.”

“Oh, Michael, don’t—Hm. Don’t touch the bunny until you clean your hands, maybe?”

Michael was petting the rabbit with the hand that had the least amount of cake crumbs on it, some of which were now sticking to the rabbit’s fur. After a moment, the rabbit gave a shudder and hopped out of the basket. Stretching its leg out, it attempted to clean away some of the mess, but Michael had other ideas. He got to his feet, smearing frosting on the stone in front of the fireplace, and then picked the rabbit up. Its legs dangled down awkwardly and Techno winced.

“Easy there, kiddo,” he said, crouching down in front of Michael. “You gotta support his back legs, alright? The bunny got hurt real bad, remember, so we gotta be careful with him.”

Taking Michael’s hand, Techno shifted his grip so that the rabbit was being properly supported, at least as best a toddler could. He gave the bunny a quick scratch behind the ears.

“Sorry about this, man,” he said in a whisper and then, louder, “See? That’s a lot better, huh?”

Michael nodded, tiny face pulled into the most serious face he could muster, before he sat down on the floor with a thud, holding the rabbit in his arms. He pressed his cheek against the top of the rabbit’s head.

“Yeah…” Ranboo drew the word out as he watched his son. “Sorry about that, he has a pet chicken at home, so, like, he’s really into animals.”

“Nah, it’s fine, it’s fine, Ranboo. If Gary isn’t bitin’ him, then he’s alright,” said Techno, hoping that much was true. “Trust me, he definitely knows how to make it clear he’s not happy.”

“Oh, good. That’s good,” they said with a sigh.

“Bunny soft,” signed Michael and then he peered down at it, pushing his face into its face, before sitting back up. “Bunny is sleeping?”

The rabbit had its eyes closed but the way it moved its ears made Techno think it wasn’t actually sleeping, but merely pretending to do so. He chuckled quietly.

“Looks like he might be.”

Michael happily patted the rabbit’s head and ears, making soft oinks as he did so.

What was left of the cake had been tossed into the composter after Techno had walked Ranboo and Michael home. Nealy half of it was gone, either eaten by Michael or smeared onto the toddler’s clothes or the rabbit’s fur. Some of it had been eaten by the rabbit but not much and it sat trying to clean itself off. There were places that it hadn’t been able to reach and Techno shook his head.

“If I help clean you up, you’re not gonna bite me, are you?” he asked as he shook the snow off the bottom of his cloak and hung it up.

The rabbit paused in its grooming and stomped both of its hind legs.

“Alright, listen man, what was I gonna do?” Techno lowered his voice. “Tell the baby he can’t pet my bunny ‘cause it’s actually an escaped prisoner in disguise?”

There was a pause and then the rabbit stomped again before flopping onto its side, the resignation in the action clear.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

Techno went to the kitchen and turned on the water, letting it get hot before he wet the towel and wringing out the excess water. On his way to his chair, he stopped and picked up the rabbit.

“I mean it, you bite me and I’m kickin’ your scrawny behind out,” he said, beginning to clean the bits of frosting and cake crumbs that were stuck to the rabbit’s fur. The moment his hand came close to the rabbit’s mouth, it bit him on one of his fingers. Not hard, just enough for him to feel it. “You think I’m jokin’ don’t you?”

The rabbit folded its ears back, looking up at him, nothing else moving except its eyes. Techno sighed and stroked its fur along its back. The spine still stuck out and he didn’t think a few pieces of cake was going to solve that issue.

“Yeah, you got me. I’m jokin’. I wouldn’t actually throw you out.” He dabbed the cloth against the rabbit’s cheeks and in a slight sing-song voice, said, “You’re just too cute to be homeless.”

The rabbit bit him, a little harder this time.

“Alright, that’s it. You’re gettin’ the ribbons again.”

Chapter Text

If Techno never saw the forced casualness of Quackity’s saunter or Sam’s stiff march coming over the horizon of his land again, it wouldn’t be enough. He would rather go back and erase all the times they had before but that wasn’t possible. And truthfully, Techno wasn’t surprised to see those two and Sam’s goons trailing behind coming across the snow covered yard. He had hoped that the last visit, letting them search his home, would have been the end of it but he should have known better.

Dusting off his hands on his pants, Techno closed the gate to the paddock where Carl was eating, nose buried deep in a bucket of oats. He wished he had time to put on his armor but there were potions in his belt loop and he put his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“What’s wrong, mate?” asked Phil, stepping along the bridge that connected their cabins. From his position, he couldn’t see the approaching party, but worry was clear on his face.

“We’ve got company,” Techno said.

The seriousness in Techno’s tone hit Phil and he immediately backtracked to his cabin, hitting the button, and reaching in to grab his bow and quiver. Nothing else had needed to be said about the situation; they had fought plenty of battles together and knew each other well. He came to stand next to Techno.

“The hell are these bastards doing back here again?”

“Oh, I’m gonna assume that it’s not for a nice chat and cup of tea,” said Techno, rubbing a hand over his chin. “Ranboo and the baby aren’t over there, are they?”

“Not that I know. I think they went to meet Tubbo.”

Techno’s expression was grim.

“Good.”

“Hey, Techno, what’s up man?” called Quackity the moment he got close enough. Any hesitation that might have been present vanished when he saw that it was only the two of them. He grinned. “Sorry for barging in like this but, see, I heard you’ve been lying.”

“Hey, Quackity, good to see you, too. I’m doin’ great, thanks for askin’.” 

“I’m not going to stand here all day listening to you two bicker. Again,” Sam said. There was tension in the way he was standing, a sort of anxiousness like a dog that was ready to snap. 

“Then maybe you can tell me what the heck you’re doin’ here.”

The grin on Quackity’s face grew wider and he took a step forward.

“See, I happened to hear that you’ve gotten yourself a new pet.” Quackity shoved his hands into his pockets. “A little bunny rabbit. You know what I’m talking about. Hand it over and we’ll leave without a fuss.”

Phil blinked in confusion, lowering his bow just slightly, looking from Quackity to Techno.

“You’re here for a damn rabbit?” he asked, incredulous.

“Stay out of this, Phil,” snapped Sam. “Give us the rabbit. That’s the only thing we want.”

Tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword, Techno rocked back slightly on his hooves.

“Seriously, what’s with you and wantin’ to kidnap my pets, Quackity? If you want a bunny, I can help you get your own,” he said.

The smile on Quackity’s face turned cold.

“Nah, I appreciate the offer but I want that rabbit, Techno, so you either give it to us or we’ll take it and we’ll take you and Phil here as well. It’s your choice.”

Techno drew his sword.

“That’s gonna be a problem, Quackity, ‘cause I’m kind of attached to that rabbit and if any of you even look at Phil, I’ll have to kill you.”

At the words, Phil notched an arrow and pointed it at Sam. Behind him, Antfrost and Bad shared a nervous glance. Whatever they had been expecting, Phil didn’t think it had been this and that was something that could work to their advantage. He looked over at Techno and wondered what exactly he was thinking.

“This is your last warning, Technoblade,” said Sam, leveling his trident towards him. His expression was hidden behind the half mask he wore but his eyes simmered with anger. “The rabbit, now.”

“Hey, Phil, can you go open the door to the cabin for me?” Techno asked.

“Mate?”

Techno glanced at Phil and gave him a slight nod. 

“It’s fine, Phil. You heard what they said, we gotta do things the easy way. Go get the rabbit.”

Phil hesitated but lowered his bow and trudged up the stairs. Nothing about this made sense and when he opened the door, the rabbit was hunched in its basket, eyes bulging and trembling. It was just a rabbit. It had to be just a rabbit or else he really didn’t like where this was going. He scooped it up and was surprised that it didn’t struggle at all. Petting it on the head, Phil turned back to the door.

The scene was exactly as he had left and Phil felt his heart pounding in his chest, mimicking the way the rabbit’s heart was beating. He scratched its ear.

“It’s going to be okay, mate,” he whispered. 

“See,” said Quackity and that smile was back on his face, something gleeful and eager present. “I told you that this would be real easy if you just did what we asked.”

“Yeah, you did, Quackity,” Techno agreed, thumbing the cork off one of the potions on his belt. “Drop the bunny, Phil, and get the heck out of here.” 

In one swift motion, Techno had downed the potion and swung his sword towards Sam, catching the prison warden off guard. The sword slammed into his arm, forcing Sam to stagger back slightly. He parried with his trident and Techno was really wishing he had put his armor on but this day was supposed to just another day, he was supposed to be feeding his animals and not in the middle of a fight.

An arrow whizzed past Techno’s head and thudded into Antfrost’s shield. Then another one landed right in front of Quackity who scrambled backwards, the gleeful smile was now gone and replaced with a look of panic. In the snow, the rabbit was frozen in fear. Techno could smell it, hot and sour and bone deep. He took a step back and glanced down.

“Run,” said Techno and swung his sword again.

Run.

It was the one word that cut through the panic and the terror.

The rabbit could run. It had run before, had run for a long time, and it would do it again.

Its feet slipped on the snow for a second before gaining purchase and the rabbit ran, through snow and under the fence made out of wood that smelled something like mushrooms and into the woods where the ground was covered with moss and pine needles.

The rabbit ran until its chest hurt and its legs felt like water. 

It ran until it couldn’t run any longer, tumbling down a hill when it couldn’t come to a quick enough stop. It landed on the ground and got to its feet after a moment. It needed a place to hide, somewhere it could rest, until it was strong enough.

Strong enough for what, came the voice.

I don’t know, it thought, strong enough to do something.

To do something stupid, the voice replied and it sounded like the pigman’s voice.

Yes, the rabbit thought.

Chapter Text

Techno didn’t remember exactly what happened.

He had faced worse odds than a four vs two but he had been woefully under prepared this time. There had been no advance warning from Phil because Phil was at his side, as caught off guard as he was. And that’s what Techno had been worried about, keeping Phil safe and making sure that dang rabbit had done what he said and ran.

There was blood in his eyes and his glasses were gone, having fallen off in the fight. Techno blinked and lifted his arm to wipe at his face. The chains on his wrists clanked together. He winced. This was truly not how he had seen his day going. The voices in his head were a low drone of panic and fear that Techno tried to push away.

At least Phil was safe.

He knew that much.

And the rabbit had gotten away so there was that.

It didn’t make his situation better, of course, but Techno did feel a sort of satisfaction in knowing that Sam and Quackity didn’t get what they had come for and had wound up with a few new injuries to show for the whole thing. His throat was hoarse and his vision was blurry, however, so he hadn’t asked any questions, hadn’t realized exactly where they were going until they were standing in the shadow of the prison.

“Really, man?” said Techno, finally, shoulders sagging ever so slightly as he looked up at the obsidian building. “Y’know, I’m startin’ to think you didn’t actually care about the rabbit and you were just lookin’ for an excuse to lock me up.”

Sam gave him a rough shove to the shoulder, causing him to stumble forward into the portal that led to the entrance of the prison.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Techno,” he said.

Quackity’s laughter trailed through the portal, mixing with the warbling sound.

“I mean, it’s an added bonus,” he said, “but yeah, like Sam said, you really weren’t the one we were after.”

“So because you screwed up and lost your prisoner, you’re just gonna lock an innocent man up? Doesn’t sound too righteous of you.”

“You’re not innocent. You’re a threat to the entire server,” said Sam. “Not to mention you housed a known fugitive. Everyone is safer with you in here, Techno.”

“Heh? Me, a threat to the server? I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, Sam. All I did was take in a little bunny rabbit,” he said.

“Don’t act like you don’t know who that thing is.”

The disgust in Sam’s voice was clear and it made Techno raise an eyebrow even as he tried to look around the area he had been brought into, trying to make note of anything that could be useful later on.

“I mean, I know it’s a little bit mangy but callin’ him a thing seems a little harsh.”

Quackity snorted.

“Not harsh enough.”

Techno looked at him, thinking about the torture that had been inflicted upon Dream and the small, round burn marks that had littered his skin and the way Quackity smelled of cigarette smoke.

“Y’know what I’ve noticed,” said Techno. “I’ve noticed that you don’t want anyone knowin’ that cute lil’ bunny is actually Dream. I mean, you could’ve told Phil who it was and he might’ve even handed him over. So I’m thinkin’ you don’t want anyone to know what you’ve done in here.” 

Sam exchanged a quick glance with Quackity.

Techno snorted.

“That’s what I thought.”

Phil was pacing.

The cabin was starting to feel cramped and he wanted to get out and do something, find Techno and bring him back safely. The stasis chamber was there, in the Syndicate meeting room, and it would have been so easy to activate it and bring his friend back.

But every move he made was being watched.

At first Phil thought it was supposed to be secretive, that he wasn’t supposed to know, and that Bad and Ant were just so incompetent at their jobs that he had picked up on it regardless. But Punz had practically held up a sign letting him know they were there and Phil had to assume that it was deliberate. That Sam wanted him to know he was being watched so he didn’t try anything.

It was working, that was the worst part.

He felt trapped, unable to do something other than pace around in his cabin and then cross the bridge to Techno’s cabin and pace around in there for a little bit.

The obvious solution was to use invisibility potions to sneak out of the cabin but it wouldn’t take them long to realize that’s what he had done and Phil had no way of knowing what sort of condition Techno would be in. Not to mention no clear idea of where to go and the lingering worry that if Quackity decided to come back, he’d have free reign.

The rabbit might have been long gone but Carl and Steve and the other animals were still here. Someone had to feed them, make sure that they were safe. Someone had to warn Ranboo of what was going on whenever they came back.

With a groan, Phil sunk down into his chair that was in front of the wood burning stove and warmed his hands. Nothing about the situation made sense. That Techno had refused to give up one of his pets, that was perfectly inline with the sort of person he was, but why would Quackity and Sam of all people care about the rabbit?

And what did it have to do with Dream’s apparent escape from prison?

Phil narrowed his eyes, looking up at the vines that were slowly creeping along the walls of his cabin. He had thought something was up with the rabbit, had thought there might be more to it than met the eye, but the tea cup had gone untouched and if that idea that bounced around in his head had been true, the cake incident had put a damper on that. If that idea had been true, Phil couldn’t reconcile what he knew, what he thought, and the way the rabbit acted.

He yawned.

The rabbit didn’t know how long it had taken it to make it back to the cabins.

Days had passed or at least it thought. It had slept and drank water that made its belly hurt and ate food that made it hurt even more but kept going because it remembered what the pigman said. It would never get stronger unless it ate, unless it rested.

So it did but always with the looming specter of fear pushing it forward. It had to keep going. It had to do something to help his friend.

The rabbit paused to scratch its ear, wondering where that thought had come from. It wasn’t certain but it did know that it was true.

The air became colder, the ground had patches of snow, and the rabbit knew that it was close.

It sniffed the air.

There was the scent of burning spruce logs on the wind and it could see the lights in the distance, through the trees, reflecting off the snow. And that’s when it realized that it didn’t have a plan. Or that it had a plan but didn’t know how to go about it.

The rabbit knew what it had to do, knew that the people who had taken the pigman wanted it, knew that the broken wing man would do everything he could to get the pigman back and that wouldn’t be good. The rabbit could practically hear the pigman’s worries.

A note, it thought. If I leave a note, the broken wing man will know not to do anything.

How? Rabbits can’t leave notes. Rabbits can’t write, the voice reminded it.

The rabbit’s nose twitched and it began to dart towards the cabins, pausing at each offering of cover whether it be a rock or sweet berry bush. Each noise caused it to stand still, nothing moving except its heart still beating in its chest.

When it got to the cabins, relief washed over it. It hadn’t been caught. That was the first step.

You still haven’t figured out how to leave a note, idiot, the voice said and it was the same voice from its Dreams and the rabbit knew what it had to do.

It sighed.

The cell was one of many in a row and Techno didn’t think it was the same cell that Dream had been in. There was a distinctly unused feel to them. He wanted to pace but he had a feeling it wouldn’t be long until he had a visitor. Techno wasn’t stupid. Beneath him, the bed was uncomfortable to sit on – it was a straw filled mat placed over an iron frame bolted to the wall – and he was impatient.

His nose itched. There was dried blood on it from the fight and he rubbed a hand over his snout, about to groan aloud, when the sound of a door opening sounded from the direction he had been brought in. Techno straightened.

He could hear two sets of footsteps, could smell the familiar scent of Quackity and Sam. When they came into view, Techno smiled, stretching one leg out, doing his best to appear relaxed despite the cacophony of voices in his head.

“Is it lunch time already?” he asked. “It feels like I just got here, I wasn’t expectin’ you to come check on me so soon.”

“I wanted to have a little chat,” said Quackity as Sam unlocked the cell door, opening it so Quackity could slowly amble inside. “Just a little conversation, you know, man to man, to clear some things up.”

The cell door shut and even though Quackity flinched just slightly, he didn’t turn to look, not even when Sam locked it. Techno rubbed his hands over his knees.

“Y’know, that’s a great idea, Quackity, ‘cause there’s somethin’ that doesn’t add up,” he said. “How did you know the rabbit was Dream? He seemed pretty dang sure no one knew he could turn into a rabbit. I mean, it’s not exactly common, you and I’d know that.”

He gave a light chuckle and Quackity shrugged. 

“We have our ways, we have our ways…” The cell wasn’t large but Quackity managed to meander around it, stopping near Techno after a moment. “Ranboo’s kid is cute, huh? Ranboo and Tubbo told us all about your new pet.”

Inwardly, Techno groaned. He had told Phil to keep the rabbit’s existence quiet but never had done the same for Ranboo. It had completely slipped his mind.

“So you’re tellin’ me that you put two and two together just hearin’ about the rabbit?” asked Techno, forcing incredulity into his voice even though he had told Phil to keep quiet specifically because it’d take an idiot not to put two and two together.

In the hall, Sam snorted.

Annoyance passed over Quackity’s face and he moved to stand right in front of Techno.

“Seriously, Techno? You get a new little bunny that’s all beat up right at the same time Dream, the rabbit hybrid, escapes? Do you think I’m an idiot, Techno?”

Leaning back a little, Techno looked up at him.

“Well, I wasn’t gonna say it but yeah.”

The punch caught him off guard, hitting him right in the jaw, and Techno’s head rang. He should’ve seen that coming. The second punch didn’t surprise him at all, this one catching him in the snout. It took a moment for his vision to clear. He wanted to hit back but Sam was watching, in full netherite and a hand on a potion Techno recognized as a potion of weakness. If he did anything, he had a very good idea of what would happen.

“So you do treat all your prisoners this way,” he said. “I was wonderin’.”

Quackity grinned, ear to ear.

“Only special cases, only special cases. I’ll tell you what, though, if you tell us where Dream is, this will go a lot easier for you.”

Techno ran his tongue against his teeth and then spat blood on the ground.

“Let me guess, if I don’t you’re gonna torture me?” His voice lost the jovial tone, expression cold. “Like you did to Dream?”

Quackity’s smile didn’t falter as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out the shears. There were still flecks of blood on the blades.

“Exactly, Techno, exactly. And if that doesn’t work, we’ve got Phil under surveillance, maybe we bring him up here and see how quickly that works,” he said.

Techno glanced towards Sam, saw the flash of doubt at the mention of Phil’s name, and felt an odd sense of relief. They didn’t want to touch Phil. He was on better terms with the rest of the server and Sam probably guessed, rightly so, that they wouldn’t get away with it.

All Techno had to do then, was hold out.

“Sorry, I wasn’t listenin’,” he said. “What was the question again?”

Chapter Text

The sound of rustling at the door of his cabin jerked Phil out of his sleep. He hadn’t meant to nod off but he was tired. Tilting his head to the side, he listened and watched the door. At the bottom, where the door and the floor didn’t quite meet, he could see light. He could see movement. But it didn’t seem like a person standing there, the shadow was both too small and too… off.

It was just off.

Phil reached for his sword.

Outside, there was more rustling and something that sounded like scratching or tapping and he got to his feet. Both the noise and shadow on the other side of the door stopped. Phil frowned and then he took another two careful steps forward. The shadow vanished.

“Damn it,” he said and rushed forward, yanking the door open. Beneath his foot, paper crinkled but he ignored that in favor of scanning the area, trying to find any sign of who or what had been at his door. There were tracks in the snow that hadn’t been there before, at the base of the stairs. Phil crouched down and held his hand next to the tracks to judge the size.

His frown deepened. It looked like animal tracks. Like rabbit tracks.

Quickly, he stood and took the stairs back up the porch two at a time. In front of his door was a piece of paper and even from a distance he could see that something had been scrawled on it. He picked up the paper, stepping back inside and tilting the paper towards the light. 

In shaky, almost illegible script, it read, I’m going to get Techno. Stay here. He’ll be back.

“What the hell?”

The note made sense, given the situation. Whoever had written it clearly intended to rescue Techno and wanted Phil to keep out of it. Which was exactly what Techno would want, making Phil more inclined to trust the person that had written it had good intentions.

Then there were the tracks.

It had been rabbit foot prints, he was sure of that, but it made absolutely no sense. How could a rabbit leave a note? It couldn’t.

Unless—

Phil groaned.

That impossible idea that he had all but ruled out earlier was starting to look more and more likely.

“What the fuck is that little shit thinking?”

Dream was cold.

He was always cold these days and standing in front of the prison made him shiver uncontrollably. He wanted to die. It would have been better than this but he owed Techno. Part of him thought it had been canceled out, that he had saved Techno once and then Techno had returned that favor.

But Dream couldn’t leave it like that.

At least when they throw me back in that cell, I won’t be cold anymore, he thought and then laughed.

Even in the cell, with its wall of lava, he had been cold, the obsidian chilling him to the bone. Dream didn’t think he’d ever be warm again.

“Sam! If you want me, here I am,” he shouted and almost choked on the words, mouth full of spit and bile.

He didn’t have to wait long until Sam appeared, flanked by Ant and Bad. There was an expression too close to pity on Bad’s face. Dream looked away, forcing his mouth to curl into sneer, forcing himself to stand as straight as possible even though his ribs and hips and body still ached. Phantom pains from the memory of what had happened.

The second they took a step closer, Dream pressed the knife he had been holding, hidden from sight in the baggy sleeve of the borrowed shirt he wore, to his own throat.

“Don’t,” he said. Everyone froze in their places and he could see the anger in Sam’s eyes. “You want me alive, right, Sam? So, you’re going to listen to me first or I’ll slit my throat, right here.”

“Then talk,” said Sam.

Dream’s palm was sweaty and he was afraid the knife would slip right out of his grip the way the fork had at Techno’s kitchen table. He swallowed heavily.

“Let Techno go. If you want me, I’ll come quietly, but you’re going to let Techno go first or there’s no deal.”

Sam laughed, the sound distorted by his mask.

“Do you really think you’re in any position to be making demands?”

“Well,” Dream said, pressing the knife deeper into his skin. “I figure that if you want me alive, then you don’t really have a choice, do you?”

He could feel something hot and wet dripping down his neck and wondered if it was blood or sweat.  

There was hesitation in the way Sam glanced between Dream and the two guards, trying to determine if he thought they could take Dream before he got the chance to kill himself. If Dream was honest with himself, he would say yes, they could, but Sam didn’t know that. Sam didn’t want to find out, either, and that’s what Dream was counting on.

“Ant, Bad,” Sam barked finally and made a quick gesture with his hand. “Go get the other prisoner.”

Antfrost hesitated, slit pupils widening as he frowned.

“Are you sure we should—”

Sam cut him off.

“Do what I say, now.”

There was no more arguing. The two guards turned back into the prison.

All Dream could do was wait.

“Oh good,” said Techno as the door to his cell opened and Antfrost and Bad stepped inside. “I’ve been meanin’ to lodge a complaint about the service here.”

He kept his voice light, trying to hide the anxiety and fear. The beating had been no where as bad as what Quackity had done to Dream but there had been the very explicit implication that there would be more to come, that things would get worse. The shears had been coated with fresh blood when Quackity left and Techno fingers ached from the removal of a good chunk of his nails. All he could think of was what would happen next time.

Techno didn’t like that feeling and he couldn’t help but wonder how terrified Dream had been.

“Alright, come on, Techno,” Bad said. “It’s time to go.”

That fear and anxiety flared up.

“Go? Go where? I didn’t really think it’d be prison policy to have field trips or somethin’.”

“Just come on. Do you want to get out of here or not?” asked Ant.

Hesitating for a moment, Techno got to his feet. He doubted that they would say he was going to ‘get out of here’ if they were planning on doing something else and if they were planning on something else, where was Sam?

“Alright, alright,” he said, stretching a little with a groan that was genuine; it hurt to move. “Not my fault you don’t have ergonomic beds in here, my back is killin’ me.”

He followed Ant through the halls of the prison, Bad walking behind him too close for comfort. Instinct told him to fight, to do something, but Techno knew that would be foolish. The voices in his head seemed to agree for once.

When they got to the prison lobby, Techno felt himself relax, just a little. There had to be something more, they wouldn’t just let him go, not this easily, and he was already going through all the scenarios in his head. But if they got outside, then he had more of a chance.

Outside meant that he had space to work with and somewhere to run that wasn’t an obsidian hallway in a prison. The portal warbled as it brought the three of them through to the outside and Techno took a deep breath.

It caught in his throat as soon as his eyes adjusted to the sunlight.

Dream was standing there, in a shirt that was too big for him and a pair of pants that were stained on the knees. He was pale, ears back, with an expression that was too casual to be genuine. He held a knife to his throat, one single trail of blood that ended at his collarbone and caught in the light spattering of fur. His hand was shaking.

Sam turned to Techno.

“You’re free to go,” he said.

“Heh?” Techno didn’t move. “What the heck are you talkin’ about? Dream, what are you doin’?”

The panic was clear in Techno’s voice and he did nothing to try to hide it. Part of him had thought this might happen, had realized that there was one thing that would make Sam and the others willingly let him go but he didn’t think Dream would be the sort to do it.

“Dream, c’mon. C’mon, man, even you’re not this stupid,” he said, the words a plea, barely restrained begging.

Dream looked at Techno.

“I guess I am.”

The knife clattered to the ground.

“Take him,” said Sam.

In that brief window of time, Techno considered trying to stop what was happening but Dream moved his hands deliberately, knowing that Sam wouldn’t understand.

“Don’t,” he signed. “Please.”

Techno stood there and watched as they dragged him into the prison and a moment later, the purple glow from the portal vanished, leaving him alone in the silence.

Chapter Text

When the cabins came into view, the warm lights pouring from the windows and the smoke trailing up from the chimneys, Techno had thought he would feel a sense of relief but all he felt was tired. He swayed on his feet as he took a deep breath and climbed up the stairs, trying to decide if he should go to Phil’s door first or not. He wanted to sit down in his chair and tend to his wounds but he wanted to see his friend, to put his arms around him and hold him for a moment.

The choice was made for him as the door to Phil’s cabin was thrown open. Techno barely had the time to turn to face Phil before he was thrown off balance as Phil wrapped him into a hug. There were no words, just Techno returning the hug, careful not to crush Phil’s bandaged wings in the process, burying his snout into Phil’s shoulder. He could have stood there like that all day but it was getting late and it was cold, dark clouds blowing in on the horizon.

“Hey, Phil, how’s it goin’?” he asked, trying to sound casual but his voice cracked and he rubbed a hand over his face, blinking rapidly. “I mean, ha.”

Phil shook his head.

“Come on, mate, let’s get you inside,” said Phil, rubbing his hand against Techno’s back. “It’s alright now.”

With a sigh, Techno pulled the door open and headed immediately to his rocking chair. The fire had died down and he didn’t feel like getting back up to relight it. The residual heat in the cabin was enough now that the door had been closed.

“Want me to start up the fire, mate?” asked Phil, grabbing a blanket that been draped over the back of the other chair. He spread it out over Techno’s lap, carefully shooing his hands away when Techno tried to do it himself. “It’s a bit chilly.”

“You’re a mind reader, Phil, I was just thinkin’ about that,” he said. “That dang prison is like a furnace.”

Looking up from where he was crouched in front of the fireplace, putting new logs on in a vague pyramid shape, Phil frowned. There was worried painted all over his face and he finally asked the question he had been trying to avoid, for Techno’s sake.

“Jesus christ, mate, are you alright? You look like someone beat the shit out of you.”

The flint and steel sent out sparks, catching onto the kindling and bursting into small flames. Phil fanned it, waiting until more had caught to stand back up.

“Eh, you know Quackity,” said Techno. “He’s not exactly the best conversationalist, despite all the talkin’ he does.”

“I’m going to kill that bastard.” Phil sat down across from him, on the edge of his chair. The worry still hadn’t faded; if anything it had deepened. “Sam, too.”

“Not gonna lie, Phil, I think that might be exactly what I’m gonna do,” he said.

There was something missing in the room and when Techno’s gaze fell onto the empty basket, he knew what it was. He missed that stupid rabbit and he couldn’t get the image of Dream’s face out of his mind and how much terror had been in his eyes. He rubbed a hand over his face with a shudder.

“How the hell did you get out?”

Techno frowned. The truth was complicated, it would mean having to explain everything that happened since the day he had brought home the rabbit and he wasn’t sure that he could. His shoulders rose in a slight shrug as he weighed his options.

“Someone left this at my door, pushed it half under the other day,” said Phil, getting back up and handing Techno the note. He patted his jacket until he found the right pocket then handed Techno his glasses as well. “One of the lenses is cracked but ought to be an easy fix.”

“Thanks, Phil,” Techno said, unfolding the note. He didn’t even need to read the words to know who it was from but the words confirmed his thoughts. “Huh.”

“There’s coordinates on the bottom, haven’t gotten a chance to figure out where they lead to.”

Techno had a feeling he knew where they would lead but he would have to check to be certain. 

“Huh,” he repeated.

Sitting back down, Phil rested his elbow on his knee, watching Techno closely.

“Weirdest part was there were no tracks I could find except for the rabbit’s. The porch was clean so there wouldn’t have been anything there but I saw rabbit tracks in the snow right in front of the porch,” he said.

Techno leaned back into his chair, rocking it as far back as it would go and looked up at the ceiling. Beneath his blood stained and raw fingers, the note felt cold and worn.

“Listen, Phil, it’s a bit complicated,” Techno said finally.

“It’s him, isn’t it.” The pieces had been there the entire time but the conclusion had been so outlandish that Phil couldn’t bring himself to put them together. Now there was no denying what the big picture added up to. “The rabbit is Dream.”

“I know how it looks, Phil, alright, but I couldn’t just hand him back over to them, I couldn’t,” he said. In the end it hadn’t mattered, though, because Dream was right back in that prison and Techno didn’t like thinking about what might be happening to him. “It was—”

Phil lifted a hand.

“All those injuries, did Sam and Quackity do that to him?”

“As far as I can tell, yeah. He wasn’t really all that talkative, said about five dang words the whole time, but from what he did say… They were torturin’ him in there, Phil.”

“Jesus fucking—Torture? So they cut his damn ear off, then? And everything else,” Phil said, not a question, but him taking stock of all the injuries he had seen. The busted jaw and teeth, the missing toes, and all the other injuries took on a completely new meaning. “So he left the note which means…”

Phil trailed off, waiting for Techno to give him the last piece of the puzzle that he hadn’t figured out.

“Yeah. The dang idiot went and traded himself so they’d let me out,” he said. His shoulders sagged under the weight of that knowledge. Techno hated it. “I really don’t want to think about the implications of that, Phil, I’ll be honest.”

“No shit.” Pinching the bridge of his nose, Phil realized that he had made up his mind about what he was going to do as soon as he had figured out who wrote that note and why. “I guess we need to break the little shit out of there, huh. You have any idea what the coordinates are about?”

Techno blinked, surprise on his features as he looked at Phil, considering.

“I mean, I’m pretty sure that I know where it leads, but I don’t have a clue as to why he wants me to go there,” said Techno.

“Well, we can find out after you’ve gotten some rest. You should take a healing potion or something, mate, you look like shit.”

“Aw, thanks Phil. You’re so sweet.” When Techno spoke next the sarcasm had left his voice. “Y’know, you don’t have to do this, Phil. You don’t have to help if you don’t want to.”

“I know, mate, and I might’ve thought about not helping but—” He trailed off. The rabbit had been Dream, the whole time. It had been Dream that had bitten him for trying to feed him mashed potatoes and it had been Dream that had tolerated Michael petting him with sticky hands and carrying him around. Phil thought that had to count for something. “I got to admit, I think the mangy beast was starting to grow on me.”

“See? What did I tell you and you thought I was just bein’ a sucker. He’s got that cute little bunny nose and everythin’. He hates it, too, if you call him cute,” said Techno.

“Is that why you kept calling him cute?” Phil asked, laughing. He already knew the answer.

“Oh, definitely. He’d get so mad and then sit there, poutin’ about it.”

Phil shook his head.

“Some villain of the server.”

A huff of laughter escaped Techno.

“I mean, basically everyone hates him so he must be doin’ something right,” he said.

“Yeah—” Phil leaned back, stretching his legs out in front of him. “I can’t say I don’t hate him a little for all the things I’ve heard but people can change and no one deserves to be tortured, that much I know for damn sure.”

“You’re not wrong, Phil.” Techno looked at the basket again. Before, if someone had asked him if Dream could change, he wouldn’t have had an answer to that. Now he thought that Dream could change, that he had changed, just not in the way it should’ve happened. He deserved to have a chance to change, the right way. “You’re not wrong but I need to get some sleep, man. I’m exhausted.”

Phil gave him a soft smile, shaking his head slightly.

“You look exhausted, mate. You want one of those healing potions? I had nothing better to do so I brewed a bunch,” he said, getting up. His knees creaked. “Maybe a cup of tea before bed?”

“Y’know what, Phil? That sounds perfect.”

Chapter Text

Dream had gone quietly.

He had gone through the portals and the process of being locked into Pandora’s Vault without a word, staring down at the ground. He had stripped when he was told to and put on the orange jumpsuit that hung on him loosely. It had been sized when he had first been locked up and he had lost almost all the weight he used to carry, an awful reminder of the passing of time. Dream followed all the instructions Sam gave him, trying not to invoke any of the warden’s wrath.

It wasn’t until he was standing across the lava lake with the main cell on the other side that Dream felt the panic flare up, breaking through that wall of resignation that he had built. His feet were stuck to the ground, unable to move despite Sam’s commands. The words were lost on Dream and he trembled.

“You listen to me when I speak,” Sam hissed, grabbing his arm and Dream blinked.

Had Sam spoken to him? He didn’t even know. All he knew was that he couldn’t go back into that cell. If he did, Dream knew what would happen. He knew the pain that was awaiting him. Without looking at Sam, he shook his head.

The grip on his arm tightened until it was so painful that Dream thought his bone would snap and his knees began to give out, his vision going white around the edges. Then the sound of the bridge hitting the side of the platform filled the room and the pain stopped.

“This is your last chance, Dream. Move or I’ll make you move.”

Dream glanced up.

“Are you going—Are you going to let Quackity torture me?” he asked.

Anger flashed in Sam’s eyes and his hand shot out quicker than Dream could even react to, grabbing him by his ears. Without a word, with no answer, Sam began dragging him onto the bridge, activating it. Even on the moving platform, he didn’t let go of Dream’s ears, forcing him down onto his knees. When the platform made it to the main cell, Sam dragged him in, past the netherite barrier and tossed him into the cell.

The silence carried as Sam raised the barrier and stepped back onto the platform.

Dream hadn’t been expecting an answer but he supposed this was one.

There was no way to tell time in the prison cell, not anymore.

His clock was gone and Ranboo hadn’t come to visit in so long that Dream couldn’t even remember the last visit, as much as he tried to. Dream wanted to remember but his memories were blurred together, some didn’t even feel like his memories but the memories of someone else, someone that he didn’t know.

(It was the rabbit, he knew that, he did, but Dream didn’t want to think about it or what that meant for him and his mental state. Dream also knew that it wasn’t good.)

Part of him hoped that Quackity wouldn’t visit this soon, wondered if this even was soon, when the lava began to descend. Dream curled himself into the corner. His eyes flicked from the floor to the bridge and back and forth, heart beating so quickly that he thought it would explode in his chest.

He could hear the sound of wood being dragged across stone and Dream pressed his hands over his ears, closing his eyes and trying to pretend that what was happening, wasn’t.

You did this to yourself, he thought. You didn’t have to come back.

It was true and somehow that made it worse.

“Hey, Dream, long time no see, pal,” said Quackity.

Dream dug his fingers into his ears, squeezing his eyes closed even tighter, and bit his tongue, trying to hold back the unwanted pleas that bubbled up in his throat.

“Aw, come on, aren’t you happy to see me? I mean, you came back on your own, so I have to assume that you missed me.”

He came to stop in front of Dream.

“So did you?” he asked. Something cold and sharp was pressed against his chin. Even without looking, Dream knew it was the axe. “You’re not being very polite here, Dreamie. It seems like I’m going to have to teach you some manners.”

The axe dug into his skin and Quackity used it to force Dream’s head up. Dream finally opened his eyes, hands hovering uncertainly near the side of his head, as far away from the axe as he could get. His mouth was dry and it hurt when he swallowed.

“I—I don’t know—I don’t know what y-you want me to say.”

Quacktiy pressed the axe even harder against Dream’s throat, digging it up into the bottom of his chin. The back of Dream’s head hit the wall and he had to use his hands to stop himself from sliding forward and cutting himself on the blade.

“You really did forget your manners,” said Quackity, the grin on his face cold and malicious. “What are you supposed to say?”

It felt like a trick question and Dream licked his lips.

“I—I’m sorry, sir.”

That’s what he wanted, wasn’t it? It had always been what he wanted. Dream waited. The axe pressed harder once more and then dropped. Quackity shoved one hand into his pocket and grinned.

“See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” he asked. “But it looks like we have some work to do, don’t we, Dream? Well, get up.”

Dream blinked, the confusion clear on his face.

“What—”

“I said, get up, Dream.” Quackity gestured to the chair that was behind him. It hadn’t been cleaned since the last time it was used. “Now.”

He knew that tone and knew if he didn’t do what he was told, it would be worse for him in the end, but Dream wasn’t sure he could stand.

“I can’t,” he said, stuttering over the words. “I can’t, sir.”

“Tsk, tsk. You can’t even do something so simple.” Quackity shook his head, hefting the axe up onto his shoulder. Digging his fingers into Dream’s hair, Quackity jerked him towards him. It caused Dream to pitch forward and he barely caught himself with his hands. He pulled him to the chair and shoved him into it. “That’s okay, Dream. We’ve got plenty of time for a few lessons.”

Dream didn’t resist as Quackity strapped him into the chair. It was useless at this point, he knew what was coming and there was no way to stop it. He felt dizzy. The leather straps cut into his wrists and ankles uncomfortably.

Leaning against the lectern, Quackity dug out his pack of cigarettes, stuck one between his lips, and lit it. He took a long drag, slowly blowing the smoke up towards the low ceiling of the cell. It hung there. Dream felt sweat beading on his forehead.

“Where do you think we should start?” asked Quackity as he took a few meandering steps towards Dream. “Hm?”

“I don’t know, sir,” he said, trying to lean away from Quackity even as he sat on the arm of the chair, trapping Dream’s arm beneath his thigh. It hurt and Dream grimaced.

With his free hand, Quackity brushed Dream’s hair away from his forehead. It was a touch that Dream couldn’t protest and he hated that. It was a gentle touch and it made what Dream knew was coming all the more worse. Using his other hand, Quackity moved the cigarette closer to Dream’s face. His chest rose and fell quickly, trying not to move. He could feel the heat of the cigarette on his skin, making his eyes water.

It hovered near his eye until Dream thought he was going to pass out from the anxiety of what might happen.

Then Quackity pressed the cigarette into his skin, right beneath the corner of Dream’s eye.

It hurt but Dream was silent, tears running down his cheeks. Quackity looked at his cigarette with an expression of disinterest. He shifted where he sat, the motion causing Dream’s arm to be pressed awkwardly against the edge of the chair’s arm. He gritted his teeth.

“Open your mouth, Dream,” said Quackity, the same disinterest in his voice.

Dream looked at him, confused and horrified, all the possibilities running through his head.

Quackity leaned closer, hand still on his forehead and digging his nails into Dream’s skin. There was a moment of hesitation and then Dream did what he was asked, opening his mouth slightly. As soon as he did, Quackity shoved the cigarette into his mouth and then held his chin, forcing his mouth closed.

The taste of paper and tobacco and ashes made Dream gag and he struggled in the chair, trying to spit it out but not able to, drool leaking from the corners of his mouth.

“Swallow it.”

Dream shook his head. If he did that, he would vomit.

With both his hands, Quackity slammed his head into the back of the chair, still holding Dream’s mouth shut, and then he did it again, and again. Dream choked and then did as he was told, swallowing the cigarette. It stuck in his throat and when Quackity let go of his face, he coughed violently, spit dripping from his lips.

“You know, it’s rude not to thank your host for the meal,” he said, reaching into his pocket. There was a familiar flash of silver as Quackity opened the switch blade. He pressed the tip of the knife into the soft flesh of Dream’s cheek. “What do you say, Dream?”

“T-thank you, sir,” said Dream and he could still taste the ashes on his tongue.

“You’re welcome, Dream.” Quackity patted his other cheek, gently at first but it turned into a slap that drove his face into the blade. Laughing, he got to his feet and stood in front of Dream. “Whoops. I guess that’s a sign we should get started, huh?”

Dream stared at him, blood dripping down his cheek and the spit on his chin only now beginning to dry.

“Get—Get started?” he asked, voice trembling.

Quackity grinned and his gold tooth glinted like the knife.

Chapter Text

“Is Techno still not around?” asked Ranboo, bending down to pick up Michael who had suddenly decided that he didn’t want to walk on his own up the last two stairs of the porch. Ranboo’s tail dragged through the snow. “I thought I saw him the other day but I didn’t have time to come over and say hi.”

Phil had dragged a stool out onto the porch, sitting above the pond, whittling a piece of wood as he watched the horizon for any sign of Techno’s return. He hadn’t been watching the direction towards Ranboo’s house as that wasn’t the direction Techno had left. Getting up, he slipped his knife into his belt and the block of wood into his pocket. Wood shavings fell to the floor.

“Hey, mate,” he said, brushing his pants off. “He should be back sometime soon. Not sure when, but he had to go take care of something.”

Phil winced, realizing how dodgy he sounded, like he was hiding something from them and he supposed that he was.

“Oh. Huh.” Ranboo shifted Michael in his arms, patting the toddler on the bum. “Is everything, like, okay? Because it seems a little strange that he’s just been gone for so long. Usually you have to drag him out of his house.”

“Yeah, things have been…” Phil waved a hand, not sure how to explain everything.  

Nodding, Ranboo looked around. They knew that something was wrong but it was clear that Phil either couldn’t or didn’t want to tell them what it was. Michael tugged at his suit jacket’s lapel, getting his attention.

“See bunny now?” he asked.

“Oh, well, uh, I can ask,” they said. “Michael here wants to see the bunny.”

With a sigh, Phil’s shoulders sagged. He had been afraid of that, as soon as he had seen that Michael was with Ranboo.

Oblivious to the clear discomfort, Michael pulled out a slightly squished carrot from the depths of his overalls and held it out.

“You better just come inside for this, mate,” said Phil after a moment, reaching out to ruffle the short, bristle-like pink hair on Michael’s head, before he opened the door to Techno’s cabin. “His place is more child proof than mine.”

“Yeah, that makes sense,” Ranboo said and there was no trace of sarcasm in his voice, merely genuine agreement. If anyone who didn’t have a child would have a babyproof home, it would be Techno. They followed Phil inside and set Michael down as soon as the door was shut behind them. “So, uh, what’s going on?”

Phil gave them a pat on the shoulder as he passed, stoking the fire and trying not to look at the empty basket. It wasn’t his secret to tell but he wasn’t sure what else he could do, how else he could explain it without explaining who the rabbit was. Next to him, Michael had toddled over and looked in the basket, lifting the blanket as if he thought the rabbit might be hiding beneath it.

“Sorry, kid, the bunny isn’t here right now,” he said, crouching down to get on Michael’s level. “I don’t know when it’s going to be back.”

Michael frown, snout quivering as he looked around, and then he headed over to the bookshelf. Laying flat on his stomach he looked under it, just in case Phil was lying or the rabbit was playing a trick on them all. When there was no bunny, Michael was forced to believe that Phil was telling the truth and the bunny was gone.

He sniffed and wiped his nose on his sleeve before turning to his dad.

“Why bunny gone?”

“My sign language is shit, mate,” said Phil to Ranboo.

“Uh, he, uh, wants to know why the rabbit isn’t here.”

Phil’s wings drooped, the bedraggled feathers touching the floor. That was the question he had been dreading as it made avoiding the question of why the rabbit was so important even harder to avoid. He rocked back a little on his heels before getting up.

“You know how the bunny was all hurt?” he asked Michael. The toddler nodded. “The people who hurt the bunny came back because they wanted to hurt it again so it ran away. Techno is working on making it safe for the bunny to come back but—”

The rabbit might not come back at all and even if it did, there was no telling what condition it would be in. There was no telling what they would have done to Dream. Phil would have thought they would kill him but Techno seemed certain that wouldn’t be the case and it left a sour taste in Phil’s mouth.

“But it might not come back, right, Phil?”

Looking up at Ranboo, he nodded.

“Yeah, it might not come back.”

It took a moment for Michael to process all that and when he did, tears welled up in his eyes. The bunny wasn’t Chicken but it had been a nice bunny and it was soft and it hopped around all silly and Michael was sad he might never see it again.

“But Techno is really going to try to get it back,” said Phil quickly. It had been a long time since he had dealt with a crying baby and he really didn’t fancy doing it again, right now. “Ask your dad, Techno is real good at getting animals back.”

Michael tilted his head slightly, the tears trailing down his cheeks but there were no more following, and he looked over at his dad.

“Oh, yeah, it’s true. Once he made me stay with his polar bear until we could rescue it,” they said, nodding enthusiastically. “I’m sure he’ll do everything that he can.”

The reassurance seemed to calm Michael and he began chewing on the carrot absent-mindedly as he looked around the room. Without the bunny there wasn’t much to do and he could feel himself getting bored already. It was the sort of boredom that happened when you expected to be doing one thing and ended up doing nothing. He wiped away a string of drool.

“You want to go play with the dogs?” Phil asked. “They could use an excuse to run around. You can throw them a ball, how does that sound?”

It sounded a lot better than standing here, chewing on a carrot with a bit of sweater lint on it, being bored. He nodded, already heading towards the door.

Michael was having a lot of fun with the dogs.

There were a lot of them and they were all very fluffy and very excited to see him and even more excited when they saw Phil give him the ball, all falling over each other to lick him and wag their tails in excitement. He was having a lot of fun and when he noticed that his dad and Phil had wandered out of ear shot, looking extremely serious, he decided that it wasn’t something he was interested in.

“So,” said Ranboo, watching Michael attempt to throw the ball only to drop it at his feet and have to fight three dogs for it. “What’s actually going on?”

Phil sighed and rubbed a hand over his head, dislodging his hat. He readjusted it, tilting the brim down.

“That’s all true. The rabbit is gone because the people who maimed it like that came back and Techno is trying to find a way to get it back,” he said.

“Yeah, but like. Why? Why is this rabbit so important?” Their tail wrapped around their leg. “I mean, it makes sense for Techno, but anyone else?”

Leaning against the fence, Phil watched as Michael played with the dogs. It wasn’t his secret to tell, no, but intentional or not, Ranboo’s son was involved now and Phil could only think that he had a right to know. He thought Techno would agree.

“It’s not just a rabbit, mate,” he said finally, scratching at his beard.

“What? What do you mean, it’s not just a rabbit?”

“It’s Dream.”

Ranboo flinched and their tongue flicked out, running over their eyes a few times.

“Dream? The rabbit is Dream? Like, actually Dream?” they asked, voice cracking.

“Believe me, mate, I was as shocked as you.”

Wringing their hands together, Ranboo watched Michael for a moment and then looked back to Phil. There was an odd mixture of emotions on their face; fear, confusion, and sadness.

“Are you sure, Phil? Really sure it’s him? Because like, I watched my son play with that rabbit.”

“I didn’t see it for myself but that’s what Techno said. And someone left a note on my porch when there were only rabbit tracks,” said Phil with a shrug. “Plus it was Sam and Quackity that were looking for the rabbit. I don’t know why else they would.”

“Oh boy.”

Phil nodded solemnly.

“Oh boy. Phil, I told Sam about the rabbit,” they said, a sudden realization hitting Ranboo. “He’s been watching the portals and was there when we went to meet Tubbo.”

A sigh escaped Phil. He had thought something like that had to have happened. Reaching out, Phil put his hand on Ranboo’s arm, squeezing gently.

“It’s not your fault, mate. They would’ve figured it out eventually. Hell, they came here stomping around a few times in the first place,” he said.

“Yeah. I guess that’s true,” they said. “So. Sam and Quackity, huh? Were they the reason the rabbit was, you know, like that?”

“Sure were. Apparently those bastards were torturing him and I can’t say I’m okay with that, even if their excuse is it’s Dream. I saw that rabbit when Techno first brought it home, the thing was half dead.”

Ranboo gave a low whistle as they shook their head.

“You know, it’s like I can believe that Dream’s apparently a rabbit and was tortured but it’s really hard to believe he, like, put up with Michael feeding him that cake. I mean, that was disgusting.”

That made Phil laugh, loud enough that the dogs and Michael paused in their playing to glance over for a moment.

“You should’ve seen the little bows Techno put on his ears, mate. I thought it was just Techno being Techno but in hindsight the whole thing is damn hilarious.”

“How mad do you think Dream was?”

“Oh, I guarantee he was fucking pissed. Hell, he bit me once for trying to feed him mashed potatoes, I know for a fact that he let Techno know he was unhappy,” he said.

Ranboo snorted.

“Oh, I believe it.” They looked over at him. “So. What’s the plan?”

“Right now? Wait for Techno and then we’ll see. Then we’ll see.”

They didn’t have to wait long.

By the time Phil had put the dogs up and Michael had drank the hot chocolate made for him and fallen asleep on the floor in front of the fireplace, Techno was trudging across the lawn. The half moon and the stars reflecting off the snow made the night bright and clear. Techno could see the mess of footprints in the yard, could smell the scent of wet dog and wet baby piglin and death.

The lights were dimmed in the cabin and he opened the door quietly, peeking inside before he closed the door behind him. The only person in the main room was Michael, sprawled out on the floor, limbs twisted in ways that only small children and cats would find comfortable. More light and the sound of hushed chatter came from the kitchen.

“Hullo,” he said as he entered, waving a hand. “Nice to see you kept everything warm for me.”

Phil turned from where he was leaning against the counter and grinned, moving to pull Techno into a brief hug.

“Yeah, that was totally on purpose,” said Ranboo.

Reaching out, Techno griped their shoulder and gave them a slight shake.

“Well, I appreciate it, man.” He sat down on one of the empty stools with a groan. “That took longer than I thought it would but—Anyway, I’m back and I’m gonna sleep for at least three days.”

Phil had already put a kettle on and had pulled out another mug. At Techno’s words, he gave a quiet sigh, looking to see the vague unease on Ranboo’s face. They knew about why Techno had been gone, about everything, but Techno didn’t know that. He was still operating under the belief he had to keep things from Ranboo. Phil rubbed his shoulder.

“About that, mate,” he said. “Ranboo knows. They came over, wanting to see the bunny, and I had to tell them. It’s their kid, it just didn’t seem right otherwise.”

“It’s fine, Phil, it’s fine.” Techno waved a hand dismissively. He looked tired. “I was tryin’ to figure out the best way to do that myself but then I got thrown in jail so plans kinda had to change, just a bit.”

Ranboo snorted in amusement.

“Anyway,” continued Techno. “I’m sorry, Ranboo, man, I just didn’t know what else to do. I swear, if I thought he was gonna do anything to Michael, I wouldn’t have let him around.”

“Oh, yeah, I know. I mean, I can’t say I was too happy to find out but I know you wouldn’t,” they said. “It’s actually kinda funny now that I think of it, so.”

A loud laugh escaped Techno, punctuated by the sound of the kettle whistling.

“Oh, you should’ve seen him afterwards, he was so dang mad, stompin’ his little feet all over the place. Didn’t know rabbits threw temper tantrums.”

“You know, that actually sounds just like Dream,” said Ranboo and didn’t really know why or why they knew it was true, just that it was. They shifted a bit uncomfortably in the chair.

“You’ve got that right, mate.” Phil set the mug of hot tea down in front of Techno, the scent of chamomile and honey in the air. “So, you find what he wanted you to?”

“I did, I did,” he said, wrapping his hands around the mug. His fingers were still cold. “Blueprints to the prison. That idiot left them at the first place we met.”

Shaking his head, Techno looked down at the mug. The fact Dream had thought of that day, so far in advance and hid the blueprints there meant something but Techno wasn’t sure of what. Or he had an idea but it didn’t make sense. Dream had said they weren’t friends and Techno had no reason not to believe him and yet—

“Should probably look at them in the morning,” Phil was saying, “when we’re not so damn tired. I don’t know about you, but I can barely think straight.”

“Yeah.” Drawing out the word, Ranboo glanced towards the main room. “Yeah, because like, if we’re going to be planning a prison break, I’d really like to do it when my son isn’t sleeping in the other room.”

“Fair enough,” said Phil, chuckling.

Techno blinked, his cup halfway to his mouth when he paused, and stared at Ranboo for a moment.

“Heh? Ranboo, you don’t have to get involved, neither of you do. This is my responsibility. I’m the one that owes Dream and I can’t just let him get tortured, not knowin’ the kind of thing that goes on in that place,” he said.

“Like hell you’re doing this alone.” Shaking his head, Phil nudged the leg of Techno’s stool with his foot. “I may not like the little shit but I’m not going to let you go alone and I’m not going to let those bastards keep torturing him.”

“I mean, yeah, and Michael is going to be real upset if we don’t bring the bunny back, so, I kind of have to help,” Ranboo said with a shrug. He pushed himself back from the table, making enough room to unfold his legs. “But I would any way.”

“Thanks, Ranboo.” Techno reached over and put his hand on top of theirs. “I mean it, man.”

“Someone ought to fill Niki in on the situation,” said Phil. “I can head out that way in the morning and let her know what’s going on.”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea, Phil, that’s a good idea.” Techno yawned and then took a long drink of his tea. Some of the honey had settled to the bottom and he swirled it a little.

“I’ll come, too. I mean, the whole reason I brought Michael out here is back in prison and apparently a rabbit so, you know. It’d be better for him to be back in Snowchester.”

Setting the cup down, Techno nodded.

“I couldn’t agree more,” he said. “I really don’t think this is good for a baby, y’know?”

There was a pause as Techno took another drink. His eyes felt heavy, as did his shoulders and his heart, though he’d never admit the latter out loud. When he had taken the rabbit in, this isn’t how he thought it would go.

“You can stay here tonight. No need to wake up the baby in the middle of the night.”

Techno thought that it would be good to have company.

Chapter Text

Dream hadn’t moved in what felt like hours.

His skin stuck to the obsidian floor, tacky with drying blood, and his fur and hair were matted. Every part of him hurt and he knew that he could find a more comfortable position, could use some of the water to wash away the blood but he was afraid to move.

The voice in the back of his head told him that if he just didn’t move, if he was just still enough, then he wouldn’t attract attention and they wouldn’t come back.

Or maybe he was just too tired to move.

His ear twitched.

In the distance, he could hear the sound of the prison coming to life, the gears moving as the redstone was activated. Not close, not yet, but someone was making their way towards the main cell. Dream let out a shuddering breath. He hoped it was Sam. If it was Sam, then there would be no torture, just cutting words and disdain and the occasional grip that was tight enough to bruise or a kick to get him to move or—

A laugh bubbled up in his throat and he choked on it.

This was what he had been reduced to and it was all his doing. Dream thought the worst part was he couldn’t even remember what the point had been, what his plan had been.

He heard the hiss of lava as it began to lowering, hitting the air with a pop and a crackle. He stared up at the ceiling and wished he was dead.

(Except that wasn’t true, Dream didn’t wish he was dead, he wished for something that made his heart hurt worse than all the injuries that still littered his body, he wished he was back at the beginning of this world with his friends, he wished he was back at the cabin in the snow, where it was warm and safe and if the rabbit could go there again, it wouldn’t even bite the pigman if he put bows on its ears.)

The orange light flickered against the walls as the lava lowered. A moment later, Dream heard the sound of the pistons. He didn’t look. He already knew what was coming.

Maybe if I don’t move, Quackity will get bored, he thought and was sure that he had thought something similar before.

It wouldn’t work.

Techno had been pouring over the blue prints for hours.

He had tried to sleep but found that he couldn’t, tossing and turning until he had given up. The blue prints were spread out over the kitchen table that had been cleared of clutter except for a lantern, some pencils and two mugs. Techno had made himself a cup of tea and out of habit had made a second one.

Leaning back, Techno looked at the plans and then looked towards the window. Light was coming over the horizon and he could see light pouring from Phil’s cabin, out onto the snow. He would be up and getting ready to leave with Ranboo and Michael. Techno thought about staying up to say goodbye but exhaustion was beginning to overtake him.

The blue prints had been left for a reason, a reason that Dream never got to act on, and the coordinates had been hastily scrawled, an after thought. Techno could use them in the way Dream had probably intended but the circumstances were much different now, weren’t they?

A plan was forming in his head but it was a very dangerous and stupid one and Techno decided he needed to sleep on it. He turned the knob on the lantern all the way down and stood. It was one more day and there was nothing he could do about that.

“So, I’ve been thinking, Dream,” said Quackity in the same tone that someone would suggest going out for lunch. His shirt was splattered with blood, red on white, the cuffs almost fully red. The knife in his hand was just as bloody. “That’s a pretty neat trick you have, being able to turn into a cute little bunny. You were able to fool Techno. That’s something.”

Dream stared blankly at him. There was blood in his mouth. He could taste it, hot and metallic. Dream wasn’t sure how it had gotten in his mouth because Quackity been cutting his arms and stomach, just enough to bleed but not enough to cause him to pass out.

Had he tricked Techno? Dream didn’t think he had but now he found himself doubting that. Would Techno have sheltered him if he hadn’t grown attached to what he thought was just a rabbit? Dream wanted to think the answer was yes but he couldn’t be certain. Not anymore.

He said nothing as Quackity approached him, slipping the blade of the knife under the leather strap that kept Dream bound to the chair. The blade dug into his skin.

“I want you to show me. Oh, don’t worry, Sam already found that one teeny half slab you were able to squeeze through and covered it up.”

“I don’t—What do you want?” Dream asked.

“I already told you, Dream.” With his other hand, Quackity reached up and tugged on Dream’s ear, twisting it slightly. “You can still hear, can’t you? I want you to show me how you do your rabbit trick. Is it magic or what?”

Dream’s nose twitched, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he looked anywhere but at Quackity.

“I’m—I’m just like this, I don’t know what you want,” he said.

Anger crossed his face and Quackity twisted Dream’s ear harder, digging his nails into the soft, fur covered flesh.

“Do I look like I’m stupid, Dream? Huh? Do I?” he asked, twisting harder until Dream thought he was going to pull his ear off. “You can do something the rest of us can’t.”

As if to emphasize his point, Quackity ruffled his feathers, the small wings on his shoulder blades rising. He let go of Dream’s ear and slid the blade of the knife against his wrist.

“So show me.”

“I—” Dream swallowed. Moments ago his mouth had been filled with blood but now it was dry, making it hard for him to speak. He didn’t want to do what Quackity was asking of him. The idea of being even more vulnerable than he was now sat poorly with him. It had been different with Techno. Dream couldn’t articulate why, just that it had been. Quackity would use this as another way to hurt him, he knew that much. “I can’t do it tied up like this.”

It wasn’t exactly a lie; he might have been able to physically but Dream wasn’t certain and that uncertainty was like a mental block.

Quackity narrowed his eyes and then shrugged.

“Fine. Fine by me,” he said, laughing. “It’s not like you can go anywhere, Dream, so if you thought that would get you out of this, you were wrong.”

He pulled the knife away, cutting Dream’s wrist as he did so. Once he had put it away, he began undoing the straps that held Dream to the chair.

In his chest, Dream’s heart was fluttering rapidly, out of rhythm. He didn’t want to do this. There were so many more ways that Quackity could hurt him but if he didn’t, then Quackity would hurt him. It almost made him laugh because each option led to the same thing; he would be tortured.

After all, Quackity hadn’t made him scream yet this session and Dream knew he wouldn’t leave until he got what he wanted. Dream rubbed his wrist, fingers smearing the blood across his skin, ears laying back against his skull. 

“I’m waiting, Dream.”

Resignation crossed Dream’s face as he sank back into the chair and pulled his legs up to his chest. There was no magic to it like Quackity had thought. It was just part of who Dream was, who he had always been. He thought that maybe, maybe because it was his server, it was different for him. The change was just like changing clothes in a way. He just had to think about it, think about that part of him. Sometimes it hurt, as the bones shortened and twisted and changed, especially now that his body had been battered.

The rabbit hunched down in the chair that smelled like blood, holding as still as it possibly could, the whites of its eyes visible as it watched the man.

Dream knew that whatever Quackity planned would hurt but there was a strange comfort in being able to let go, to go somewhere else in his mind and let the rabbit take over. They were the same, they had always been the same, but ever since Dream had been locked away in this prison, a fracture had occurred. Like a wedge had been driven between the two parts and he didn’t know if he would ever feel whole again.

The rabbit wanted to run but there was no where to go. It remembered this place and it knew the hole it had escaped from was gone. Dream knew that.  

Quackity reached out and grabbed the rabbit by the scruff of its neck, holding it up. In a panic, it began to kick, partly because the sensation of not having its legs on solid ground was terrifying and partly because Dream knew something awful was coming.

“Well, would you look at that,” said Quackity, turning the rabbit different directions to examine it. “You really do just change, don’t you? The clothes don’t even come with you. That’s kind of fucking embarrassing, Dream.”

Dream stopped kicking, going limp in Quackity’s grasp. There was no reason to struggle, it wouldn’t accomplish anything, and besides, the rabbit was tired.

“Can you talk like this?” When there was no answer, Quackity shrugged, moving his hand so the rabbit swung back and forth. “I guess not, huh. I think…”

Still holding the rabbit, Quackity began rifling through the case of tools he brought with him. He pulled out the shears. As soon as Dream saw them, he had a horrible idea of what was going to happen, and the rabbit began to kick and twist again.

“I always wanted a lucky rabbit’s foot,” said Quackity.

It took a moment for Dream to fully process those words, for those rabbit instincts to understand that Dream’s horrible idea of what was going to happen was right, and by that time, Quackity had pinned the rabbit to the chair with one hand. Using the other hand, he placed the shears on one of Dream’s hind legs.

“I’d hold still, Dreamie, if you want this to be a clean cut.”

Dream stopped struggling. His side rose and fell rapidly as he trembled. The rabbit felt the cold sharp metal of the shears on its leg, just above the ankle. It had been caught in a trap once, a long time ago, in another world that Dream barely remembered but it felt a lot like this.

The shears pressed down, cutting through flesh first and spilling blood on the chair, pooling beneath the rabbit and soaking its fur. Then the blades hit tendon and bone. Quackity gave a slight grunt of effort, putting his shoulder into it. Bone crunched, cracking under the pressure and then the rabbit’s foot was severed from its leg.

The rabbit screamed. Dream writhed on the blood soaked seat of the chair, paws scrambling uselessly on the wood, as he panted, trying to catch his breath.

Holding the severed foot, Quackity laughed.

“Wait,” said Niki. “So, Dream is a rabbit?”

She was sitting at the table in Techno’s kitchen. There was a piece of cake on a plate in front of her, identical pieces on mismatched plates in front of the others. She set her fork down.

“Yeah, apparently!” Ranboo said.

“But an actual rabbit.” She held both her hands up against her head, mimicking rabbit ears. Niki wiggled her hands. “A bunny.”

“Not gonna lie, he’s pretty cute when he’s a bunny,” said Techno. “I mean, if you’re into that kind of thing, ha ha.”

“Oh, I love bunnies. They have such cute little noses and fluffy tails. They’re just the sweetest,” she said. There was a beat and her face turned serious again. “And Dream is a bunny. Or can turn into one? I’m sorry, I’m just not clear on that because I’ve seen him.”

Phil gave a snort.

“From what I gather, he’s some kind of damn shapeshifter. The little bunny rabbit is his other form, right mate?” he asked, turning towards Techno.

“I mean, I didn’t ask the specifics but that’s what it seems like,” he said. “Looks a lot like me except not as handsome and he’s a rabbit.”

“Oh. Oh, of course, I see.” Niki nodded solemnly. “And so we’re breaking him out of prison?”

“You don’t have to help. Nothing against your will, y’know? But that is the plan, that is the plan,” said Techno, pushing a bit of his cake around on the plate. “We’ve got some ideas in the works and we could use an extra set of hands but if you want to sit this one out…”

“You said he was being tortured?” she asked, words hushed as if she didn’t want them to be real.

“Yeah, it’s bad. He was about dead when I found him. They cut half of his dang ear off and a couple of fingers.” Shaking his head, Techno leaned back a little in his chair. “It was definitely not good, man.”

“Aww,” said Niki, seemingly without meaning to. She fell quiet for a moment.

“I see. Then I’m in. Even if I don’t like Dream, I can’t let him get tortured. It’s not right.” There was another pause, longer than the previous one, and then Niki added, “And I’d like to see the bunny.”

The mood in the kitchen had been serious, vaguely uncomfortable, but at Niki’s comment, Techno let out a loud laugh, burying his face in his hand as he tried to control himself.

“Oh, he’s gonna love that, I can’t wait,” he said between laughs.

Phil shook his head with a grin.

“What’s the plan?” he asked. “How are we going to get him the hell out of that prison?”

“I have an idea. I’m just gonna have to test if it’ll work, first,” said Techno.

The rabbit hated this box of black stone.

It hated how hard the floor was, impossible to dig into. It hated how the air was hot and stale, how there was no breeze and how the only scents were of metal and its own fear. It hated the disgusting potatoes and how they hurt its jaw.

But mostly the rabbit hated how it knew that it had been the one to create this place and how it was in here by choice. Not just this time but before.

(The Vault had been a stage and Dream had planned it to be that way but even now, when he was drifting in and out of himself and the rabbit, he knew that the fear and paranoia hadn’t been an act, as much as he wanted them to be.)

The rabbit thought that of all the games to lose, this one was the worst.

A sound carried through the wall of lava and the rabbit tilted its head slightly. It was still laying on its side but on the floor now, Quackity having taken the chair with him.

He took my foot, too, it thought.

What the hell were you going to do with it, a voice came that almost sounded like the pigman except the pigman didn’t swear and Dream knew that. Sew it back on?

I could try something, the rabbit thought.

You’re an idiot, the voice said and then went quiet as the sound of pistons grew louder.

The rabbit didn’t move as the man that smelled like gunpowder approached. This wasn’t a survival tactic, not this time. The rabbit couldn’t move even if it had wanted to. The man stopped right in front of the rabbit. His boots were only a couple inches from the rabbit and it closed its eyes, waiting to feel a kick.

But it never came.

“Whatever this is, knock it off, Dream. Now.”

The rabbit opened its eyes.

“I said now.”

He wanted the rabbit to change but Dream wasn’t sure he could. His thoughts were disjointed, as if he was miles away, and he was exhausted. Even if he was able to think straight, he wasn’t sure he would be able to change back.

Sam watched him, watched how shallow the rabbit’s breathing was, and sighed with annoyance. Reaching into his pouch, Sam removed a splash potion of healing and took a step back before pouring it over the rabbit, not wanting to deal with broken glass.

The potion couldn’t heal all the injuries but it healed the most severe ones, leaving behind the small cuts and bruises. The rabbit trembled.

“Don’t make me wait any longer, Dream, I’m not in the mood,” said Sam.

Dream knew that tone of voice; in the prison he had become well acquainted with just how far he could push Sam and knew that the warden was reaching his limit. There was no choice. The limbs of the rabbit stretched and Dream’s skin stuck painfully to the obsidian as his form expanded from rabbit to man.

“Pathetic.”

Curling in on himself, Dream gave a choked laugh. He was pathetic. It made him angry at how weak and helpless he felt. This place had been built to keep him safe, to make certain he was protected, and now it had become the one place he was the most vulnerable. Even he couldn’t deny the irony was particularly strong.

“Get dressed,” Sam said, dropping a clean jumpsuit on a part of the floor that wasn’t stained with blood. It would be cleaned later, Dream knew, when Sam could stand to look at him for longer. “Don’t make me repeat myself, prisoner.”

Slowly, Dream pushed himself upright. It hurt to do so, hurt even worse when he breathed in, the familiar pressure of broken ribs throbbing in his chest. His hands shook as he pulled the pants on, not bothering to make even the smallest attempt to preserve his dignity. Sam awkwardly looked anywhere but at him and the corner of Dream’s mouth twitched with wry amusement. It shouldn’t be funny but it was.

Lifting his arms hurt even more and he thought Quackity must have dislocated his shoulder at some point. The pain was intense enough to make his eyes water but he managed to put on the shirt, only realizing afterwards that it was backwards.

If Sam has a problem with that, he thought, he can fix it himself.

Sam must have had a similar thought because his eyes narrowed when he finally looked at Dream but he said nothing. He lingered as if he wanted to say something but after a moment, he turned and walked back to the platform in silence and Dream watched him go.

Chapter Text

“There’s no damn way this is going to work, mate,” Phil said, stifling a yawn as he leaned on the railing of the bridge that connected the cabins. “Even if it does work with another rabbit or dog, doesn’t mean it’s going to work with Dream.”

Techno looked up, shading his eyes.

“Listen, Phil, I’ve got a workin’ theory here that when Dream’s a rabbit, the server treats him like a rabbit, not a person, alright? It’s gonna work,” he said with a confidence he didn’t actually feel. The voices in his head were making their doubts known as well but if he could get this to work then getting Dream out of prison would be much easier and the only person he would have to risk would be himself. “I’m a genius, alright, Phil? Technoblade never fails.”

Chuckling, Phil shook his head slowly.

“Can’t argue with that, mate.”

Techno pointed in his direction, the early morning sun elongating his shadow.

“Exactly.”

In his hand, Techno turned over the ender pearl. He had never liked the way the pearls felt, firm like an apple but something like jelly or slime inside that moved strangely even when he didn’t move the pearl. It hummed quietly, purple particles barely visible in the sunlight. He looked down at the dog sitting next to him and frowned.

It would have been more accurate to test it with a rabbit but he didn’t feel like trying to catch one this early and doing so would waste time that they didn’t have. Or time that Dream didn’t have. Reaching down, he ruffled the dog’s ears and then picked her up with one hand, tucking her under his arm.

“Easy, Skypower Girl, easy,” he said, carefully judging the distance between where he stood and where his intended target was. Then he threw the ender pearl. It hovered about where Techno had aimed it at, shaking for a moment, before disappearing with a vwoorp sound.

A second later, Techno felt the pull of the ender pearl. It started in the pit of his stomach and then folded in on itself. The next thing Techno knew, he was standing about twenty feet away from where he had been. In his arm, the dog yelped in confusion, legs moving as she tried to run away without success. He set her down and she took off running with her tail between her legs.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” called Phil from where he stood. He had straightened, taking a few steps in Techno’s direction, only stopping because of the railing.

“And you doubted me,” Techno said as he began walking back to the cabins.

“I really didn’t think that would work. Still don’t know if it’s going to work with Dream, though, even if it works with the dogs.”

“I know, Phil, I know but I’ve got to try, y’know? If it doesn’t work then we go to plan B and break into the prison,” he said.

“If it doesn’t work, they’re going to know we’re coming,” said Phil.

Techno sighed, shoulder sagging. He knew that was a possibility, a near certainty, but there was a feeling in his gut that it would work and he had to try. 

“I’ll figure somethin’ out, Phil,” he said as he climbed the stairs.

“I know you will.” Phil put his hand on Techno’s shoulder, squeezing. “I know you will.”

“I ought to go give Skypower Girl a piece of steak.” Techno looked towards the stable that housed the dogs. “Y’know, for traumatizin’ her and everythin’.”

The blue prints for the prison had been spread out on the kitchen table once more but this time there was less clutter and more seats pulled around the table. One of the edges of the paper was held down by Techno’s mug, the condensation wetting it slightly. He tapped his fingers on the table, waiting for the others to speak. No one seemed to want to be the first one to say something, to break the silence.

“Alright, alright,” he said, finally. “Listen, I know it’s a bit unconventional but I know it’s gonna work.”

Ranboo glanced at Phil.

“Because it worked with the dog.”

There was a moment of silence before Techno spoke again.

“I know how it sounds but I’m pretty sure it’s gonna work.”

“So, do you know it’s going to work or are you pretty sure it’s going to work?” asked Ranboo.

“That is a good question,” Niki said, nodding her head.

Techno sighed and gave Phil a light kick under the table. It didn’t wipe the knowing smirk off his face but it did make Techno feel better so that was about the same thing.

“I tested it with one of the dogs and it worked. Unless you have someone who can shapeshift into an animal and is willin’ to be a guinea pig, then I can’t see that many other options,” he said. 

“We could just use these blue prints and bust our way in,” said Phil. He pointed to a spot on the plans. “There’s a few spots here that could be a decent in.”

“I know, Phil, I know, but if this works, then no one gets hurt, alright? If it doesn’t, then I get pulled out and we can do it the old fashioned way. It’s a win-win.”

“Oh.” Niki frowned, looking at the others. “I mean, it does make sense. If it works the way Techno thinks it will, then that means we’d have time before they even knew what happened, right? And both him and Dream would be in the meeting room, not right outside the prison.”

Techno tapped the table lightly with his head and then shook his finger in her direction.

“See? Niki gets it.”

The point was a good one, one that couldn’t be dismissed easily. It was relatively low risk but high reward if it worked the way Techno believed that it would. If it didn’t, then they could make a second attempt.

“Damn it,” said Phil, rubbing a hand over his mouth. “Just do me a favor and let’s test it one more time to make sure it wasn’t a fluke then I’m in.”

“Y’know what Phil? Fair enough. If I could get my hands on a rabbit to test it with, that’d be even better. A fox might work, though,” Techno said, eyes drifting to the ceiling as he thought. “Yeah. Yeah, we’ll give it another shot, but this time we’ll try it with the stasis chamber.”

At the suggestion, Phil felt relief wash over him and he leaned back in his chair.

“Good idea, mate. Then we’ll know if it has a better chance of working or not,” he said. “We’ll do it first thing in the morning. Hell, I’ll even set one of those traps out, see if we can’t catch a rabbit.”

“Wow, we really are on our animal testing arc,” said Ranboo.

They hadn’t been able to catch a rabbit.

It would have been too convenient, too helpful to their cause, and it seemed as if luck wasn’t on their side. The trap wasn’t empty, however. A fox had been caught, not one of Techno’s, and he felt bad using some poor random animal but it would be better than risking one of his. Besides, he had already decided that he would keep this fox and make up for it with some treats, if things went well.

“Look, it’s gonna be alright,” said Techno, whispering to the fox. It was chewing on his hand, needle like teeth poking his skin. Techno ignored this. “When this is all over, I’ll give you a nice, juicy golden apple.”

Holding the fox close to his chest, he looked over towards Niki. She held her communicator in her hands, frowning down at it.

“Sorry, still nothing,” she said when she realized Techno was watching her. “I’m sure it’ll be soon, it might have just taken them some time to get there.”

Techno nodded.

It made sense. It took awhile to get to the Syndicate meeting room but Techno couldn’t help the worry that something had happened, that Phil and Ranboo had been ambushed. His worry would only fade when Niki received the message letting them know they were there safe.

“Nah, it’s fine,” he said after a moment. “It’s fine, I’m bondin’ with this fox. We’re gonna be best friends when this all is done.”

Niki laughed.

“Oh, I can see this,” said Niki. “Have you named it yet?”

“Y’know, I think I’m gonna wait until after, just in case it gets turned inside out or lost in the time space continuum or somethin’.”

Whatever Niki was about to say was interrupted by her communicator beeping. She thumbed across the screen, the small charms she had attached jingling slightly.

“They’re there! Phil says to ask if you’re ready and they’ll give thirty seconds after they get the message,” she said. There was another beep. “Oh, and to make sure you stand still.”

With a snort of amusement, Techno nodded.

“Might as well get this over with,” he said. “Tell Phil I’m ready.”

She gave him a thumbs up before typing into the communicator.

“Done.”

Techno began counting in his head, down from thirty, feeling the nervousness grow, the voices in his head repeating the same sound over and over. He got to zero and for another second, nothing happened. Glancing towards Niki, Techno saw her frown before that familiar pull of an ender pearl began in the core of his stomach and then she was gone and the cabins and snow covered ground was gone, replaced with the Syndicate meeting room.

It was darker in here and it took a moment for Techno’s eyes to adjust but he could feel the fox struggling in his arms, yipping in confusion and discomfort. He pat its head and it bit him, sinking its teeth into his hand.

“Ouch, alright, alright, I get it, you’re not happy,” he muttered to the fox and then looked up as Phil approached. He gripped Techno’s arm. “See, what did I tell you? And you doubted me.”

Phil grinned.

“I’ll believe it works when you get home safe with the little shit,” he said and then sighed. “But I guess this is enough to at least give it a try without too much worry. You better set the stasis chamber again, mate.”

“Right, right.” Techno pulled a lead from where it was looped around his belt and put it on the fox before handing the end to Phil. “Hold onto this for a minute.”

As Techno reset the stasis chamber, Ranboo made their way towards the hall leading out of the meeting room. They paused on the threshold, tail swishing back and forth.

“So. What’s next?” they said.

“Oh, I go get arrested again.”

Chapter Text

Dream was slumped against the wall, not wanting to move, not sure that he could move even if he wanted to. There wasn’t an inch of his body that didn’t hurt. Was it even his body anymore? His mind wandered between memories that he knew were his and simplistic thoughts about the smell of clover and then memories and thoughts he couldn’t place the origin of. If his mind was so fractured, so far from what it had once been, then who was to say his body belonged to him.

The lava began to lower and Dream’s chest tightened.

It would be Quackity, he knew. Sam had come to give him the jumpsuit and then Bad had come, offering him food even though all Dream could do was stare, unsure if it was some sort of trick.

Quackity’s silhouette was the only thing visible against the backdrop of the lava. The main cell was painfully bright and he had never adjusted to it completely; anytime he closed his eyes, he could see swimming orange dots against his eyelids. He closed his eyes now. He could hear the scrapping of wood over stone.

“You look like shit, Dream,” said Quackity, voice dripping with fake concern. “You should do something about that.”

Dream gave a shaky sigh, eyes still closed. It was bait, meant to rile him up or needle at him, but he was too tired to react and the only feeling it invoked was a sad sense of longing; once his friends had teased him and a few days ago, it had been Techno doing so. He missed that.

The sound of Quackity approaching made Dream press himself against the wall as much as he could, finally opening his eyes. From his position on the ground, it seemed as if Quackity towered over him.

“Do you like my new lucky charm?” he asked, gesturing to his belt.

At first Dream wasn’t sure what he was looking at. Something small and light brown hung from Quackity’s belt and when Dream realized it was his own foot, his head swam, vision going fuzzy. He could tell himself later that he didn’t faint, that he was exhausted and beaten.

“Aw, c’mon, Dream,” said Quackity as he stepped forward, crouching down and slapped Dream’s face roughly. “I thought you’d be honored I decided to hang your nasty foot on my belt.”

There was blood in his mouth and Dream looked up at Quackity. He had heard the words but found he couldn’t process them fully, his brain latching onto the one thing that stood out to him.

“It’s—It’s going to rot,” he said.

For a brief moment there was only confusion on Quackity’s face and Dream couldn’t stop the pained huff of laughter that escaped him. Then the confusion turned to anger and Quackity slammed his head against the wall and grabbed Dream by the arm, dragging him forward. Any amusement Dream had felt vanished immediately. He was off balance and had assumed Quackity would shove him into the chair like usual but instead he dragged him around to the back, forcing him to bend over it. Panic welled inside of Dream’s chest but he was in no shape to fight and there was no where to run. He didn’t resist as Quackity pulled his arms over the back of chair and strapping his wrists down to the arms as usual. The position was painfully awkward; his remaining foot barely touched the ground and the thin wooden back of the chair crushed against his chest.

He wanted to ask what Quackity was going to do. He didn’t want the answer.

Dream waited, the silence making his head pound.

Then it was broken by the familiar sound of the cracking whip. The sharp, hot pain took a moment to sink in and Dream shuddered, a strange mix of relief and terror, knowing it wouldn’t be merely one lash or two or even a dozen. But it was a familiar punishment, one he could endure, and Dream was thankful for that.

“You’re really making this worse than it has to be, Dream.”

Blood dripped down Dream’s back, pooling on the floor.

He had given up on trying to stand, now letting his weight rest on the back of the chair, the wood digging into his ribs as he trembled. His hands had gone numb and his vision was blurry around the edges. It was hard to breathe.

That might have been because Quackity was slowly blowing smoke into his face as he lounged in the chair. One of his legs was thrown of the arm of the chair, crushing Dream’s arm beneath it. He held his cigarette in one hand and the lighter in the other, flicking it on and off.

“This all would stop if you just told me what I want to know, if you just gave me the book,” he said, waving the lit lighter close to Dream’s face. His whiskers began to singe as the flames got closer, causing his eyes to water. Quackity laughed. When he smiled, the gold tooth looked like a fang. “Don’t you want this to stop? Do you think I like coming in here, every day?”

Dream looked at him.

It was a funny thing to say. Months had passed with Quackity coming each day to torture him. If it had really been about the revive book, he would have realized it was useless, that Dream wouldn’t give the book up. If it had really been about the book, there wouldn’t be that grim look of pleasure in Quackity’s eyes.

“You—You like it. You like torturing me,” he stuttered out, voice rising in anger.

The reaction was immediate. Quackity shifted in the chair, dropping the lighter and grabbing Dream’s face. His finger nails dug into his cheeks.

“You know what, Dream? Maybe I do. Maybe I like it, giving you a fraction of what you deserve for everything you’ve fucking done,” said Quackity, digging his fingers in even harder, pushing his head up awkwardly.

There was no response Dream could give to that; he already knew, had known for a very long time, if he was honest but there was a sort of grim satisfaction in hearing Quackity admit it. His lips were cracked with drying blood but the smile twitched across his face. It was all he could do.

Chapter Text

Techno had thought the response from the warden of Pandora’s Vault would be more immediate. He had thought the moment he stepped foot within a fifty block radius of the prison, there would be alarms blaring or, at the very least, someone would have come out and sternly told him to get out of here. He hadn’t expected to be able to loiter in front of it for the better part of ten minutes.

“Seriously, man, what’s it take to get arrested around here?” he muttered to himself, the voices in his head repeating the letter ‘L’ over and over. “Don’t ‘L’ me, chat, I did not fall off.”

If his presence wasn’t enough of a threat, Techno knew what would get their attention. He opened his inventory hub and pulled out some soul sand and three skulls. A tried and true tactic that he had prepared for. Whistling, he tossed the third and finale skull up and down in his hand, the way someone would a ball, one eye on the portal entrance.

It took about six minutes, by Techno’s estimation, for the portal to phase into life, warbling with that strange purple light, and for Sam, Bad, and Ant to step out. The two guards lingered behind the warden and Techno could almost feel bad for them, if they hadn’t picked this particular profession.

“Techno!” Sam’s shout cut across the air. “Stop what you’re doing, right now.”

Tossing the skull once more, Techno turned to look at Sam with a grin.

“Oh, hey, Sam,” he said.

“What do you think you’re doing,” he asked, words cold, less like a question and more like he was chiding Techno. His sword was unsheathed, held in a position that spoke of an upcoming attack.

“Y’know, Sam, I was really unimpressed with the way you’re runnin’ this prison.” Slipping the skull into his pocket, Techno drew his own sword. From behind Sam, Bad let out a quiet, ‘oh dang it’. “I’m thinkin’ I need to change my review.”

Annoyance made Sam narrow his eyes.

“Leave now or you will regret this.”

Techno plucked a potion from his belt. He had to make this look good, look believable, at least enough not raise suspicion. Using his thumb to uncork it, Techno downed it in one gulp and dropped the empty bottle onto the ground.

“Gonna be honest, Sam, you’re probably right,” he said, “but it’s the principle of the thing.”

Bad and Ant watched Techno warily, as if they thought he would lunge at them any second.

They were armed and in full netherite and his armor and sword had already been tossed unceremoniously into a chest. It made Techno feel a little better about the situation, about throwing the fight. He had gotten in a few good blows; Ant was favoring one paw and Bad’s eye was slowly swelling shut. It wouldn’t erase the soreness in his side or the blow to his head but it made it easier to swallow. Techno shifted where he leaned against the wall, about to ask what the delay was when Quackity stepped through the portal that led deeper into the prison.

His sleeves were rolled up, the shirt splattered with blood, and his hands had been hastily wiped but were still tinted pink.

Techno could smell how fresh it was, he could smell the rabbit – Dream – and the fear was thick. At his side, his hands curled into fists. He knew what Quackity was capable, had experienced it himself, and Techno thought that moment in the tunnel after his execution hadn’t been enough.

Quackity’s eyes widened briefly before he grinned. 

“Aw, Techno, did you miss me that much?” he asked. “You could’ve just called instead of going through all this trouble.”

Any response Techno might have had was interrupted by Sam.

“Quackity!” Sam tapped the butt of his trident on the ground. “I need to speak to you, now.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Quackity turned and ambled over to Sam. The pair moved as far from Techno as possible, voices lowered as they spoke. Techno could make out a few words here and there but he knew they were discussing what to do with him. He shifted were he stood, making a show of rubbing his arm, and tilted his head, trying to eavesdrop better.

“—can’t risk that,” Sam was saying in a hiss.

And then from Quackity, “We can use this to get the book.”

A frown tugged at the corners of Techno’s mouth but whatever else was said, he didn’t pick up on and a barely a moment later, Sam was marching over towards him. Bad and Ant scattered almost immediately.

“I hope whatever point you were trying to make was worth it, Techno,” he said. “You’re not getting out of here this time. Now move.”

With his trident, Sam gestured towards the same portal that Quackity had come through. Techno straightened. The voices in his head were an ear-splitting buzz of panic and worry but he ignored them. It had to be worth it. It had to be.

The main cell wasn’t what Techno had expected.

He wasn’t sure what he had expected; Dream’s condition had caused his imagination to go into overdrive, imagining a cell full of torture devices, but the cell looked almost completely empty. At first he couldn’t even see Dream and Techno felt a twinge of panic in his chest. The whole plan would fall apart. Suddenly a thousand little things that could go wrong which Techno hadn’t thought of were bouncing around in his head.

I really didn’t think this through, he thought and all the voices in his head were in agreement.

Then the bridge moved closer and Techno’s stomach dropped.

If he hadn’t been looking for Dream, he wouldn’t have known that lump of bright orange stained reddish brown was a person, let alone Dream. His jaw tightened. He wanted to shove Sam off the moving bridge into the lava for allowing this to happen but didn’t. Not now. There would be time to repay this cruelty later.

The smell of blood and bile was so strong that it overwhelmed Techno, barely realizing that Sam had spoken until he jabbed the end of his trident into Techno’s side, making him stumble slightly. The netherite barrier lowered with a thud.

“Don’t play any games, Techno,” said Sam. “You were warned this would happen.”

Techno took one step towards the cell.

“Y’know, last time I got my own room,” he said. “I didn’t think overcrowdin’ was a problem. Unless you and Quackity have somethin’ planned.”

Doubt flashed in Sam’s eyes for a brief moment and he looked away slightly, never again meeting Techno’s gaze. Techno snorted.

“Now, Techno. I don’t have time for this.”

“That’s what I thought,” Techno said as he stepped off the platform, moving to where Sam had indicted with his trident. The netherite barrier rose and Techno, with his heart pounding in his chest, watched Sam leave, waited until the lava began lowering, before he turned.

Dream was curled up in the corner of the cell, half tucked under the lectern, face buried in his arms. His ears were laid back against his head and knees pulled up. It was reminiscent of the way the rabbit had laid in the basket those first few days. The orange jumpsuit was tattered and soaked with blood and Techno hated that he had to wake him. But just like there would be time for revenge later, there would be time for rest and healing when he was back home, safe.

Reaching out, Techno gently touched his shoulder.

“Dream. Hey, Dream.”

He had been prepared for an immediate reaction – Techno had seen the rabbit panic over the slightest noise, scrambling and sliding all over the floor in a wild attempt to escape – but there was none. There was only a slow opening of his eyes and a blank stare.

“Hey, man,” he said, almost asking how Dream was and biting back that question.

Dream’s ears twitched forward, nose working furiously, and pushed himself upright, hand slipping once on the blood-slick obsidian. There was anger on his face.

“What—What are you doing here, Technoblade? What—” Dream made a clumsy attempt to hit Techno. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Whoa, easy, man,” said Techno, moving back and getting to his feet. He wasn’t worried about Dream hurting him. There had been no strength behind the attempted punch. He was, however, worried that Dream would hurt himself.

“Easy?” Dream spat out, grabbing the side of the lectern and pulling himself up. He leaned against the lectern, all his weight on his remaining foot. “Are you fucking stupid, Techno?”

Techno reached out, wanting to steady Dream but not wanting to set him off further by touching him, and held his hands there, uselessly.

“Dream, calm down, okay? It’s fine,” he said.

“I-I turned myself in for you! I was—I was trying! And now it’s-it’s for nothing! Do you fucking get it? All this, it’s all for nothing,” said Dream, taking an off-balance step towards Techno, ignoring the hands held out and instead curling his fingers into the fabric of his shirt. His voice cracked, green eyes wide and wet. “You—you idiot. I was trying…”

There was a tightness in Techno’s chest that he wasn’t sure what to make of but he put his arms around Dream and the man practically collapsed against him. A moment silence stretched out uncomfortable – Techno didn’t know what to say and Dream had used all his words – before it was shattered by a sob from Dream. Beneath his hands, Techno could feel him trembling.

“It’s alright, Dream, it’s alright, but you gotta listen to me, okay? We gotta hurry.”

“Wh—What the hell are you talking about?” asked Dream after a moment, wiping his face off on his sleeve, which only served to smear dirt, blood, and snot in the fine fur on his face. “You ruined it. I got you out. You couldn’t fucking—just fucking let me.”

“Y’know what Dream, you’re right. I couldn’t just let you stay here and get tortured but you can be mad at me later, okay, man. We’re gonna get you out of here but you gotta listen.”

Dream’s ears swiveled forward, whatever rant he had been about to give forgotten.

“Get me out? H-how?”

“Just…” Techno looked around, looked down and felt his anger flare when he noticed Dream’s missing foot. Another thing to worry about later. Carefully, he directed Dream to sit on the floor, helping him down. He didn’t fight and Techno wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Taking off his cloak, he draped it around Dream’s shoulders and then signed to him. “We have a plan but you need to turn into a bunny.”

Confusion crossed Dream’s face but he signed in response.

“Why?”

“Look, it’s complicated, you just have to trust me.”

Dream looked at Techno and shook his head.

“Trust you?” he said, at first signing as he spoke but forgetting in his anger. “You came here! I—I turned myself in for you. I tried! And for nothing! You—”

As gently as he could, Techno placed both his hands on either side of Dream’s face.

“Dream, stop. Look at me, look in my eyes. I’m sorry. Alright, I’m sorry, but you gotta trust me.”

Dream did stop.

This was the same man who had cared for him when he was the rabbit, who he had trusted then, but it had been so much easier to trust when he was just the rabbit. Could he trust Techno now? The answer was obvious. Dream sighed, shoulders sagging.

The longer there was no answer, the longer Techno thought he had truly done something to damage Dream’s trust in him. The reaction from Dream to seeing him had been so far from what Techno expected that he wasn’t certain how to process it, only that the anger and hurt that was so clear had made his chest ache. It was familiar and while he didn’t understand the cause, he did understand feeling misunderstand, feeling as if all your efforts were for nothing.

Then Dream sighed.

At first, Techno thought he was collapsing from exhaustion but his limbs folded in, entire body shrinking down, and then it was the rabbit, awkwardly covered in both the jumpsuit and Techno’s cloak. Shaking his head, Techno scooped the rabbit up, leaving the jumpsuit behind but wrapping him up in the cloak.

The moment his hand got with in range, the rabbit bit him, hard and didn’t let go for a few seconds until the point had been clearly made. Techno shook his hand and then pet the rabbit’s soft ears, holding him close to his chest.

“You’re too dang predictable, man,” he said, finding a relatively clean spot on the floor to sit. “Now we just gotta wait. It won’t be long, Dream, I promise.”

Chapter Text

“Okay, but, like….” Ranboo took a deep breath and pressed their hands together. “How do we know it’s time?”

Phil sighed, running a hand through his thinning, straw-like hair. His hat had been tossed onto the table so he could wipe the sweat from his brow easier. The green robes stuck to his skin. He knew Ranboo had a point; it was a point that Phil had brought up to Techno more than once but his friend had been insistent that it would, that they just had to time it right.

It was timing it right that would be the hardest part.

Looking down at his communicator, Phil frowned at the empty message bar. Niki was watching the prison, having volunteered to let them know when Techno had been taken inside. That had been the best that they could come up with and Techno seemed confident it would be enough.

“Phil?”

“Sorry, Ranboo, mate,” he said, shaking his thoughts away. “We get the message from Niki, then Techno said to wait about an hour. Don’t like it any more than you do.”

“Yeaaaah,” said Ranboo, leaning back, looking up at the ceiling of the Syndicate meeting room. “Why do you think he wanted to do it this way? Like, he was really insistent.”

That had been a question Phil had turned over and over in his mind and was only able to come up with one answer.

“I think he just wanted to get into that damn place and make sure Dream knew he didn’t forget him. Think he felt a bit guilty about the whole thing, is my guess.”

“Ah. Yeah, that would probably do it.”

Ranboo had seen how careful Techno had been with the rabbit, ‘Gary’. He was always gentle with animals but there had always been something almost apologetic in the way Techno acted. At first Ranboo had written it off as due to him letting a toddler manhandle the bunny but now they weren’t so sure that was all there was to it. Their tail flicked back and forth nervously. When Phil’s communicator beeped, they jumped.

“That’s it,” Phil said, looking down at the screen. There was no relief in his voice. “He’s in.”

Taking out their own communicator, Ranboo turned one of the small dials and pressed a button.

“I guess I’ll start the countdown, huh.”

Watching Techno be dragged into the prison after throwing the fight had been harder than Niki expected. She had volunteered to be the one to shadow him, knowing she was less likely to draw any attention – that had bothered her, once, maybe still did sometimes but she could use it – but it still hurt to do nothing.

As soon as he was in, Niki pulled out her communicator, the charms rattling and her fingers shaking slightly in frustration at not being able to do more as she typed out the message to Phil and hit send. Her hands were still shaking as she shoved the communicator back into her bag and crept back to where she had left the horse she had borrowed from Techno. 

Niki could keep time fairly well in her head and she already started the count as she pulled herself up, taking the reins in one hand. It would take longer than an hour for her to get back to the meeting room even at a gallop but she spurred the horse on anyway, the trees whizzing past.

If she couldn’t help Techno in that fight by design, she would be there for him when he got out by her own will.

Techno wasn’t sure how much time had passed. The trip to the main cell of the prison had taken longer than he had expected and then Dream’s outburst had thrown him but he was still here so it hadn’t been an hour. In his arms, the rabbit had finally stopped trembling and Techno had pressed his fingers against his neck to make certain he was still alive.

He needed treatment and he needed it as soon as possible.

Leaning his head back against the obsidian wall, Techno considered taking a nap. He was tired and sore and had just closed his eyes when he heard the sound of someone heading towards the cell. The rabbit began struggling immediately and Techno had to hold him as tightly as possible without hurting him.

“Easy, Dream,” he whispered. “Remember, you gotta trust me, you have to stay as a bunny, alright? I’m not gonna let them hurt you, I promise. Just gotta stay like this.”

From the folds of Techno’s cloak, the rabbit poked his head out, looking up at him, eyes wide and bulging. There was a hint of anger behind the fear, in the way one ear flicked deliberately, and Techno wondered why it had taken him so long to see the rabbit as Dream. Part of him expected Dream to continue to struggle and attempt to escape but he didn’t. Instead, the rabbit began chewing on the fabric of his cloak. Techno groaned quietly. He couldn’t be mad if he tried; he understood and if it was him, he wouldn’t be nearly as calm as Dream was.

On the bridge, the figure of Quackity was visible, axe thrown over his shoulder.

Techno tugged the cloak up to cover the rabbit and held him closer. It would be a lie to say that Techno didn’t have an idea of what the intention for Quackity’s visit was. The hushed conversation between Sam and Quackity made sense, it was why Techno was so certain it would work, but being proven correct didn’t make him feel better. He could hear the rabbit gnashing his teeth beneath the cloak.

As soon as he stepped off the bridge and the netherite barrier lowered, Quackity looked around, the scarred corner of his mouth twitching when he didn’t see Dream. Dragging the axe along the floor for a moment, he leaned on the handle and looked down. 

“I really didn’t think I’d be seeing you again so soon,” said Quackity, eyes falling on the bundle in Techno’s lap. “What do you got there, Techno?”

Techno tightened his grip, just slightly.

“Oh, well, y’know—”

An odd sensation in the pit of Techno’s stomach stopped whatever quip he was about to give and as it expanded, he sighed in relief and then the obsidian cell and Quackity’s face that was slowly going from smug to confused disappeared from sight.

Chapter Text

The pull of the ender pearl was disorientating and the sitting position meant that Techno was dumped awkwardly onto the floor. His arms were full, still clutching the cloak against his chest, and he wasn’t able to catch himself, knocking his head against the seat of the chair labeled with his syndicate name. He winced, sliding down further onto the floor.

“Techno!” Phil immediately was next to him, crouching down and trying to help right him. “Techno, mate, you alright?”

Techno blinked.

He couldn’t answer that question until he knew if the plan had worked. Carefully, he tugged back the cloak. The rabbit was there, eyes still wide, ears still back, nothing moving except for his nose that was working furiously. Letting out a deep breath, Techno sunk back against the side of the table.

“What did I tell you, Technoblade is never wrong,” he said after a moment.

Laughing, Phil gave him an awkward half-hug and then shook Techno’s shoulder lightly.

“Never should’ve doubted you, mate.” Phil looked down at the rabbit and his voice softened. “How’s the little shit?”

“I think he could really use those healing potions, Phil,” said Techno, pulling back the cloak even further. The rabbit’s light tan fur was matted with blood across his back, the long, thin wounds visible.

“Jesus…”

From where they stood, Ranboo couldn’t see what was making Phil’s face look so serious but immediately they moved to grab the cache of first aid supplies Techno had insisted on having on hand.

“Uh, here,” they said, handing the box to Techno. Ranboo could see the blood stained fur and they understood Phil’s expression of anger and sadness. “Oh. Is it—Is he going to be okay?”

Taking one of the healing potions, Techno carefully poured it across the rabbit’s back. It didn’t remove the blood but the larger wounds slowly knitted together. The rabbit shuddered.

“Yeah, he’s gonna be fine, Ranboo.” Techno smoothed his hand over the rabbit’s ears. “He’s too dang stubborn for anythin’ else.”

Phil snorted.

“That’s the damn truth.”

“Oh, that’s good. That’s good,” said Ranboo, twisting their hands together. “What should we call him? I mean, uh, because not everyone knows and I’m not really sure it’d be a good idea to tell, like, Tubbo or Tommy. If you know what I mean.”

With a sigh, Techno paused his digging through the first aid kit. He hadn’t thought that far ahead but Ranboo had a point. Sam and Quackity seemed to want to keep their secret as close to the chest as possible; he wasn’t even certain they had told Bad and Ant the whole story.

“Gonna be honest, Ranboo, I think I’m gonna save worryin’ about that for later,” he said, rubbing a hand across his face. “But you do have a point.”

“Yeah… Well, we’ve got plenty of time hiding out here to figure it out,” they said. “Hopefully, at least.”

“No way they find this place,” said Phil, shaking his head. “I’d bet money on them already being on their way up to the cabins.”

Techno leaned back. Phil was probably right – that assumption was why they had moved all his animals before putting the plan into action – and Techno was too tired to worry about the what ifs and maybes. He had slept right before heading to the prison but the fight and general stress had drained him.

“Exactly, Phil, exactly.” He scratched the rabbit’s head. “I think me and D—Gary here need a nap.”

In his lap, Dream flicked one ear in annoyance but didn’t open his eyes, a clear sign of agreement if Techno had ever seen one.

Niki slid off the horse and as much as she wanted to hurry through the entrance to the meeting room, she was exhausted and the horse even more so. As she led it to the small pond to drink, she pulled out her communicator to send a heads up to Ranboo and Phil that it would be her coming through, not anyone else. Looping the reins over a branch, Niki stood in front of the lava pool and took a deep breath and then plunged in, trusting that on the other side she would be safe.

Once through, she shook herself off and wrung her hair out as she hurried down the hallway to the meeting room. Niki hadn’t been certain what she was expecting but the scene felt almost too normal. Phil and Ranboo were leaning against the table, talking quietly, and Techno was sitting on the floor, head down and snoring loudly enough that she had heard it before stepping into the room.

“Is he okay?” she asked in a stage whisper.

Phil looked up then to Techno and back to Niki.

“Ah, he’s fine, mate,” he said. “Pretty sure he’s just tired, hasn’t been getting a lot of sleep.”

“Oh, yeah, that is true. Is, you know—”

She trailed off, not certain how to ask the question.

“Oh, yeah. Yup, he’s over there,” said Ranboo, tilting their head in Techno’s direction. “I’m, uh, pretty sure he’s still alive but he hasn’t moved, like, at all.”

Niki frowned.

“Maybe I should just check, just to be sure,” she said and didn’t wait for an answer from either of them before moving to Techno’s side and crouching down.

The only reaction from Techno was a snort and him shifting slightly against the wall. Niki looked down into his lap where the rabbit was still wrapped up in the red cloak. It was staring up at her, completely still. There was blood matting its fur and injuries that were visible even now; the rabbit looked like it had been through a war and even though Niki knew who he really was, it didn’t matter to her in that moment.

“Don’t worry, it’s okay,” she said, softly, scooping the rabbit up, the only struggle one weak kick. “I’m not going to hurt you, don’t you worry.”

She sat down in her chair and pulled back the cloak a little, frowning.

“Do we have any water? This dried blood can’t be comfortable. It might be good to clean him up a little.”

Blinking, Phil got to his feet.

“Sure thing, mate,” he said, feeling a little bad that he hadn’t thought of doing as much. He found a rag and a bucket of water. “Here. Just make sure he doesn’t bite you, he’s got a bad habit of that.”

“Oh, that’s alright, he’s not going to bite me,” said Niki, taking the cloth, wetting it, and beginning to carefully wipe the blood away. It took her awhile and she wasn’t able to clean him up completely but his fur was now mostly tan instead of reddish-brown. Niki smiled. “See? Isn’t that a lot a better? Thank you for not biting me, we sure showed Phil, didn’t we.”

With a snort, Phil shook his head and turned away.

Niki leaned down, cupping her hand around one of the rabbit’s ears, and whispered.

“I know you probably don’t want to hear this or maybe it’s rude, I’m sorry, but you’re just so cute!”

There were too many new things for the rabbit to keep track of.

One moment it had been in the box of stone with the pigman and the man that smelled of its own blood and his own fear had been coming to hurt it again. Then it had been in a strange limbo for a moment only to end up in a room that reminded it of a game from long ago but it didn’t know why.

(Dream, however, did know why and what and how but he didn’t want to think about it, not now. Thinking about that meant thinking about all the words he had vomited out when he saw Techno, meant thinking about what had happened. His balance was better as a rabbit, anyway, that could be his excuse.)

And now there was a strange woman who smelled like sweat and sugar picking the rabbit up from the comfortable lap of the pigman. It wanted to struggle, tried to kick away, but had given up almost immediately. This woman could hurt it and there was a memory the rabbit didn’t particularly like that said she might have a reason to but if the pigman trusted her, then so did it.

Besides, her touch and voice were gentle and while the rabbit couldn’t run, it could always bite.

Then the man with the broken wings warned her of the rabbit doing just that.

Shows what you know, old man, came the voice from its dream.

And for once there was no other voice to argue the point.

The rabbit didn’t bite her.

Chapter Text

Techno didn’t know what had woken him up, only that something had made him jerk awake, heart pounding in his chest, and the panic only grew when he realized that the rabbit wasn’t in his lap, that Dream was missing. He scrambled to his feet, almost knocking his head against the wall and catching himself before he pitched forward. Immediately, Phil was next to him, hand on his shoulder.

“Easy, mate,” he said. “You stood up too fast.”

“I’m fine, Phil, I’m fine. Where’s Dream?”

“Oh, he’s right here, Techno, it’s okay,” said Niki, giving him a little wave. “He’s been sleeping.”

A deep sigh of relief escaped Techno and he hadn’t realized just how worried he had been until that moment. Had realized how he didn’t ask about the rabbit, didn’t ask about Gary, but Dream first and knew that meant something. He took three quick steps over to where she was sitting.

“He didn’t bite you, did he?” he asked, looking down and pulling the cloak back. “He’s got a bad habit of bitin’ everyone.”

“Nope! Not even a little nibble,” she said, with a smile that disappeared almost immediately before lowering her voice. “Techno, he’s missing a foot. He—He doesn’t look so good.”

“Yeah.” Techno groaned, sitting down next to her. “Yeah, I noticed that but I didn’t want to say anythin’ until we got out.”

The rabbit opened one eye and shuddered. Techno rubbed his thumb against the rabbit’s nose and the rabbit pressed against Techno’s palm.

“Not a damn lot we can about a missing rabbit’s foot,” said Phil. There was annoyance in his voice that Techno knew came from seeing a problem that he wasn’t sure how to fix. “Don’t even know where to start with what those bastards did.”

Leaning back, Techno reached behind him with his free hand and patted Phil on the knee then left his hand there. Phil covered it with his own.

“I know, Phil, I know. I’m thinkin’ maybe we just get him some rest and some healin’ potions to start with. Some food.”

At the suggestion, the rabbit flicked an ear and pulled his head back from Techno’s hand, burying his head into the cloak instead.

“Oh, I’m not sure he likes that idea,” Niki said.

Techno snorted.

“Of course not.” 

“So.” Ranboo cleared their throat. “What exactly do we do now? Like, what’s the plan…?”

Finally, Techno moved his hand away from Phil, giving one final squeeze.

“Gotta be honest, Ranboo, I really did not think this far ahead,” he admitted. All the thoughts had gone to whether or not his plan would work and what he’d do if it didn’t work. Now that it had worked and Dream was safe, he had no idea what to do. “We should probably hide out here for a bit then maybe see what’s goin’ on.”

“I could always go out again and take a look,” said Niki. “I spend time around the main hub, you know, I’m sure it wouldn’t raise too much suspicion.”

In her lap, the rabbit made a weak attempt to sit up and thump the remaining hind foot, almost falling over in the process. Niki steadied him.

“Oh, does that mean he doesn’t think I should?”

“Eh…” Techno shrugged. “Probably but we’re gonna have to check it out eventually. We can’t just live down here, that’d be crazy.”

The rabbit gave another weak thump and sneezed.

“Should’ve known that missing a foot wouldn’t stop the little shit.”

Niki tucked the rabbit up closer to her and stroked his head.

“Be nice,” she scolded though half-heartedly. “I guess I would be worried too, you know, if I was him.”

“Well, I guess that settles it,” said Techno, groaning as he stretched out. He was still sore; there were bruises that were healing and new ones forming and worse than all that was the anger about what had been done to him and to Dream. Except there was nothing he could do about that right now. All he could do was rest and wait. “I’m gonna have somethin’ to eat and then go back to sleep, at least for a little bit.”

The rabbit didn’t mind the woman who smelled of sweat and sugar. It knew her, even if it didn’t like knowing that or the sense of vague guilt that came with it, and knew it could trust her. She was gentle, in touch and in voice, and had slipped it a sugar cube though all it managed to do was lick it a few times before giving up.

It wasn’t hungry anyway.

As much as it trusted the woman, the rabbit felt relief when the pigman woke and came over. It’d rather be held by him, if someone was going to be holding it, if they hadn’t thought to bring its basket.

And besides, came the rabbit’s other voice, if she baby talks me one more time I’m going to bite her, I don’t care what the old fart says.

The rabbit flicked an ear.

She won’t give me sugar again, if I do, it thought.

Oh my god, the other voice thought and then fell silent.

When the pigman yawned, his breath smelling of apples and beef jerky, and said he was tired, reaching out to the pet the rabbit’s head one last time, the rabbit bit onto his sleeve and didn’t let go.

Another yawn moved through Techno even though he tried to hold it back. He wanted to stay up, hammer out a more solid plan than merely waiting and then possibly sending Niki to scope things, see if Sam and Quackity were still lurking around, trying to get to Dream. That’s what he wanted but his eyelids were getting heavy and his vision was straining – he hadn’t found the time to fix his glasses – so he decided it was time to give up.

“Alright, I’m gonna crash,” he said, reaching out to scratch the rabbit’s head. He bit Techno’s sleeve and instead of chewing it on like Techno thought he would, he held on. “Really, man? Fine, fine.”

Niki chuckled and scooped up the rabbit.

“Here, I think maybe he wants you,” she said.  

“Aw, what a cute widdle bunny.” Immediately, the rabbit bit his hand but Techno laughed; this is what he wanted, what made him believe things would be alright. “Keep it up and I’m gonna give you to Phil.”

“Uh-uh, mate, you can keep him.”

Laughing, Techno picked the rabbit up and moved over to the corner where a makeshift bed had been set up. It hurt him to lay down but the moment he was lying on the wool stuffed with straw, he didn’t want to move ever again. It might have been the most comfortable thing he had ever experienced.

Next to him, the rabbit didn’t even attempt to dig into the blankets like usual. Even with a healing potion, the injuries were still clear. Hiding his next yawn in the pillow, Techno tucked the blanket in around Dream, smoothing his hand over his head. His hand was bigger than the rabbit’s head, if Techno wanted, he could probably crush his skull, and Dream had every reason to not trust anyone, even him. The way Dream had reacted to seeing Techno in the prison had hurt, it made him feel as if he had betrayed him and he didn’t know how or why.

The rabbit’s heart beat quickly, erratically, and Techno pulled him closer.

He wanted Dream to change back so he could talk to him, ask him what was wrong, but he couldn’t. It didn’t take a genius to understand that Dream stayed a rabbit because it was easier, it was safer. Techno remembered when he thought it would be better if he was alone, if people saw him as a weapon instead of a person with feelings. He wanted to tell Dream he had been wrong and that Dream was wrong, but now wasn’t the time.

Instead, he let Dream press his nose into Techno’s face even though his whiskers tickled his snout because that was the best he could do for now. The rabbit’s heart slowed, the rhythm evening out. It was enough for now.

Chapter Text

The low whispering of the others in the room didn’t pull Techno out of his sleep but the rabbit head-butting him right in the face a few times certainly did. He groaned, rubbing one hand over his snout and using his other hand to carefully push Dream away. The rabbit did not want to accept this and butted his nose into Techno’s palm. He groaned louder, realizing that Dream wasn’t giving up.

“Alright, alright, I’m up, Gary,” he said, putting emphasis on the name, knowing it would irritate Dream, but as far as he was concerned, it was deserved for waking him up. “What the heck is goin’ on?”

“Oh!” As soon as she noticed, Niki tugged on Phil’s sleeve and he turned to look towards Techno. “Do you want to give him his communicator?”

Phil moved as if he was going to toss the communicator to Techno but stopped when he saw him wince, instead getting up and handing it to him.

“Think you got the same message I did,” he said. “From Punz, of all damn people. He says they really need to talk to you or us, I guess, but seemed more interested in talking to you.”

“Huh.” Techno squinted at the screen. “…they’re not workin’ for Sam? Heh?”

“The whole thing doesn’t add up.” Phil moved back to his chair and sank down into it, taking a moment to adjust his bandaged wings. “I mean, I saw him watching the cabins but I’ll be honest, mate, it did strike me a little odd how easy they were to spot.”

Next to him, the rabbit tried to stand but he hadn’t adjusted to missing foot, hadn’t rested enough after the torture, probably hadn’t eaten in days. Techno put his hand out to keep him from falling over and the rabbit leaned against him, nose twitching a mile a minute in anger. Using his front paws, he dug uselessly into the mattress. Techno frowned.

“I’m gettin’ the feelin’ that he’s tryin’ to tell us somethin’,” said Techno after a moment.

“Oh, uh, I think I might know what’s going on,” Ranboo said. Their tail twitched back and forth awkwardly and they looked everywhere but at the others. “It’s just, I mean—I’d rather no one ask how I know, if that’s, like, alright.”

“Of course, Ranboo, man.” The response from Techno was immediate, tone impassioned. “You don’t have to do anythin’ you don’t want to.”

Ranboo sighed, tall form collapsing slightly, making their already wrinkled suit look even more wrinkled.

“I’m pretty sure Punz is telling the truth. I mean, I know. He’s working for Dream.”

Confusion was etched into Niki’s face and she shook her head a little.

“But I saw them at the vault. They helped arrest Dream.”

Shrugging, Ranboo looked over at the rabbit.

“I know but, like, I also know that they’re working for Dream.”

The room fell silent. Techno looked down at the rabbit. He was staring at Ranboo, ears pinned back, grinding his teeth. It had to hurt, Techno knew that, and so he put his hand on Dream’s head, stroking his fur. After a moment, the rabbit relaxed or gave up when being angry was too taxing. 

“Is that true, man?” he asked. The rabbit looked up at him; its eyes were different from the man’s, darker than the bright green but still green, still the same emotion behind them. His ears swiveled forward and he pushed his paws out. Techno smoothed his thumb over his nose. “Yeah, I’m thinkin’ it’s true.”

Niki stared at the rabbit, the confusion now mixed with a sadness that wasn’t exactly placeable.

“What was he thinking?” she asked and no one had an answer, especially not the rabbit.

“Not a dang idea,” said Techno, “but we probably want to hear Punz out, see what they want.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea, mate?”

Sighing, Techno tried to untangle his hair and gave up after a moment. He needed a shower.

“What do you think, Gary? One bite for yes, two for no,” he said. The rabbit stared at him blankly for a few seconds before he bit down on the blanket. “See? He thinks it’s fine.”

“I’ll go then,” Phil said, quickly, knowing that Techno was about to offer to go himself. “I can go meet them somewhere away from here and the cabins. Neutral ground.”

Techno wanted to protest; he had planned to go himself. The last thing he wanted was to send Phil out on his own. Even if he believed Ranboo’s claim and trusted Dream’s judgement, it still didn’t sit right with him. Too much could go wrong and if something happened to Phil… He couldn’t finish the thought, the voices in his head rising in panic. But Dream was next to him, leaning against his side, trembling, too exhausted to do anything else. The thought of leaving him felt awful, even worse when Techno knew what choice he’d make.

“Uh, I can go with you, Phil. I mean, I think maybe it’d be a good idea,” Ranboo said, looking at Techno first and then to Phil.

With a sigh, Techno leaned back. He was relieved that he didn’t have to make the choice himself but still didn’t like the situation. Closing his eyes, he tried not to think about all the things that could wrong, all the things that still needed to be fixed.

“Yeah, alright.” He opened his eyes and opened a reply to Punz. “I’ll tell them we’re willin’ to hear them out.”

Phil and Ranboo had walked in silence for awhile.

Phil was waiting for them to break the silence. There was something on Ranboo’s mind, he could tell by the way they twisted their long fingers together and looked around as if they were terrified of being seen, but he didn’t want to push. They would speak when they were ready and if Phil had to judge, they were working themselves up.

Ranboo sighed.

“Man,” they said.

Raising an eyebrow, Phil glanced over at them. He wished he had timed that.

“Something on your mind, mate?”

“Oh. Oh, no. I mean, a lot of things but it’s fine, it’s fine.”  

“Whatever it is, you can talk to us, me and Techno,” he said. “We’ve been through a lot of shit, there’s no judgement here. You know that or should, if we’ve done our damn job.”

Ranboo stopped, looking up. The sky was cold and blue, the winter still heavy even on this part of the server. There was a chill in the air and Ranboo shivered.

“Oh, I know, but—I think I might be, uh, involved with something and I’m not sure how to deal with it.”

They began walking and Phil had to take a few large, quick steps to catch up.

“You mean, with how you know about Punz and Dream?” he asked.

“Yeaaaah.” They drew the word out and then fell silent for a moment. Phil waited. “I used to think that, like, Dream was sending me these messages and—I think that was true but not the way I thought it was? I mean, when you told me he was rabbit, I should’ve been more worried but I wasn’t, Phil. I wasn’t because I thought, well, he wouldn’t do anything. But like, it’s Dream, Phil. I know what he’s done. Why would I think that?”

Phil tipped his hat up a little, so he could look at Ranboo better.

“Think this has anything to do with those little nighttime walks you’d go on?”

Ranboo’s shoulders sagged.

“Oh, probably! Probably,” they said. “What if I did something horrible, Phil?”

Reaching out, Phil grabbed their arm and squeezed.

“The way I look at it, even if you did, it doesn’t mean a damn thing. No one is just what they’ve done or their past, mate. People can change.”

One of Ranboo’s pointed ears twitched and they looked down at Phil. If they had eyebrows, one would’ve been quirked up to their nonexistent hairline.

“Yeah, I guess, but what about someone like Dream?”

As soon as Phil had spoken, his mind had gone to that same question. What about someone like Dream? Could they even make that judgement when he was barely himself, so deeply traumatized that he rather spend his time as a rabbit? There might be some who thought that was the ideal; he couldn’t hurt anyone, couldn’t cause problems and even Phil had entertained that idea for a moment. But it felt so awful to even think that he knew it couldn’t be that way. There had to be a better option, there had to be a chance.

“Guess that’s up to the little shit himself,” said Phil, finally. “Almost there. I don’t see Punz anywhere.”

The clearing that had been designated as the meeting place was empty. Phil pulled an arrow from the quiver and held it against his bow. If this was a trap, they would be ready. He stepped from the trees, looking around. Still nothing.

“Uh, maybe he’s late?”

“If this is a fucking set-up…”

From the trees, there was the soft cough of someone who wanted make certain they weren’t startling anyone and then Punz stepped into view. Unlike Phil and Ranboo, they weren’t wearing armor, only the white jacket with the hood pulled up. There were grass and dirt stains on the knees of their pants and the gold chain caught the light when they moved.

“I had to make sure you weren’t followed,” he said by way of explanation. “Hey, Ranboo.”

“Uh, hi.”

“Let’s cut to the chase,” Phil said. “What the hell is going on? You said you had stuff we needed to know, so talk.”

Punz looked at Phil, looked at the bow, and then shrugged.

“Bad and Ant quit, they’re not working for Sam anymore.”

“Huh.”

A look of confusion crossed Phil’s face and he glanced at Ranboo.

“So? What does that have to do with anything?” he asked.

Sighing, Punz took a few steps closer, making certain to keep their hands visible. They had seen the bow in Phil’s hand and they weren’t stupid.

“Sam has no one right now. Quackity is holed up in Las Nevadas, convinced that Dream and Techno are coming to destroy it. And I have it on very good authority that he’s only got one person who is still actually on his side,” they said.

Phil rocked back on his heels a bit.

“So, Sam has no prison guards and Quackity is running scared. Does anyone else know what’s going on?”

“Not that I can tell,” said Punz, one shoulder moving upwards. “Or they don’t care. No one’s been out to Techno’s place since Bad and Ant quit.”

“You sound pretty damn sure of that.”

“Well, yeah, I’ve been watching,” they said, ignoring the suspicion in Phil’s voice. “I wanted to check on Dream but—”

Ranboo cleared their throat.

“You don’t want anyone else to know you’re working with him. I mean, that’s what I’d assume.”

“Yeah. I figured the longer Sam and Quackity don’t know, the better, but I thought I should tell you all what’s going on.”

Phil put the arrow back into the quiver. He didn’t know Punz well enough to read them the way he was able to read Techno or even Ranboo but there was genuine worry in his eyes and Phil thought he could trust that. Running over all the questions that he had in his head, Phil settled on the one question that stuck out the most.

“What do you think we should do?”

The question caught Punz off-guard and they blinked, shoving their hands into the pockets of the jacket.

“I guess, stay hiding out for a few days wouldn’t be a bad idea,” said Punz, slowly. “But I think if they know where you are, if there’s a show of strength… Quackity is already running scared. I don’t think he’s going to go anywhere. I can keep an eye on them for you, give a heads up.”

Nodding, Phil considered that. They had to do something; staying in the meeting room forever wasn’t viable and if Punz was right about Sam losing both his guards and Quackity be afraid of payback – which, Phil thought dryly, he damn well should be – then they had a foundation to build their plan on.

“Then keep us updated, mate.”

Punz gave a short nodded, pulling an ender pearl out from their pocket, tossing it high over the tops of the trees where it disappeared from sight.

“Just—Tell Dream I still have his back, would you?”

A second later, they were gone.

Chapter Text

“He hasn’t eaten anything,” said Niki, dejected. She had tried all the baked goods she had brought, had tried mushroom stew, had even offered a golden carrot, but the only thing Dream had accepted was another few licks of a sugar cube. “I know it’s only been a day but he really needs his strength.”

At the table, Techno was just finishing up his second muffin and was considering his third. For the past hour Niki had been trying to get the rabbit to eat anything and while Techno shared her concern, he was taking a bit of joy in seeing someone else struggle with it firsthand.

“Don’t worry, I’m gonna make him some mashed peas. Those are his favorite,” Techno said in a sing-song voice. On the floor next to Niki, the rabbit lifted his head and looked at Techno. He made another weak attempt to stomp his foot, wobbling slightly, but managing to right himself. That gave Techno some hope for how he would adapt. “I dunno man, these muffins she made are pretty dang tasty. It’s either that or I start mashin’ some peas.”

The rabbit stomped its remaining foot one more time but moved closer to Niki. She offered him a carrot muffin. He sniffed it, took exactly two bites and then sat, furiously cleaning his face with his paws.

“Oh.” Niki looked to Techno, a deep frown on her face, bottom lip wobbling slightly. “Did he not like it? That’s one of my best recipes.”

It took every ounce of self-control Techno had not to laugh.

“Nah, he’s just like that. He can’t help it,” he said, the voices in his head laughing where he was holding back.

The rabbit flicked an ear in Techno’s direction before lying down.

“Oh, well. I guess as long as he ate something, that’s what really matters in the end.” She gave him a scratch on the head and he closed his eyes. “We can always try something a little easier tomorrow.”

The rabbit pinned his ears back, side rising and falling quickly. If he was nervous or stressed, it was hard to tell because the rabbit so often seemed to be nervous and high-strung. Techno remembered the times he had been around Dream before, remembered the way he’d chatter when his guard was down, how he had moved constantly in a way that was all too familiar. Scratching at the side of his face, Techno smiled.

“I’m thinkin’ that’s a good plan.”

It was as much of a plan as they had currently, for anything.

If Techno had felt up to it, he would be pacing, waiting for Phil and Ranboo to get back. The thought that if he felt this way, if his body ached so much, then he couldn’t imagine and didn’t want to imagine how Dream felt crossed his mind and with a groan he got to his feet, moving to sit next to Dream, on the opposite side from Niki. Dream opened one eye but didn’t move. The recent injuries made him look even more bedraggled than when Techno had first found him. All the progress they had made undone by three or so days of cruelty.

“It might help if we could give him an actual bath,” said Niki, following Techno’s gaze down to the rabbit. “I don’t know how he’d feel about that, though, but I think it’d help. It’s just hard, isn’t it, to know what would help and what would… Make him feel worse.”

Techno understood.

Treating Dream like a bunny, making him feel safe, was what had gotten through to him the first time. Eventually, he had trusted Techno enough to change into his human form of his own volition. But it felt wrong to treat him like some stray rabbit he had brought home now that he knew for certain the he was Dream, not Gary, not just a rabbit.

“Well,” he said finally, “I left my ribbons back home so he’ll be happy about that, at least.”

Niki’s eyes lit up, scrunching her nose, and Techno just knew that she was imagining Dream the rabbit with ribbons. He snorted in amusement.

“Yeah, not gonna lie, it was pretty cute.”

The moment that Phil and Ranboo returned, Techno had a dozen questions he wanted to ask. Even the rabbit had perked up, taking a few steps closer, still working out how to walk with the missing foot. But they both looked tired and a bit sweaty so Techno held his tongue until they had sat down and drank some water. The rabbit had followed suit if only because Dream didn’t feel like changing from a rabbit to a person and no one could speak rabbit.

After what seemed like an eternity, Phil took a deep breath and spoke.

“Met up with Punz and they said that both Bad and Ant quit working for Sam.”

Techno stopped his pacing.

“Heh? So, you’re sayin’ that Sam has no guards now?”

“Yup! All quit, I mean, according to Punz,” said Ranboo.

“Do we think that we can believe them?” Niki asked.

Techno glanced towards the rabbit; he pushed the blanket forward with his front paws, ears also pointed forward.

“Gonna be honest, I don’t think those two were too happy about their jobs in the first place so I’m bettin’ we can trust them on this,” he said. There was a sense of relief and hope growing in the pit of his stomach and Techno wanted to hang onto it.

“That’s what I think, mate,” Phil said, nodding. “Punz also said Quackity is in hiding. They reckon that we’d be safe going back up to the cabins but they’re going to keep an eye on everything, keep us updated.”

“Well, we sure as heck can’t stay here forever.” Techno groaned, stretching out before beginning to pace the room once more. “I mean, I gotta feed my animals.”

“I need to check on Michael.”

Niki shifted where she sat, a look of grief passing over her face. She rubbed a hand across her eyes, sniffling a little.

“I could always stay with him,” she said and nodded her head towards the rabbit. “I mean, I can stay with Dream here, if you need me to.”

“Maybe, maybe,” said Techno. “I’d kinda rather not spilt our forces, if y’know what I mean.”

Phil snorted in amusement.

“You’d hope Sam isn’t stupid enough to try to take on all four of us at once,” he said, taking one last drink of his water. He got to his feet and moved to crouch down in front of the rabbit. “What do you think, mate?”

Both Dream and the rabbit thought Sam was probably exactly that stupid. He was sitting but still managed to flop on his side dramatically. Phil laughed, holding his hand out to let the rabbit sniff him, expecting to be bitten but instead the rabbit brushed his nose against Phil’s fingers. Phil lowered his voice.

“Got a message for you from Punz; they’ve still got your back.”

The rabbit looked up at Phil and then sank into the blankets, closing its eyes.

Chapter Text

After another message from Punz, both Phil and Ranboo had gone to feed the animals and so that Ranboo could check in on Michael while they scouted out the cabins, making certain that there was no one lurking around. That left Techno and Niki alone with the rabbit, left them heating up water to fill up a bowl, left them finding the softest, smallest blanket to use as a towel, having decided that this was the best use of their time.

The rabbit did not agree, apparently.

Techno straightened, one hand rubbing his lower back with a wince.

“Where the heck could a bunny missin’ a foot go in one room?” he asked.

Niki shrugged with a frown. 

“He has to be around here somewhere. Are you sure he’s not under the blankets?”

“Pretty sure,” he said but went to look again. It was definitely possible that he had overlooked Dream. There were times that the rabbit was so still and small that Techno felt his heart plummet, afraid he had died. Sweat was beginning to bead on his forehead.

“Oh! I found him, Techno,” exclaimed Niki, the relief clear in her voice. “He’s under the table, I think the chair was hiding him.”

Techno let out the breath he had been holding. He bent down next to Niki and looked under the table. The rabbit was tucked under one of the legs of the table, holding completely still, and it wasn’t until Niki had moved the chair that she was able to see him at all.

“You’re really makin’ this harder than it needs to be.” Techno started to crawl under the table and immediately almost hit his head. “Actually, I think you could reach a bit better there, Niki.”

Niki glanced over at him.

“Oh, well, I think if I tried to grab him, he might bite me,” she said. “You should probably do it, since he trusts you more.”

It was hard to argue with that. Chances were if Niki tried to pull him out from his hiding spot, he would absolutely bite her. Techno would put diamonds on that. He sighed.

“Alright, alright,” he said, flattening himself as he crawled forward a little, close enough to reach the rabbit. “Listen, man, if you bite me, I’m gonna—”

The rabbit swiveled its ears towards him, fuzzy nose sniffing the air.

“Yeah, okay, Dream, you’re lucky you’re cute ‘cause I know you’re gonna bite me.” And Techno wouldn’t do anything other roll his eyes. He understood that it wasn’t about him, it wasn’t about actually wanting to hurt him, but feeling helpless and desperately trying to cling onto anything that made that feeling go away. He scooped up the rabbit and the bite was soft, almost apologetic. “You’re such a loser, man.”

He got to his feet, groaning and leaning on the table.

“The water is still nice and warm,” said Niki, testing it once more with her wrist. Worry was still on her face but she sat down on the edge of the table, pulling the blanket closer. “I know there’s not any soap but we can get the blood and dirt off.”

“He is startin’ to smell a little,” Techno said, carefully lowering the rabbit into the bowl of water. Dream kicked at first but settled down quickly. They had done this before and even if it was awkward, there was a comfort in that.

“Aw, he doesn’t smell, be nice.” She scooped up water, pouring it over his back and using a corner of the blanket to gently scrub at the parts of his fur where it was more matted. The water was already cloudy, bits of tan fur floating on the surface. “Well, it’s not really his fault.”

Lowering his head a little, Techno whispered, “See, she thinks you stink, too.”

The rabbit shook itself and water splashed onto Techno and Niki.

“Hm,” Niki said.

“Now, I’m not gonna say I told you so, but…”

The rabbit didn’t mind the bath, not really.

There were clumps in its fur that it didn’t have the energy to pull out, places where it couldn’t quite reach until it learned how to balance again, and all that was making it itch, making it harder to get comfortable and sleep.

And it trusted the pigman, almost trusted the woman with the sugar.

(There was a memory, fleeting, that Dream held of his head being shoved under water until he couldn’t breathe, of having buckets of cold water tossed on him and shivering as he had to wipe away his own blood to the satisfaction of Sam. He didn’t plead with him anymore at that point, he knew it wouldn’t do any good. That memory had made him kick when Techno put him into the water but he was tired.)

It did not, however, believe it had smelled and took a bit of offense to that and wasn’t certain as if that was a rabbit thought or a Dream thought.

It was starting not to matter which was which.

The rabbit was tired.

“I think he’s feeling a little better, don’t you?”

In Niki’s lap, the rabbit was bundled up in the blanket. It was hard to tell if he was feeling better but Dream was certainly looking better; the fur was patchy in places because of the injuries but it was clean and soft to the touch. It would take awhile for everything to heal properly but the potions had taken care of the major injuries, including the stump of his ankle, though some scarring would always remain.

It would take awhile but it was starting to feel less daunting.

Techno reached out and scratched his head. The rabbit rubbed his teeth together, making a sound that was something like a stuttering purr.

“Yeah, I think he’s feelin’ a little better,” Techno agreed. “Maybe he’d like a muffin.”

“Could you get one? I don’t want to jostle him,” she said.

Leaning his head back, Techno groaned. He should’ve known that was coming. He got up and began digging through the basket on the table, trying to find the softest muffin that he could, not caring that he had touched almost all of them.

“Here.” He sat down next to the pair and pulled off a piece of the muffin, holding it in front of Dream’s nose. “Let’s make a deal, man. You eat a little of this and when we get back home, I’ll throw away all the split peas.”

The rabbit looked at Techno with significantly more suspicion than he thought a rabbit was capable of.

“Oh, that is a good deal.”

The rabbit wiggled out of Niki’s lap. He hit the floor awkwardly but righted himself then hopped away into the corner. Three paws versus four was a change that had thrown Dream off, threw him off when he thought about it too much, but if he let the rabbit instinct take over it was easier. Hunching up in the corner, the rabbit stared at the other two.

Even from a distance, both Niki and Techno could feel the anger.

Techno sighed.

“Maybe I should leave you two alone?” suggested Niki, already getting to her feet.

“Yeah, thanks, Niki.”

As soon as she was gone, the meeting room door closed behind her, Techno got up and to moved to sit next to Dream once again. His body was protesting getting up and down so often and he really couldn’t wait to get back to his home and his chair and his bed.

“Look, man, I get it,” he said. “No one likes to be treated like this, alright? But you gotta eat, Dream, and I don’t know how to get it through to you any other way, y’know? You’re too dang stubborn. You do realize no one here wants to see you starve, right?”

The rabbit slid a little on the stone floor, no longer hunched up into a ball.

“Yeah.” Techno put his hand on the rabbit’s back, smoothing the fur under his fingers. If Dream didn’t realize that, Techno wouldn’t be surprised. Once again, he thought about the look on Dream’s face in the prison and how much pain and anger had been there. “I’m sorry, alright? And Niki means well, she’s just tryin’ to help but it’s hard when you don’t let us.”

Not that it was Dream’s fault, either. He was clinging to any scrap of safety that he could and wasn’t it already asking a lot of him to trust Techno as much as he did? Techno scratched a finger against Dream’s cheek.

“Alright, Dream, alright. The deal still stands. I just want you to eat somethin’,” he said, placing the bit of muffin down in front of the rabbit and leaning back against the wall. When he felt Dream move, he kept quiet, looking down without moving his head and smiled. The piece of muffin disappeared into Dream’s mouth.

Chapter Text

“So, how’s it lookin’?” asked Techno as soon as Phil and Ranboo got back, not waiting for them to settle in this time around. It hadn’t been that long since leaving the prison but it was becoming more and more apparent that Dream couldn’t handle being around so many people this consistently. “Is Punz tellin’ the truth?”

Phil took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair with a sigh.

“Think so, mate. They’re not watching the portals anymore, I didn’t see a damn thing up by the cabins, either,” he said.

Stopping next to where Techno was sitting, Ranboo gave a quick glance down at him, smile thin.

“Michael’s doing okay.” They twisted their long fingers together. “He’s, uh, happy to know the bunny is alright but I told him no cakes, not yet.”

Techno gave a snort of laughter and looked down at Dream, whose ears had gone back the moment the baby was mentioned, as if he expected to be picked up and have his face shoved into a cake any second, despite Ranboo’s words.

“I’m thinkin’ that’s a good idea, honestly,” he said. “The sooner we can get back to the cabins, the better.”

“Is he not doing so good here?” asked Phil, inclining his head towards the rabbit.

“Not really, Phil, not really. There’s a bit too much of—” Techno waved a hand towards the whole room, frowning. “Everythin’.”

“Kinda thought as much.” Digging into his inventory, Phil pulled out the basket that Techno had used to keep the rabbit in when he had first found him. “And I thought having this might help a little.”

“I knew I could count on you, Phil.”

Techno took the basket and set it next to him. Immediately, the rabbit lifted his head, sniffed it, briefly chewed on the wicker, then nudged it. Techno scooped him up and set him inside. The rabbit dug in the blanket briefly before flopping onto his side, breathing hard, just that having taken all his energy.

“Should we start packing everything up to head back or…?” Niki looked around the room. “Not that there’s really that much to pack up.”

“How about we get another night’s sleep? I don’t know about anyone else, but I know Phil is old so he’s probably tired,” said Techno, chuckling a little at his own joke.

Phil reached down and patted him on the shoulder.

“Real funny, mate.”

“Am I wrong?”

Squeezing Techno’s shoulder, Phil shook his head, the smile on his face soft and fond.

“Not even a little.”

The rabbit felt safer in the basket.

It was the high walls and soft blankets that felt a lot like the den, down in the warren, through the burrows. The rabbit wasn’t sure it had ever truly had a warren of its own, it had thought so once, but even if it hadn’t, a rabbit knew what that safety felt like. It was in every bit of sinew and muscle and every strand of fur.

(Dream knew it had nothing to do with burrows or dens and everything to do with the fact the basket had always been safe, that the first place in ages he had been safe was the cabin and the basket and with Techno. It made him angry and sad in ways that he couldn’t place and—)

The rabbit shook itself then rubbed one paw over its ear, trying to clean it. The scabs itched, having been agitated recently.

All the people in the room were talking, making plans and the rabbit only half-listened. Next to it, the pigman made the occasional grunt or nodded his head, making certain not to move as much as possible. The rabbit could still smell the hurt and pain on him.

If he doesn’t get better, he might not be able to take care of me, the rabbit thought.

It’s his damn fault, he came back when he didn’t have to, the other voice snapped.

And then another, softer, that’s not how it happened and you know that.

The rabbit did know it.

(Dream did as well but as far as he was concerned it didn’t matter; both times it was Techno choosing to help him, to sacrifice himself for Dream, and Dream didn’t know the score anymore, didn’t know why he’d go to such lengths. And when he had tried to repay Techno, tried to do something that would make him worthy of all the trouble, Techno had gone and undone it.

He buried his face into the blanket. It smelled like smoke and pine sap.)

The thin mattress was better than the bed in the first cell Techno had been put in, was much better than sleeping on the obsidian floor of the main cell, but he could never quite get comfortable, no matter how much he tried, and he always woke up sore. Without opening his eyes, Techno reached out his hand, feeling the area around the bed, until his fingers hit the basket. Then he reached inside and pet the rabbit’s fur. Dream jerked away and Techno winced – he should’ve known better – but after a moment, he laid back down.

Techno could hear the movement of the others in the room as they packed up, doing their best to be as silent as possible. Guilt plucked up in his chest.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m gettin’ up,” he said to no one in particular.

A shadow stopped over him.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Techno, we were really trying to be quiet,” said Niki.

He opened one eye.

“Nah, you’re fine, Niki, you’re fine.” He pushed himself up, rubbed his hand across his eyes, before looking for his glasses. For a brief second, the broken lens meant there were three Nikis. “I needed to get up, anyway. I mean, gotta get home in time for bed.”

From somewhere else in the room, Ranboo snorted in laughter.

“Get your ass up then, mate,” Phil said, giving him a light nudge with his foot as he passed.

“Alright, that’s it,” said Techno, standing up and yawning. “Yeah, I got nothin’.”

“What you’ve got is bunny duty.” Phil nodded towards the basket and then lowered his voice. “I think he was having nightmares, kept twitching himself awake. Probably best if you’re the one that brings him back.”

Looking over his shoulder, Techno saw that the rabbit had sat up. He was posed perfectly, would have made the ideal rabbit silhouette had it not been for the ragged ears and missing patches of fur. One of his ears was turned towards Techno and Phil and he knew they had been overheard.

“Yeah, I was plannin’ on it,” he said. “I should reset the stasis chamber, just in case… Just in case.”

He dug into his pockets; there had to be a pearl in there somewhere, Techno knew that much. When he found it, he dropped it into the gently roiling water. Techno wasn’t planning on having to use the chamber again but it had worked too perfectly not to have as a back-up plan. Once it was set, he clapped his hands together lightly.

“Remind me that the next time Dream is feelin’ up to it, that we get him to set up a stasis chamber here.”

There was a beat of silence as the other three exchanged glances but then Ranboo nodded.

“Yeah. Yeah, sure, we can do that,” they said, shoulders rising in a shrug.

The vague air of awkwardness was fading but Techno shifted, looking over at the basket. Niki followed his gaze.

“It is a good idea, like Techno said, just in case.”

“Unless he wants to do it now,” said Phil. “We’re already here.”

Frowning, Techno turned and knelt down in front of the basket. As soon as he had gotten closer, Dream had flattened himself as best he could against the blankets and base of the basket. He was trembling.

“I can get these fools to leave so it’d be just you and me,” he said, lowering his voice until it was a whisper. “It wouldn’t take that long, man.”

It wouldn’t. Techno had an extra pearl or four in his inventory and there was already an unused stasis chamber, the one attached to the chair with the name that belonged to no one. It had been a symbol or that’s how Techno intended it, to show that no one would be forced into anything they didn’t want to be. If they used it now, it’d be a symbol of something else.

 But he looked at Dream, still trembling and eyes wide, and knew there was no way he could manage, not right now. It would be to much. Techno reached out and scratched his cheek.

“Yeah, that’s fine, man. It’s fine.” He put his hands on his knees and pushed himself to his feet. “I don’t think he’s up to it.”

“Yeah…” Ranboo cleared their throat. “I can’t say I really blame him after, like, everything…”

“We’ll get it next time, then,” said Phil. “We should head out. Don’t want Techno to miss his bedtime and Punz said everything’s all clear.”

“Ha, ha, very funny, Phil,” Techno said, the laughter in his voice saying that he did, in fact, find it funny. He bent to pick up the basket. The rabbit splayed his legs out, eyes even wider than before, and pinned his ears back, watching Techno intently. “I know what you’re thinkin’, alright, I’m not gonna drop you.”

As they were making their way out of the room, Niki stopped at the edge of the doorway and looked back into the meeting room.

“Maybe next time, I could try adding a few decorative touches. Do you think next time we’ll get to have the book club?” she asked.

Techno paused.

“Yeah, I’m bettin’ next time we’re here, it’ll be for the intended purposes.”

Chapter Text

The cabin was exactly how Techno had left it though the fire had gone out and there was a chill in the air that was slightly stuffy. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Phil lingering on the bridge, in front of his own door, and Techno gave him a wave before stepping inside. He didn’t lock the door behind him; the secret was out and if Punz was to be trusted, they shouldn’t have to worry about unwanted visitors.

Setting the basket down near the hearth, Techno began to pile the logs and arranging the kindling beneath them before using flint and steel to light them. The embers started red and low but Techno fanned them and soon the fire was catching. He watched it for a moment before he shook himself and got to his feet.

“Once it warms up in here, I’ll open a window,” he said. “I was gonna ask if you’re hungry but I already know what the answer is.”

The rabbit stopped tugging at the blankets, leaned up against the side of the basket, and gave a thump of his hind leg. The noise wasn’t as loud as it used to be, the action wasn’t as strong, but he managed.

Techno shook his head. Dream’s stubbornness could be the most annoying thing in the world but it also was the reason Techno had faith that Dream would recover, that things would get better for him eventually. As long as there were people to help him when he needed, as long as he was willing to accept that help.

“Oh, now you’re mad.” Techno chuckled, picking up the basket and moving it a little closer to the fire. “It’s not my fault you’re that predictable, man.”

The rabbit flipped one edge of the blanket up.

“Yeah, yeah,” said Techno as he sat down in his chair. He sighed, a smile crossing his face. The rocking chair had been carved by him, with help from Phil, and it was wider than a typical chair, the arms curve perfectly to fit him. There was nothing more satisfying than sitting in your favorite chair, Techno decided. “It’s good to be home, huh.”

The rabbit froze, looking at Techno, and tilted his head to the side, as if waiting for something, for Techno to say something. Techno snorted. He knew Dream and he had a feeling he knew what he was waiting for.

“Look, don’t tell anyone, but fine. You’re not homeless.”

The rabbit gave a small jump, as best as he could manage in the basket with three feet, and flopped over onto his side, stomach exposed. There was a glint in his green eyes that even as a rabbit Techno could read as a sort of smug satisfaction. Shaking his head, Techno bit back the retort that had bubbled up. He could let Dream win this one.

The rabbit felt the pounding of its heart slow once they were back in the cabin, away from all the other people it hadn’t quite made up its mind about. The smells in the cabin were familiar and the pigman had started a fire and it could feel its aching bones begin to warm up slowly. It could be safe here, sleeping in its basket.

Unless they come back, its other voice thought, they’ve come here before.

It was true but the rabbit didn’t like to think of that.

Carefully, it licked the stump of where its foot had been. The strange liquid that typically meant more pain was coming had healed most of the injury, though the fur was still missing, and the rabbit trusted that no pain would follow. It trusted the pigman.

I don’t want to leave, it thought.

Yeah, well, it’s not fucking our decision, is it, its other voice responded, angry and sad all wrapped up into one.

The rabbit tugged at the blanket. Its jaw still hurt but not enough to override the desire to chew on something, make itself more comfortable. Once the blanket was exactly how it wanted, the rabbit laid back down, resting its head on its front paws.

But the pigman said it’s our home, came the reply, and I believe Techno. He came for me.

The smell of honey and tea and sweet berries filled the cabin and Dream didn’t want to think anymore.

The bowl of sweetened oatmeal that Techno had placed near Dream had gone untouched and the clothes he had placed on the stool were still there. Not that Techno had expected anything but he had hoped for it. He had left the rabbit alone in the room a few times, going into the kitchen to make a new cup of tea or snack on some jerky or dried fruit. He had tried to give him as much room as possible because Techno wanted Dream to change.

He wanted to talk to him, to know that he was alright, and to understand why Dream had been so angry.

There was nothing.

Techno could tell sometimes that Dream was more Dream than he was the bunny by the way he responded to certain things. Or didn’t in some cases. (Looking back with his knowledge, Techno thought he might been too easy on him with the teasing.) But he was Dream a good chunk of time, Techno thought, and that had to mean something.

Yawning, Techno decided that it wasn’t worth staying up any later. It would be good to force anything, he knew that much. He got to his feet and took a look out the window by the door, across the bridge to Phil’s place. There was a light still on and Techno knew that Phil had his own questions. Now that the others were involved, things had gotten more complicated.

“Well, I’m goin’ to bed,” he said, moving to stand next to the basket and looking down at Dream. “I’m guessin’ you’d rather come up with me instead of bein’ down here alone.”

The rabbit put his front paws on the rim of the basket, shaking and wobbling to the side. With a laugh, Techno bent to pick him up and used one hand to climb the ladder, the next floor low enough that Techno could pull himself up with ease. He was careful not to jostle the rabbit and for his part, Dream didn’t struggle though when Techno set him down on pillow, he laid down, still trembling. 

“You better get some sleep, man.” Tugging off his overshirt and belt, Techno tossed them in the general direction of his dresser. They missed the open drawer. Under his breath, Techno muttered, “Technoblade never misses.”

One of Dream’s ears turned towards Techno but otherwise he didn’t move as Techno laid down, as still as death.

With a sigh, Techno reached out and stroked his head before he pulled the blanket up, covering Dream. The bed was the sort of comfortable that took years of lying on it just right to get and there was no reason to struggle to find the perfect spot. But Techno scooted closer under the guise of getting comfortable and then looped his arm around Dream, not touching but there.

After a moment, Dream stretched out and leaned against Techno’s arm, still trembling but there.

Chapter Text

The rabbit was dreaming.

In its sleep, it trembled and it dreamed of fear and pain and screams that rung out into a black box of stone only to fall on deaf ears. No one heard or if they did, no one cared. The rabbit had been told that and it had no reason not to believe it.

(That was what Dream had planned, after all, to be hated enough that no one would think twice about him once he was locked inside.)

The rabbit was dreaming and these dreams were people dreams. It could feel the hands around its throat, the knee on its chest, pinning it down. It could smell burning skin and blood and piss.

(That wasn’t what Dream had planned and at first he had raged against it and after awhile he began to wonder if it had been deserved all along.)

These were not the dreams it should be having, the rabbit thought.

Those dreams should have stayed people Dreams, but the rabbit remembered being held by the scruff of the neck, remembered its ears being twisted, remember the sharp blades snapping its foot off like a still green twig.

What good was a rabbit that couldn’t run, couldn’t burrow?

All it could think about was getting away, running and finding some place to hide, even on three paws. Anything was better than these thoughts it could do nothing about, thoughts that it shouldn’t be having. Anger that was in its chest that made it sad, a sadness that shouldn’t be there.

If it ran, perhaps things would be alright.

If I run, maybe this time I can forget, maybe this time I can get it right, the other voice thought weakly.

The rabbit dreamed of running.

And then it dreamed of falling.

It took a lot to wake Techno up from a deep sleep but a panicked rabbit running across his chest and face and then a loud thud would do it every time.

He shot up in bed, scrambling for his glasses. His fingers smeared the cracked lenses but Techno shoved them on regardless and looked around. The rabbit wasn’t anywhere to be seen and he got out of bed, thinking about the thud that had woken him. Techno looked down.

At the bottom of the ladder, Dream was curled up in a ball.

He had hit the ground on the first floor and been lucky enough that’s where he stopped, instead of falling down into the basement and onto the stone floor. Already he was risking broken bones but a fall like that could’ve killed him.

Sliding down the ladder, Techno made sure to avoid stepping on him. It was dark and hard to tell what shapes was the clutter of his cabin and which was his friend.

“Dream?” Techno crouched and put his hand on Dream’s back. His skin was cold and clammy. “Dream, are you alive there, man?”

He was but there was no answer. His heartbeat was erratic and his breathing was weak. Getting back up, Techno turned the knob on the lantern, the flame growing from barely anything to lighting half the room.

The light did what Techno’s words and touch couldn’t.

Dream shot up, scrambling back, the leg that was missing a foot falling through the space for the ladder to the basement and catching briefly, before his back hit the opposite wall. His eyes were wide and wild, ears laid back. Blood was smeared across his face, still pouring from his nose.

“Easy, Dream, it’s just me,” said Techno, kneeling down in front of him after snatching his cloak from the hook. He draped it over Dream as best he could. The man was still now, utterly so, except from the blood dripping down his chin. “Look at you, all my time livin’ here and not even one of the dogs or the foxes has fallen down the ladder like this.”

Techno sighed. He would need some warm water and a towel. The way Dream’s leg had been twisted to the side made him worry that it had either been sprained or broken. If he had fallen as a rabbit, the drop would’ve been higher, would’ve done more damage.

“C’mon, it looks like you busted up your nose pretty bad.” Dipping the towel into the bowl of warm water, Techno began wiping away the blood. Dream jerked back once more, hard enough that he smacked his head on the wall. “Seriously man? You’re just hurtin’ yourself here.”

Carefully, Techno cupped his hand behind Dream’s head and shifted him so that if he did the same thing, he wouldn’t hit his head next time. It was the least that he could do. Dream didn’t react to the touch beyond a slight flinch, a brief flicker of his eyes towards Techno.

“You wanna tell me what happened? ‘Cause it was obviously somethin’ and I need to know if I should be bunny proofin’ my house or not,” he said.

That got more of a reaction and Dream frowned, finally shifting where he sat and wincing when he did so. His leg hurt and he rubbed his hand against it, letting Techno wipe the remaining blood away from his face. It made him feel shame, hot and thick in his chest, but he didn’t have the energy to resist. He didn’t have the energy to do anything besides glare ineffectually at Techno.

It made him feel a bit better, at least.

“So are you just not gonna tell me what’s goin’ on or what, Dream.”

“I had a bad—” Dream stopped, his fingers stilling, his frown deepening.

Techno gave a quiet chuckle.

“You had a bad dream, huh?”

Dream lifted his hand again and Techno took it in his own, wrapping his fingers around Dream’s.

“And now you’re gonna flip me off, I know, Dream, I know,” he said. “Look, I’m tryin’ to help you. What they did to you, why you were so angry— I just want to help, yeah, Dream?”

Dream wanted to pull his hand away but he didn’t and he told himself that it was because he didn’t have the strength to do so but that wasn’t the truth. The touch was gentle and he wanted that, needed that, and he was angry because he had tried so desperately to deserve it.

If he wasn’t Dream, then he wasn’t to be hated and tortured and feared. Rabbits were soft and gentle and he might have been that way, once, before everything but now he couldn’t be that way. Not if he wanted to force things back to the way it had been.

If he had given himself up for Techno, then maybe he would’ve been worth all the trouble, maybe he wouldn’t feel he owed Techno for each act of kindness, maybe he wouldn’t carry that guilt for keeping score as if it was a game and he could rig it so things would be normal again.

But right now, he was tired and couldn’t pretend that it hadn’t gotten so far out of control.

He nodded.

“Alright, let’s take a look at this leg of yours,” said Techno, finally letting go of Dream’s hand, patting it as he set it back on the man’s lap. Dream seemed out of it, not noticing that he had no clothes on, and so Techno did his best to ignore that fact as well. “Well, good news, I don’t think it’s broken. The last thing you need is to bang up your remainin’ good leg.”

Dream’s mouth turned down slightly.

The shin was scrapped and red and in an hour, the whole thing would likely be bruised. But beneath Techno’s fingers, he couldn’t feel any break, and it seemed most of the damage was his remaining ankle being twisted. It could have been worse.

Techno rocked back on his hooves with a frown.

“If I wrap this ankle and you shift back to bein’ a cute lil’ bunny, it’s gonna come undone, huh,” he said. “So either you need to stay like this or I’m gonna have to figure out how wrap a bunny’s ankle.”

Dream’s nose twitched and then he shrugged; Techno had answered his own question and Dream didn’t have anything else to add.

“Yeah, you’re a great help here, Dream.” There was affection in the words. “I’m gonna pick you up, take you over to the chair, so I can wrap this up. You can just—stay like this, alright, Dream?”

It took Techno a moment to figure out the best way to pick him up – the way he was sitting against one of the chests, unmoving, was awkward – and finally he slipped one arm under his legs and grabbed one of Dream’s arms with the other. The man weighed almost nothing and they weren’t going very far.

He pulled a stool over and propped Dream’s leg up on it. It was harder to see how bad the ankle was because of the fur covering his legs. The fur tapered off above the knee and there were patches missing or places where the skin beneath had been scared causing the fur to thin but none of that helped the current situation.

“You really had to be the first to go and fall down the dang ladder, huh?” asked Techno, a yawn muffling half of the words. He couldn’t tell what time it was, only that he hadn’t gotten the sleep that he needed. Dream sunk down slightly into the chair.

“It wasn’t on purpose,” he signed.

“I know, Dream, I know.” Digging around for the first aid kit, Techno shook his head, the corner of his mouth pulled into a slight grin. “I’m just teasin’ you.”

When Techno turned around, Dream was sunk down even further in the chair and his arms were crossed over chest, glaring at Techno. It made Techno chuckle even though he tried not to.

“I’m sorry, man, it’s just—” He waved a hand in Dream’s general direction. “Everyone’s so scared of you, y’know? You’re the big bad but you’re just a cute little bunny.”

Stating it out loud made the whole thing even funnier to Techno and he bent over, his laughter ringing out in the cabin. Dream stared at him in disbelief.

“What—What is wrong with you?” he asked, having to clear his throat. It was sore; the words that had spilled out from him at the prison were the most he had spoken in awhile.

“Oh, c’mon, Dream,” said Techno, crouching down in front of Dream and began wrapping his ankle. “You know I’m right. I’m guessin’ that’s why you wore that dang mask all the time.”

The annoyance on Dream’s face all but disappeared and his nose began twitching as he tried to keep a straight face and failed miserably.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Techno gave a huff of laughter. “Well, I can’t blame you for that, I’m gonna be honest. Besides, you got the better end of the deal. You saw my wanted poster, at least yours didn’t look like a monstrosity.”

Dream titled his head to the side in feigned confusion.

“I thought it looked just like you,” he signed.

“Alright, that’s it, I’m gonna get Phil and tell him to go ahead and make rabbit stew out of you,” said Techno, getting to his feet.

“What?” Dream’s voice cracked painfully and he licked his lips. “That’s like—That’s cannibalism.”

Techno stopped and held up a finger.

“Technically it’s not,” he said, “Because you’re a rabbit and Phil’s an old man.”

One of Dream’s ears twitched back, his expression going between confused and annoyed and thoughtful and all the way back again. He slouched down even further in the chair.

“You’re gonna fall if you keep that up.”

There was silence as Techno went about putting up the first aid supplies. It was still dark out and he was tired but he didn’t feel like trying to carry Dream back upstairs. Instead, he decided to bring a few blankets and pillows down to the main room. Techno threw the blankets over his shoulder and tucked the pillows under his arm as he climbed back down.

In the chair, Dream was still slouched down, a slight flush of embarrassment on his face, both hands holding onto the arms of the chair. Even from across the room, Techno could see that his grip was tight, knuckles white. Techno waited.

“I—I can’t get back up,” said Dream, finally.

“I’m not gonna say I told you so,” Techno said, setting the blankets down and pulling Dream back up to a sitting position. “But I did tell you so, man.”

Phil had waited until the sun was over the horizon to walk across the bridge to Techno’s cabin, hesitation growing with each step he took. He stopped at the door. It was rare Phil would knock – the two have had an open door policy for years – but this situation wasn’t normal. There were so many questions he had, for Techno and for Dream, and he didn’t know if there would ever be a good time to ask them.

That’s what he told himself as he knocked on the door.

A few moments later, Techno opened the door and slipped outside, shutting the door behind him and shivering. He hadn’t taken the time to put on his cloak and was still wearing his night shirt and pants.

“Hullo, Phil,” he whispered.

Phil looked towards the door and then back at Techno.

“Hi, mate,” said Phil. “Is everything alright? Did something happen?”

With a sigh, Techno leaned against the wall of the cabin.

“The bunny fell down the ladder, Phil.” Techno gestured with his head. “He’s got a sprained ankle on top of the missin’ foot and everythin’ else so he’s down here. I’m not sure he’d be too happy about you seein’ him like this.”

Scratching the side of his face, Phil attempted to parse out the hidden meaning in Techno’s words that he was clearly supposed to be catching onto but was slipping right through his fingers.  

“See him like this?” Phil repeated. “I’m so lost here, mate, and it’s freezing out.”

“Yeah…” Techno rubbed his hands over his arms and looked back at the door. “Give me one sec, alright, Phil?”

Techno slipped back into the cabin.

When he had left, Dream had been asleep, head lolling to the side and resting awkwardly on his shoulder. He was awake now, however, and staring at Techno, entire body tense. Techno walked over to him and pulled his cloak up around him better, trying to hide the fact he was still undressed.

“What?” Dream signed.

“It’s just Phil,” he said and then paused, fixing the cloak again as it had been dislodged by Dream moving to ask his question. “I’m gonna let him in. Look—Look, Dream, I know what you’re gonna say and he literally knows, alright? I can’t just leave him out there, it’s freezin’.”

There was no answer from Dream other than him sinking a bit further into the chair and pulling the cloak up. Techno gave him a pat on the shoulder and then draped a blanket across Dream’s lap, just in case.

“Thanks, man,” he said and turned back to the door, opening it wide enough for Phil to step inside. He lowered his voice. “Sorry about that, man. He’s a little skittish.”

It was early enough that the morning light hadn’t filtered into the cabin, making it harder to see, and for a moment Phil didn’t even realize there was someone in the chair that Techno favored. Techno’s cloak was pulled up to Dream’s chin and his rabbit-like nose was twitching every so often as he watched Phil cross the room.

Now he understood what Techno had meant.

“There you are,” said Phil, voice soft, the way he’d speak if he was trying not to startle a wild animal. In a way, that’s exactly what he was doing. He sat in the other chair. “Hey, mate.”

Dream didn’t answer but his ears lifted just a little.

“You want a cup of tea and some toast, Phil?” asked Techno, standing awkwardly in the room, looking between the two of them. “I’m guessin’ you don’t want anythin’, do you, Dream?”

“Sure, mate. I haven’t eaten yet, I’m practically still asleep,” he said with a yawn.

At the same time, Dream shook his head twice.

“Yeah, yeah,” Techno said, shoulders sagging a bit and waving his hand. “One actual breakfast for Phil and one ‘refuses to eat anything unless I threaten him with mashed peas’ for Dream there, got it.”

He disappeared into the kitchen with one final look towards them.

In the silence of the main room, they could hear him begin to move around, water running and metal clinking against metal and wood. Phil watched Dream carefully and Dream carefully pretended not to notice, mouth trembling.

“I’ll be honest,” said Phil, after a moment, “I can see you and the bunny as the same, but the Dream from before? Doesn’t add up yet.”

Dream tilted his head ever so slightly, eyes moving towards Phil, but he didn’t say anything. His fingers gripped the edges of the cloak. Right now he looked frightened and unsure of himself and even in the gray morning light, the scars on his face, neck, and hands were visible.

This wasn’t the man that Phil remembered working with to destroy L’Manberg, not the same man that had laughed so easily in the face of the destruction he caused, not the same man who had stood on the obsidian grid like a specter.

“How are you doing with…” Phil paused, realizing he had no way to frame the question without it sounding absurd. “How’re you feeling, mate?”

Dream shook his head slightly.

“Yeah,” said Phil, leaning back, hands on his knees. He didn’t know what he had expected, not after all the torture inflicted on him. “It’ll take awhile, but you’ll get there.”

He didn’t respond and Phil felt guilt flare up in his chest, knowing what question he planned on asking next. It wasn’t the right time, it might never be the right time, but he couldn’t forget the things he had been told Dream did and the hurt he had caused. There was still the thought that maybe he didn’t do the right thing weighing on him.

“What are you planning to do now?”

The question took a moment to fully settle into Dream’s mind and when it did, he turned to look at Phil fully. He had been wondering that for so long, now that it seemed his plan had fallen apart. Dream remembered the point, once, but it had gotten lost in anger and pain. Now he wasn’t even sure what he had been doing it all for.

Most of the pain from the fall had faded; the sprained ankle was sharp and throbbing, but the rest of the pain, in his jaw, in his ribs that had been crushed and broken, the pain of the missing foot, was dull. A memory. Like every scar and burn that littered his skin.

“What am I supposed to do?” he asked and Phil thought the question was genuine.

It made his chest ache with misplaced grief.

“Yeah, that’s a damn good question, I guess, mate,” he said as he watched Dream’s face, saw the fleeting disappointment when the younger man realized there was no answer coming. “How old are you?”

Confusion crossed Dream’s face.

“What—” He cleared his throat. With Techno, he didn’t have to speak all the time and he liked that much better. If he thought he could hold a quill, he would’ve tried that, but he couldn’t even hold a fork and that was before his brief return visit to the prison. “What year is it?”

The grief that hit Phil wasn’t misplaced this time when he realized that it had been long enough, locked away, that Dream might not even know how old he was.

“Oh, it’s, what? Two thousand and twenty-two? At least last time I checked,” said Phil, slowly.

Dream looked towards the window, the corner of his mouth pulled into a bitter smile.

“I didn’t—I think I’m 23,” he said and then shrugged. It wasn’t clear. The months and the years had gotten away from him and he hadn’t thought about that sort of thing in awhile.

Rabbits didn’t need to think about it.

Phil watched him. His expression was distant and he was completely still.

“Damn.” Phil rubbed a hand over his mouth. “You’re younger than Will was.”

From the entryway to kitchen, Techno cleared his throat. He had been standing there for awhile, waiting to see how things played out. The expression on Phil’s face was familiar to him and Techno shook his head, smiling fondly. He thought it would be alright.

“Breakfast is served,” he said, carrying the plates into the room, mugs balanced on the edges with the precision of someone who could easily juggle knives but had found more practical applications for that talent. “Even for you, Dream, and I promise it’s not mashed peas.”

Chapter Text

The sun was well above the trees by the time Techno and Phil stepped outside onto the bridge. Phil was silent, leaning on the railing. His brows were drawn together and his lips were pursed. Techno knew that expression and had paced around the porch, trying not to speak, waiting for Phil to parse out his thoughts.

Finally, he straightened and cleared his throat.

“How’s he getting around? Before the damn idiot fell down ladder,” he said.

Techno snickered.

“He’s pretty good at runnin’ around when he’s a bunny but that makes sense,” said Techno. “A lot more balance when you have four legs versus two but right now he’s gonna be stuck in that chair for a bit.”

“He’s not going to be happy about that, huh.”

Scratching the side of his snout, Techno shook his head, trying to hide the smile.

“Not even a little,” he said. “He’s probably not gonna want the others to come over. Heck, he wasn’t too thrilled about you comin’ over.”

“Can’t really blame him.” Phil fell silent, looking back towards Techno’s cabin. “I don’t blame you for not telling me at first, mate. I get it and whatever it takes to keep him out of that fucking prison, I’ve got you.”

Techno’s shoulders sagged in relief and he took a step forward, wrapping Phil up in a hug. He held his friend in the hug, resting his cheek against the top of Phil’s head, crushing his hat. It felt like a weight had been lifted.

“Thank you, Phil. You have no idea how much it was stressin’ me out.”

“It was pretty damn obvious, mate.”

Techno made a shushing sound.

“You had no idea.”

Reaching up, Phil gave Techno a quick pat on the shoulder, turning the hug until Techno finally broke it and took a step back.

“Whatever you say.”

“Oh, wait,” said Techno, taking one large step after Phil and then lowering his voice. “You remember Dream from Doomsday, right? Wasn’t he pretty dang tall?”

Phil tilted his head to the side, the movement quick and bird-like.

“He’s about the same height as Tommy, so I’d say so. Why?”

“Eh, don’t worry about it, Phil.” Techno looked up and narrowed his eyes. “I’m just goin’ over some details in my mind. Don’t worry about it.”

There was something bouncing around in Techno’s head, Phil knew that much but it didn’t seem heavy, didn’t seem to be weighing him down, so Phil didn’t press the issue.

“Yeah, there’s plenty to go around when it comes to shit to worry about,” he said, putting his hand on Techno’s back for a moment. “Alright, I’m going to head over to Ranboo’s for a bit. I’ll let them and Niki know to steer clear for a bit.”

“Thanks, Phil, I really appreciate that, man.”

Techno watched until Phil was out of sight, heading towards Ranboo’s house, before turning back to his home. It was still dark inside; he hadn’t turned the lanterns up, figuring that Dream would be more comfortable that way. He blinked rapidly, trying to force his eyes to adjust to the darkness, and moved to open the shutters on the closest window, letting the snow-reflected light trickle in.

In the chair, Dream squinted and pulled the cloak up further, almost hiding half his face behind it. Next to him, his breakfast was untouched. Techno said nothing as he collected the plate and brought it into the kitchen. He was worried, enough that he almost wanted to shake Dream and tell him to eat, tell him to talk to him, but instead he dumped the plate into the sink with a sigh.

“Y’know, I’ve got a question for you, Dream,” said Techno as he took a seat next to him. Suspicion crossed Dream’s face immediately and his ears laid flat against his skull. “Oh, c’mon, Dream, do you really trust me so little?”

Letting go of the cloak, Dream signed, “Yes.”

“Yeah, alright, that’s fair, man.” He chuckled and leaned back, forgetting for a moment this chair wasn’t his rocking chair and almost tipping it backwards before catching himself. Clearing his throat, he glanced at Dream. If he noticed, he didn’t show it. “Can I ask you a question? Just a little somethin’ that’s been botherin’ me.”

Dream’s ears twitched, knuckles white as he griped the cloak once more, the only outward sign of the panic at the words. He shrugged with feigned nonchalance.

“Now, my memory isn’t that great, Dream, but I distinctly remember you bein’ taller than this, before,” Techno said. “So, I’m just tryin’ to figure out how that works.”

Dream stared at him. The first thought was that Techno was making another poor taste joke, this time about his foot being cut off, then he thought back and realization hit. Embarrassment crept up on him, making his cheeks go bright red, and he looked away.

“Look, your secret is safe with me.”

“It’s not—” His fingers stilled and Dream scrunched up his nose, rubbing the back of his hand against it. He sneezed, once and then again.

“Are you allergic to admittin’ you’re short?” asked Techno, glad that the earlier panic had been fleeting, eager to cling onto the humor of the situation.

“What?” Dream’s voice cracked. “It’s not like that.”

“I understand, I understand.” Waving his hand, Techno held back his amusement in favor of a mock haughty tone. “I’d be embarrassed, too, if I got caught fakin’ my height.”

“Fuck you, Technoblade,” said Dream.

Techno laughed. The annoyed, squeaky way Dream spoke reminded him of before, when he had come by, looking for Tommy, trying for all the world to seem serious and menacing only to be reduced to barely contained laughter. If things had gone differently, Techno thought, they could have been friends then and there. Not now, in the wake of so much pain and hurt.

Better now, despite it all, he supposed, than never.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” he said.

The room was silent for a stretch of time, only the background noise of the crackling fire and distant yips and barks from the foxes and dogs that had been brought back. Techno made a mental note to retrieve Steve and Carl; it didn’t feel right without them. After a moment, Dream sighed, resigned and exasperated. Techno looked over with one eyebrow raised.

“It wasn’t like that,” he signed. “The boots made me taller because of my feet.”

“Sure, Dream, sure. The classic ‘the boots did it’ excuse.”

Dream scowled at him.

“You’re so annoying,” he said and sank back down into the chair.

Chapter Text

The snow clung to Techno’s boots and he muttered under his breath as he tried to remove it without making too much noise. It was colder on the porch, in the shade, as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Not quite evening but well past noon. He gave his boots another scrap before giving up and stepping into the cabin, silently taking his boots off before locking the door.

Just in case.

In the chair, Dream was still asleep, head lolled awkwardly to the side. He had dozed off while Techno had done the dishes and some laundry and stayed asleep as Techno had gone out to feed the dogs and break the ice that had formed on the water bowls. Techno had let him sleep.

Frowning, Techno watched him. Dream hadn’t moved since last night and that worried him. He hadn’t ate, either, and that worried Techno more. He turned to the kitchen, stifling a yawn, and began mixing up a pot of oatmeal, flavoring it with cinnamon and honey, then filled two bowls.

The sun had dipped lower by the time he returned to the main room. He cleared his throat, knowing it would startle Dream, hating that, and doing it regardless. Dream jerked awake, starting to pull his leg back and stopping with a sharp intake of breath.

“It’s just me,” said Techno, holding out of one the bowls. “I made you some food. Take it.”

Techno gestured with the bowl. Dream’s nose worked quickly and his mouth pulled back. He had to be starving, in the most literal sense of the word, but he didn’t take the bowl.

“Alright.” Techno set his bowl down and picked up the spoon from Dream’s. “You want me to make the minecart come down the tracks again?”

Dream flipped him off.

When Techno held out the bowl again, Dream took it.

Smiling, Techno sat down and stretched his legs out. It wasn’t until he was sitting down that he realized how hungry he was. He ate and kept an eye on Dream as he did.

The spoon shook in Dream’s hand and he was certain he would spill it. His fingers barely worked. It made him angry and ashamed and he wanted to throw the bowl across the room. But Techno was pretending not to watch him. More than that, he was hungry to the point of being light-headed. The spoon clattered against his teeth as he took a bite.

By the fourth bite, his hand was trembling badly, spilling bits of oatmeal onto the cloak and blanket.   

Dream practically tossed the bowl onto the chest that served as a side table. It rattled and Dream watched it studiously, neck hot under Techno’s gaze. He refused to look over at the other man.

“I ought to take a look at that ankle of yours,” said Techno, making the concession to speak first, as he stood and collected the bowls. There was no answer. He went into the kitchen to drop the dishes off before grabbing the basket of first aid supplies that had been left on the table.

As Techno pulled a stool around and sat in front of Dream, he watched him carefully, noting the way he tensed up and how one ear turned towards him. Techno thought he could hear Dream’s heart pounding in his chest. Reaching out, Techno tapped a finger on the footrest that Dream’s leg was propped up onto. That got Dream’s attention and he looked at Techno.

“Can I take a look, man?”

Half a second passed and Dream nodded.

The ankle was swollen and discolored. It was hard to get a clear look beneath the tawny fur and Dream’s foot was even harder to determine injuries on, all brown fur on top and thick, white fur beneath. The fur was dirty and matted in places. But from what Techno could tell it was a typical sprained ankle and he was thankful for that.

“Alright,” said Techno, slapping his hands against his knees. “I’m thinkin’ we get you cleaned up and get you some clothes. Not gonna lie, it’s a little awkward havin’ a naked man in my home.”

“Oh my god,” whispered Dream. He rubbed a hand over his face but didn’t protest.

With a groan, Techno got to his feet. He was still sore and walking back and forth was doing him no favors but it took his mind off everything, having a purpose. Techno suddenly understood how Phil felt, that drive to fix things when everything had gone wrong. He tossed a set of clothing over his shoulder – the same set he had hemmed before – and heated up a bowl of water.

He pulled the stool around to Dream’s side and dipped a cloth into the water.

Dream flinched slightly with each touch as Techno wiped his face clean and when Techno pulled the cloak down, he tensed and gritted his teeth so hard it made a popping sound. Fading bruises colored his skin and there were scars around his neck, some thin and some thick.

“Easy,” Techno murmured. He had done a very rudimentary job of cleaning Dream up the night before and Niki had done the best job she could manage but his fur seemed to trap dirt and dried blood like a sponge, like it was permanently stained. “It’s alright, Dream.”

It wasn’t and they both knew it.

Gently, Techno leaned Dream forward and pulled the cloak away. His back was striped with scars, some new from the most recent visit. Techno kept his touch light, focusing on his shoulders where the fur was the thickest and ignoring the brand, hesitant to go lower. He stopped at Dream’s tail, where the fur thickened once more, and directed him to sit back in the chair.

There was a far-away look on Dream’s face and Techno patted his hand before repeating the same process for his chest and stomach. It was awkward but not because of the inherent intimacy or the nudity – Techno had done this for Phil a dozen times over – and Techno sighed.

“Are you ever gonna talk to me, man?” he asked.

Dream’s mouth twisted, tattered whiskers moving up and down.

“What?” he signed.

“C’mon, Dream. I know you’re kinda stupid but you’re not that stupid.”

“You—You don’t know, maybe I am,” said Dream, obstinate.

Techno snorted.

“Yeah, you got me there.” Techno wetted the cloth again and took hold of Dream’s left arm, cleaning it. “It’s just you were pretty pissed, man.”

Dream let Techno take his other arm, rubbing his free hand over his ear, and then exhaled.

“I was paying you back then you… You messed it up.”

“I think at this point we can just call us even, y’know,” said Techno. He understood wanting to repay a favor owed and knew that wasn’t all of it. “I mean, technically, you got me out and then I got you out so we’re good.”

Shaking his head, Dream pulled the blanket that still covered his lap further up, pressing it against his stomach.

“It’s not just that. It’s me. I know what I am. Sam, he said I—I know, okay? You heard Phil.” His voice cracked, throat still raw, still getting used to speaking with any regularity. “I know what everyone thinks. I made them think that. You should’ve just left me there.”

There was no quip or joke Techno could make, only a question to ask.

“Why, Dream?”

It caught Dream off-guard; he had been asked why before and the answer then had been easy to give, all part of his plan. Like he was reading lines off a script. Now the only answer wasn’t his own but came in the voices of Sam and Quackity. His ear twitched.

“It doesn’t fucking matter,” he said and when Techno continued to stare at him, he shifted uncomfortably in the chair. “That’s—It’s where I’m supposed to be. I deserve it.”

Techno dropped the cloth, water splashing onto him and the floor. He didn’t know what to say, the voices in his head a loud buzz.

The silence felt heavy on Dream’s chest.

“I was trying to do something good… For everything, for you, so it was worth it, and you messed that up. It always gets messed up, every fucking time.”

Techno took a deep breath.

“Bruh.” He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around Dream and pulling him close. The hug was tight at first, Techno caught up in the moment, but he loosened his grip when Dream winced, resting his head against Dream’s. The logic behind Dream’s words was convoluted and didn’t quite make sense, but Techno thought he could piece it together. “We’ve gotta get you some better copin’ mechanisms, man. You can’t torture yourself into bein’ good or whatever. That’s not how it works.”

“Yeah, whatever,” said Dream, voice thick, sniffing.

Giving him a little shake, Techno rolled his eyes.

“I’m serious, Dream,” he said. “Stoppin’ someone from bein’ tortured was always gonna be worth it, even if it’s you.”

There was the sound of Dream grinding his teeth again, this time softer like a quiet clicking that Techno felt the vibration of more than he actually heard it, as he leaned into the hug.

“I’m tired,” he said, after a moment.

“I know, Dream.”

Chapter Text

The process of getting Dream dressed was somehow more awkward than cleaning him up was and even Techno had no desire to bring it up again to tease him. It would have been easy, too, if he had wanted to; there had been entirely too many previous instances of Dream being pants-less around him though the seriousness of this situation was different, not something to joke about.

He tugged the shirt down over Dream’s head and then sat back, watching Dream rub his ears, head tilted to the side.

“You good?” he asked.

Dream looked up.

“It itches,” signed Dream.

“If you have fleas, I’m gonna take back everythin’ I’ve said.”

“I don’t—I don’t have fleas.” A beat. “I think.”

“Sounds like somethin’ someone with fleas would say,” Techno said.

With one hand, Dream scratched at one of the healing scabs, trying to find some sort of relief, and with the other hand, he flipped Techno off.

“Shut up, Techno.”

“Welp.” Getting to his feet, Techno stretched his arms above his head, fingers brushing against the low spruce ceiling, and glanced towards the door. “I guess you’re sleepin’ outside.”

“What!?”

The incredulity in Dream’s voice made Techno laugh. 

“I’m teasin’ you, Dream,” he said. “C’mon, I’ll give you a piggy – heh – back ride upstairs.”

Dream stared at Techno in confusion.

“Fine, you can sleep in the chair.” Techno yawned exaggeratedly. “I’m gonna sleep in my own bed.”

He turned towards the ladder. There was the sound of Dream thumping his remaining foot against the ground followed almost immediately by him cursing. Techno turned back around.

“Alright, don’t hurt your dang self,” said Techno, taking Dream’s hand and draping it over his shoulder. Dream weighed close to nothing, making it easy for Techno to pull him up onto his back. “Hold on, we don’t want you fallin’ down the ladder again.”

At those words, Dream’s fingers tightened on Techno’s shoulders, digging into his skin. Against his back, Techno could feel how fast his heart was beating and he climbed the ladder as quickly as possible, trying to get this short trip over even quicker. Once upstairs, he lowered Dream onto the bed. 

“See, I didn’t even drop you.”

“…barely,” Dream mumbled. 

Techno picked up a pillow and tossed it at him.

“Hush or next time I will.”

Dream grabbed the pillow, considered throwing it back, and instead tossed it vaguely in Techno’s direction. He scooted to the other side of the bed, trying to keep any pressure off his bad leg. It was a foot or so but by the end of it, Dream felt out of breath, frustration growing, until he felt like he was going to burst.

And then Techno flopped onto the bed and Dream deflated.

He didn’t have the energy to be angry.

Curling in on himself, Dream laid down, back almost pressed against the far wall. There was a type of safety in knowing that nothing could come up behind him, but the sort of safety that he knew was false; if someone wanted to hurt him, walls wouldn’t stop them. He shuddered.

“Here,” said Techno as he covered Dream with a blanket, tucking it around him carefully and avoiding the sprained ankle by a lot. “You were lookin’ kinda pathetic just lying there.”

“You are so annoying,” Dream said. His voice was muffled by his arm, burying his face into the crook of his elbow.  

Techno made a noise of agreement that trailed off into low humming. It was a song he remembered from when he was a child, that stuck with him even when so many other memories had faded. The melody was simple and bittersweet though Techno didn’t know if his feelings were coloring it or not. He slipped into bed, yawning and not bothering to cover his mouth. It was dark and the only one around was Dream. 

The disjointed explanation of why Dream had been so angry to see him in the prison had dug into Techno’s chest and settled there. He got it. Plenty of nights had passed with Techno sitting awake, wondering if he should’ve done more, should do more. Sometimes when he closed his eyes, he could see the bright flashes of light, hear the fireworks going off.

If he had done more that day at the festival, would people have seen him as a person, as someone worthy of being understood?

Even if his death would have been almost certain, Techno sometimes thought it would’ve been worth it.

There was no way Techno wouldn’t understand Dream doing something so monumentally stupid in some strange attempt to be worthy of kindness, not when he still had those same thoughts, alone at night, not wanting to burden Phil further.

With a sigh, Techno rolled over to face Dream, inching close enough to feel Dream’s breath, and wrapped his arm around him. Dream tensed for a moment, almost like muscle memory, then relaxed. His ears swiveled forward, the longer one tickling Techno’s nose, a slightly annoying reminder that he wasn’t alone, not anymore.

Dream jerked awake.

There was some noise, drifting in from outside, that had pulled him from his sleep. He froze, nose twitching furiously. Besides Techno’s snoring, it was silent in the room. Nothing seemed amiss but he couldn’t get his heart to stop pounding so hard and fast that it hurt his chest. He wanted change. A voice in the back of his mind reminded him that rabbits didn’t have to think and he almost gave in to that desire until he remembered his promise.

It wasn’t really a promise. He hadn’t said the word but Techno had told him not to transform and if he did, Techno would have to rewrap his ankle and he’d have to get dressed again and that felt like too much.

Glancing over his shoulder, Dream made certain that Techno was still asleep. He had forgotten to take off his glasses and the broken lens caught the light oddly. Dream sat there for a moment, back to Techno, watching the shadows on the wall, then he flopped onto his side lightly, stretched out as he waited to drift back to sleep.

When sleep finally did come once again, there were no rabbit dreams, no nightmares, only flashes of bright blue skies and green grass and familiar laughter and the smell of cinnamon and a building that was in the quiet tundra or it was surrounded by water but everything was peaceful.

It was a good Dream.

There was a weight on Techno’s arm, a distinctly human-sized weight, and Techno sighed in relief. He had half expected to wake up to find that Dream had shape-shifted back into a rabbit because it was safe and how could Techno really fault him for that? But Dream’s back was pressed firmly against his side and for once he wasn’t curled up into a ball.

Techno reached out and scratched the base of Dream’s ear. The fur was soft and his ear twitched but he didn’t move any further. Techno sighed again. He ruffled Dream’s hair. That earned him a swat as Dream rubbed his hand against his face. He made no indication that he was in the process of waking up and Techno was beginning to believe it was on purpose.

“Alright, man, you gotta get off my arm,” said Techno.

The response was a grunt.

“I mean, I could move my arm and leave you up here all alone if you want to fall down the ladder again.” Techno was already pulling his arm out from under Dream. “Up to you, Dream.”

Dream thumped his remaining foot in annoyance.

“Ow,” he said, immediately.

Techno’s laugh was loud, booming in the small attic room. As much as he tried, he couldn’t stop the laughter from growing. He pressed his forehead against Dream’s shoulder, shaking with amusement. He could feel Dream sigh deeply and for some reason that sent him over the edge again. Wrapping his arm around Dream, he tried to collect himself. It took longer than he thought it would and when he calmed down, his cheeks were wet. He let go, tugged his arm completely free, and wiped his face.

“I’m sorry, Dream, I’m sorry,” he said, sitting up. His glasses weren’t in their usual place and began feeling around the bed. “You gotta admit that was pretty funny.”

“No..?” Dream’s voice rose in pitch. “That—That wasn’t funny. You’re the worst.”

Techno found his glasses. One of the arms was crooked and he carefully bent it back before placing them on his snout.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m so awful, Dream.” Techno yawned, still waking up. The sky outside was cloudy and grey and Techno knew it would be a cold day. “Looks like you got some sleep, though.”

“Yeah, I guess,” said Dream, not wanting to agree fully out of a combination of habit and spite. Then his cheeks went hot and he added, “I mean, it’s—It was better than the prison.”

Chuckling, Techno dug through his dresser to find a clean shirt.

“Gee, thanks Dream.” He pulled the shirt on, looking at Dream with one eyebrow raised. “You want me to help you downstairs or do you wanna stay up here?”

Dream rolled onto his back. He stared up at the ceiling and then shrugged.

Techno waited. When the silence stretched on with no answer, he sat back down on the bed, pulling the blanket back up over Dream, folding the edge down as neatly as possible, just to have something to do.

“C’mon, don’t leave me hangin’ here,” he said as the quiet had began to verge into awkwardness.

“Phil asked me what I was going to do next.”

“Ah.” Techno had heard, lingering by the kitchen entryway, full of worry that things would go badly, that Phil and Dream would butt heads, fearing the worst. But the worst hadn’t happened. The conversation had just been heavy and sad and Techno regretted eavesdropping. “And you don’t know, huh.”

“No,” said Dream, his voice small and angry.

Reaching out, Techno took his hand, tightening his grip when Dream started to pull away. After a moment, Dream relaxed and wrapped his fingers around Techno’s. They both ignored the tears that wet the fine fur on his face.

“I mean, you don’t gotta have it all figured out right now, Dream,” he said. “Stuff like this takes time, y’know? You’ll figure it out. Right now all you gotta do is decide if you want to go back to sleep or go downstairs.”

Dream pulled his hand away and wiped his face with Techno’s carefully folded blanket.

“Don’t drop me,” he signed as an answer.

Chapter Text

It had been almost a week since Dream had been broken free from the prison.

Punz had patrolled the land around the pair of small cabins, sometimes pausing to watch the windows, trying to make out anything they could to reassure themself that Dream was safe. He trusted Techno, if only because Dream had always been insistent on keeping him on their side, but trusting Techno did nothing to ease their concern. And it wouldn’t until they could see Dream.

Their communicator beeped and Punz pulled it out, the shiny white device reflecting the sun and Punz covered it with their free hand. It was unlikely that the flash of light had given away their position, even more unlikely that someone was watching – there had been no sign of anyone, really – but being overly cautious was ingrained into them when it came to Dream.

[Philza]: any updates m8?

Punz rolled their eyes. It was the same question and the same answer every time and the irony wasn’t lost on them; they would do the same, asking about Dream.

[Punz]: nothing. no one has moved except bad and he’s drunk. how is he?

A few minutes passed before the response came.

[Philza]: same as always

Looking up, Punz stared at the cabin. It was too far away to make out any details.

[Punz]: I need to speak to dream. can you tell techno?

The reply came almost immediately this time and it made Punz jump.

[Philza]: sure

[Philza]: come by later tonight

Quickly deleting the reply they had half typed out, Punz fumbled slightly over typing out a new one. Their gold chain clinked together as they moved.

[Punz]: will do

The sun was still high, hanging coldly in the middle of the sky. For a moment, Punz debated going over now, not waiting, but decided against it. They straightened, shoving the communicator into his pocket, and pulled their hood up. There was enough time to do another patrol of the area and Punz didn’t feel like standing around.

Phil could feel Dream’s gaze on him. He had glanced up a few times and each time, Dream had been staring at him, ears pointed in his direction. If he could, Phil had no doubt that he would’ve gotten up to hover over his shoulder, to read what was being said. The thought made Phil snort quietly to himself. When he had read Punz’s final message, Phil straightened from where he was leaning against the cabin wall and made a show of putting his communicator away.

“Punz wants to stop by,” he said, watching Dream for his reaction. There was a flinch and a brief look of hope before he twisted his features into disinterest. “I told ‘em to stop by later. That okay with you, mate?”

He hadn’t taken his eyes off Dream and Techno, who had been about to answer, closed his snout and also looked at Dream.

Dream shifted in the chair, looking around the room, before nodding.

“Yeah, I got no problem with that,” said Techno, shrugging.

“Speaking of people who want to visit, Ranboo’s little one is still asking about coming over and seeing the bunny,” Phil said with emphasis on the last word.

“Bruh.” Techno leaned back, the chair creaking beneath him, and rubbed his hand over his face. “Of course.”

“I could change,” Dream signed. “My foot is fine.”

He offered the suggestion up readily and Techno narrowed his eyes. The swelling on Dream’s ankle was gone and he could put light pressure on it without wincing. But it hadn’t escaped Techno that Dream was desperate to avoid, well, being himself. He barely spoke and seemed to languish, often staring blankly or hunching in on himself. Techno remembered Dream from before; there had been life and determination in his eyes, even if Techno had to ignore the exhaustion and fear. Sometimes he could bring that life back by poking and prodding Dream but it was always fleeting.

Techno wanted his friend back.

The voices in his head rose up in an ear-splitting ‘aww’.

“I mean, we’re gonna have to explain the whole thing eventually,” he said. “Might as well get it over with unless you want to be drooled on by a baby, Dream.”

“I guess.” His fingers hovered in the air, stretching them for a moment. “Not today.”

Techno nodded.

“Sure, Dream, sure,” said Techno, about to leave it at that until he noticed Phil’s look of confusion. “I’m thinkin’ we limit people comin’ over to one a day.”

Phil looked over at Dream. Even at a distance he could tell he was clenching his jaw tightly, eyes wide. He had come by a few times since that first time and every time Dream sat, tense, clearly waiting for Phil to leave and Phil couldn’t blame him.

“Makes sense, mate,” he said. “I’ll let Ranboo know. Maybe they’ll have time to bake another cake.”

Dream groaned, looking up at the ceiling, listening to the quiet laughter from Techno and Phil, and decided if Michael made another cake, he’d eat all of it, out of spite.

The dogs began barking and Techno dried his hands on the towel, tossing it over the back of the chair, before heading to the door. There hadn’t been a knock and Techno had no idea if it was Punz or a stray fox that had set the dogs off but something had. In the chair, Dream had leaned forward, remaining foot on the floor, staring at the door. One ear was twisted back and it made Techno pause for a moment, listening for anything out of place but it was silent.

He pulled open the door.

The porch had a light dusting of snow and only Phil’s footsteps from earlier were visible. Techno stepped off the porch, in the direction that Dream’s ear had pointed, and scanned the area. There was nothing and he sighed, turning to back to the cabin.

Punz was standing on the porch.

With a squeak, Techno jerked back and then braced himself on the railing, other hand against his chest. He took a moment to regain his composure and cleared his throat as he walked up the porch stairs.

A smile was on Punz’s face and they didn’t even try to hide it.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” they said, lying.

“Pfft, you didn’t scare me. I mean, scare me? C’mon,” Techno said, lying even harder.

“Right.” Punz looked towards the door, amusement fading into worry. “Phil didn’t tell me a time, so.”

They trailed off, taking a step back as Techno passed them to open the door.

“Don’t worry,” he said, “it’s not like we’re busy or anythin’.”  

Following Techno inside, Punz could feel their heart beating quicker. The last time they had seen Dream was the day that he disappeared into Pandora’s Vault and ever since that day, they had been waiting, just like Dream had told them to. That moment was seared into their brain, the exact look in Dream’s eyes, behind the mask, and the set of his shoulders.

The man in the rocking chair didn’t look the same as they remembered; his ears were now ragged and torn, eyes bulging and wide, and he was thin, having lost all his muscle mass. If Punz tried to count all the new scars, they thought they would go insane.

They hesitated for a moment and then crossed the room, moving slowly, before crouching down in front of him. When Dream didn’t pull back or flinch away, Punz pulled him into a hug, careful not to press too firmly or hold the embrace for too long.

“Long time, no see, buddy,” they said, voice thick. They rocked back on their heels. “I would’ve come sooner but—”

“It’s fine,” Dream said, quickly, almost choking on the words. He glanced at Techno and then away, eyes moving around the room with no place to settle.

Techno cleared his throat.

“I’m gonna go make some tea,” he said, disappearing into the kitchen.

The noise drifting out was deliberate, louder than necessary, and the corner of Punz’s mouth twitched upwards. After a beat, they spoke.

“How’re you doing?”

Dream shrugged.

“I don’t—I don’t know.”

Punz took Dream’s hand, rubbing it between their palms.

“Is everything here alright?” they asked, lowering their voice.  

“I mean, Phil’s annoying but Techno’s alright, I guess.” There was no maliciousness behind the words but Dream still felt bad and he pushed that thought away firmly. “It’s just…”

Both of them fell silent. In the kitchen, Techno was making a level of noise that was more fitting for someone fighting a bear than making tea that for a brief second, Dream wondered if one of the polar bears had gotten inside.

Clearing their throat, Punz broke the silence.

“What’s the plan? I can go ahead with what we talked about before.”

It was the same question, just worded differently, just in a different context, and Dream wanted to scream. Everyone wanted to know what he had planned, what he was going to do, and Dream didn’t have an answer.

He wanted to sleep without nightmares, to hear his friends laugh again, to feel the grass beneath his paws and curl up in the burrow and know that he would wake up and things would be alright, just like they always had been.

Dream shook his head, scratching at his ear, frowning.

He wanted his thoughts to be his own again and not some strange mix of who he was and the rabbit shaped shell of what the prison made him into.

“N-no. No, don’t.” 

The surprise on Punz’s face was obvious and they leaned back slightly.

“Are you sure, man?”

He wasn’t sure but Dream had been sure before and this is where it had led him.

“Yeah, I think—I think I need a new plan.”

Chapter Text

The tea was overwhelmingly sweet but Dream had drank as much of it as he could bear, hunger so deep that he felt it would never fully leave him though eating was often painful. His jaw hurt when he chewed, his stomach revolted whenever he tried to eat more than a few bites. But the tea tasted like mint and honey and set easily in his stomach. There was a spice, hidden behind the sweetness, that Dream couldn’t place but he liked it. He tipped the cup and watched the congealed honey and bits of leaves move slowly on the bottom.

Punz was watching him.

They were trying to be subtle about it, trying not to stare, but Dream could feel their eyes on him and the pity. The pity was the worst, even if they didn’t mean it to be. Dream could handle pity from Niki or Phil or Techno, though that one stung more than he liked to admit, but it felt different from Punz. They had been with him for so long and had gotten their hands dirty and now they were seeing him, broken and ruined.

Dream tightened his grip on the mug so hard that it hurt, fingers trembling. When the ceramic broke, he jumped and stared down at his hands.

“Dream?” Punz asked, no longer trying to be subtle, and leaning forward where they sat.

“I’ll get somethin’ to clean that up,” said Techno, already on his feet.

“He’s bleeding.”

He was.

There was blood on Dream’s palm, staining the fine, white fur and he could smell it, stronger than the mint and oiled leather and smoke. Panic thumped hard and fast in Dream’s chest. He knew what blood meant. In his head, his voice sounded tiny and far away, screaming at him that it was fine, it was blood and he was in the cabin, but he couldn’t hear and all he could see was black stone. He jerked back so suddenly that Punz lost their balance as Dream twisted in the chair.

A moment later, the rabbit hit the floor and bolted, sliding awkwardly across the floor. He scrambled beneath the bookshelf and huddled there.

Techno blinked, holding the wet rag he had gone to retrieve. There was a small spattering of blood on the ground which clearly showed the path the rabbit had taken.

“What the heck happened?” he asked.

Getting to their feet, Punz shrugged helplessly.

“I have no idea. He just—freaked out and ran.” They gestured to the bookshelf. “Should we get him out?”

“Nah, best to leave him there until he calms down,” said Techno, bending to wipe the blood up and glancing under the bookshelf. He could only see the vague silhouette of Dream. “He’ll come out when he’s ready.”

Punz stared at the bookshelf, unconvinced, his mouth pulled down into a frown.

“He’s not doing good, is he?”

Techno sighed as he straightened.

“Not at all, Punz, I’m gonna be honest,” he said, sitting down in his rocking chair, hooves scraping on the floor. Techno didn’t like speaking about Dream as if he wasn’t there but he wasn’t there, in the broad sense. “I’m guessin’ you figured out what they did.”

Returning to their seat on the stool, Punz rubbed his hands over his knees.

“Phil told me they tortured him but—”

“It doesn’t really prepare you for it, huh.”

“I didn’t think Sam could do something like that.”

“Yeah, I gotta say that one caught me off-guard. Now Quackity? I can see it gettin’ away from him.”

With a huff of quiet laughter, Punz nodded their head. They had a feeling Techno was remembering the same thing; the day of his execution, when Dream and Punz had stepped in to save him. Punz also remembered the conversation before, wondering why they didn’t let things playout, why not get rid of Techno, just in case. Now, they felt guilty for those thoughts.

“Yeah, true.”

Techno didn’t wait for silence to fall before barrelling into his next question.

“What the heck was Dream’s plan, other than gettin’ himself locked up, like an idiot, I might add.”

There was no thump of annoyance from under the bookshelf and Techno frowned.

“It wasn’t supposed to be like that,” said Punz. “It was supposed to be… a fortress, I guess. To protect him without anyone thinking he was planning something. So he could be left alone, safe. It wasn’t supposed to be his personal hell.”

The anger had risen up in Punz’s voice and they looked away from Techno, embarrassed.

“Nah, man, I get it. If I ever see either of those two again, they’re gonna be sorry,” Techno said.

“Yeah.” They let out a deep breath. “I should probably get out of here. Just make sure he knows I’m looking out for him.”

Techno got to his feet along with Punz and followed them to the door. He said nothing as he opened the door for his guest, waiting for Punz to finish whatever thought was bouncing around in their head.

“It’s probably best not to overwhelm him,” they said, a question even if it wasn’t worded as one.

“Probably, probably,” said Techno, nodding and glancing back. “Don’t worry, alright, I’m lookin’ out for him, I promise.”

Punz nodded. Some of the worry on his face had eased and they slapped their hand against the door frame. 

“I’m going to check in on Las Nevadas.”

“Don’t do anythin’ I wouldn’t do,” Techno called as he watched Punz step off the porch and moved lightly across the snow until they were out of sight.

Night had fallen hours ago.

It was long past the time Techno would have gone to bed but he was still sitting in the chair, having put aside the small project of wood, leather, and metal that he was working on, a shapeless mess that he hadn’t quite worked out. He blinked rapidly, trying to get rid of the dryness clinging to his eyes, and sighed deeply.

The basket next to the hearth was still empty.

Dream hadn’t come out from beneath the bookshelf, not even a peek of his nose when Techno had gone about cooking dinner, talking about all the delicious things he was making. So Techno covered a plate with parchment paper and set it aside, just in case.

“Alright,” he said with a groan. “I can’t believe you’re gonna make me sleep on the floor, man. The things I do for you.”

That finally produced some noise, what sounded like a light thump of Dream’s foot, and Techno laughed to himself. He stood, stretching, and tossed a cushion onto the ground, wondering exactly when Dream would call his bluff. He really didn’t want to sleep on the floor.

“Listen, Dream, I’m not lettin’ you stay down here alone.”

Part of him worried that Dream would run off in some strange attempt to fix things. It seemed like a very Dream thing to do though Techno didn’t know if he would even be up to that sort of escapade. Grabbing one of the quilts that had been folded across the back of a chair, Techno made a show of spreading it out on the floor, near the bookshelf.

The rabbit poked his head out, bit the edge of the blanket, and began scooting backwards.

“Oh, no you don’t,” said Techno, gently tugging the blanket away.

The rabbit made a small lunge with his front paws, soft fur sliding against the wood, and he turned that into an awkward stretch, flopping down on his side, half out from beneath the shelves.

“Y’know what, I’ll take it, Dream, I’ll take it.”

He had slept on the floor often enough though he usually had Steve with him, to use as a pillow, or a few of the dogs but it wasn’t safe to allow them inside, not with Dream in his rabbit form. The last thing he wanted was his friend to be eaten by one of his pets.

Plumping up his pillow, Techno laid back. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Dream. The rabbit’s eyes were half-closed and breathing heavily. He reached out and pressed his hand against his nose, scratching behind his ears. He almost expected Dream to bite him but he didn’t, instead making that soft grinding sound with his teeth once more. It wasn’t something that Techno understood but it didn’t seem to be out of fear or annoyance and so Techno counted it as a good thing.

He left his hand where it was and closed his eyes.

Chapter Text

There was no answer when Phil knocked on Techno’s door.

He waited a bit before knocking again, this time a little louder. There was still no answer, no sound from inside the cabin that made him think someone was coming to open the door. With a frown, he tested the handle and found it was unlocked. Phil opened it slowly, one hand on the hilt of his sword. He hadn’t heard any commotion and Punz was still keeping an eye out, but better safe than sorry.

Pushing the door open, Phil stepped inside. Immediately he understood why there had been no answer. On the floor, Techno was snoring, sprawled out on his back, fingers and tail twitching. Next to him, the rabbit was staring at Phil, ears forward.

“You could’ve woken him up for me,” said Phil, wiping his shoes off on the blue floor mat. “I know you heard me.”  

The rabbit stretched out and flopped down, leaning against Techno’s side.

“Little—” Phil cleared his throat. “Hey, Techno, mate?”

It was loud enough that Techno jerked awake.

“Heh? What the heck is—Oh, hullo, Phil,” he said, pushing himself up into a sitting position with a groan. He glanced down at Dream who hadn’t moved. “What’s goin’ on?”

“Ranboo was thinking about bringing Michael by so I thought I’d give you a heads up.”

Techno had gotten slowly to his feet; his back was sore and there was a sharp twinge in his shoulder. Sleeping on the floor had been a mistake, hadn’t been what he intended, but he had been so tired, was still so tired.

“Good thinkin’, Phil.”

“I thought that one was going to stay human because of his ankle,” Phil said, nodding in Dream’s direction.

“That was the plan,” he agreed.

“I’m guessing he had other plans.”

The rabbit jumped up and it was hard to tell if the odd twisting motion was because he had lost his balance, missing foot throwing him off, or if it was deliberate. He stopped to stare at Phil before giving a thump of his remaining foot and hopping over to sit beneath the chair his clothes had been tossed into haphazardly by Techno.

Shrugging, Techno looked at Phil helplessly.

“I dunno, man, your guess is as good as mine.”

“Should I tell Ranboo and the kid to come another day?” asked Phil, chuckling.

With his back to Dream, Techno gave Phil an exaggerated wink. He crossed his arms over his chest, giving a thoughtful hum, but not a genuine one.

“Nah, they can come over. Michael really likes the bunny and I found a bunch of ribbons,” Techno said, struggling to keep a straight face. “The baby is gonna love puttin’ lil bows on his ears.”

“Oh, I’m sure he will.” A grin spread across Phil’s face and he nodded towards the chair and Dream. “You think he’s trying to tell us something?”

Techno turned back around.

The rabbit was attempting to balance on his remaining foot, reaching up to grab the shirt that was still on the chair. He bit onto the fabric and pulled it down onto the floor before digging at the clothing, pulling them into a ball.

“Alright, Dream, alright,” said Techno, chuckling quietly to himself and bending down to scoop up both the clothes and the rabbit. He had expected a bite of annoyance but there was nothing. He scratched Dream behind the ears. “You don’t have to tell me twice. I’ll be right back, Phil.”

Phil raised an eyebrow, watching as Techno left the room. He poked his head into the kitchen in time to see Techno disappear into the bathroom, coming out a few seconds later without Dream and shutting the door behind him.

“Guess he really didn’t want those ribbons, huh, mate,” he said, realizing what was going on.

“It’s a shame, too.” Techno’s tone was sickeningly sweet. “He looked so cute.”

Phil snorted.

“I’ll believe that when I see it.”

Dream was sitting on the floor of a room he didn’t recognize, naked, and panic pounded in his chest, a sour taste of vomit rising up in his throat. He couldn’t remember how he got here or why, all the thoughts in his head tangled up like a snare, and felt himself slipping away. Why was his memory so bad these days? Why couldn’t he remember what he had been doing?

Techno’s voice cut through those thoughts, muffled by the door, not speaking to him but to someone else.

The old man with the broken wings, a voice in the back of his head said.

“I know who Phil is,” he muttered to himself.

He was in the bathroom of Techno’s cabin and he was here because he wanted to be, because he wanted to change and get dressed. The clothes were right there, next to him. Embarrassment made his neck and ears hot as he pulled the shirt on and then struggled with the pants. How he could’ve forgotten something so recent and so obvious?

For a moment, he sat there, trying to piece things together, fists clenched and getting no where. A knock on the door made him jump, starting to scramble back when Techno spoke through the door.

“Hey, Dream, you good in there, man?” he asked.

Dream sighed.

“Y-yeah.”

There was a deliberate, weighted pause.

“—are you comin’ out?”

With his foot missing, Dream wasn’t certain he could get up on his own, not without something to use as leverage and nothing was in reach, and he hated that. If he scooted towards either the sink or the bathtub, he might be able to pull himself up.

He was halfway there when Techno knocked on the door again.

“Alright, I’m comin’ in,” he said.

Dream’s nose twitched in annoyance but he kept moving towards the tub, jaw tight with determination. He didn’t look at Techno when he opened the door and stepped inside. He grabbed the side of the tub.

As soon as he understood what Dream was attempting to do, Techno moved to help but stopped just short of reaching out with a frown.

“You got it?”

Dream nodded, tightening his grip. His arms were shaking as he pulled himself up and he might have managed except the soft fur that padded the bottom of his foot slipped on the stone floor. Stepping forward, Techno put his hoof next to Dream’s foot, stopping him from slipping any further. Dream looked at Techno and realized he wasn’t annoyed or angry. He pulled himself up, swaying, until Techno took his arm, letting Dream lean against him.

“Yeah, you got it,” said Techno, patting him on the arm. 

With Techno as leverage, Dream was able to hop out of the bathroom and made it halfway through the kitchen before he paused, chest heaving and sweat dripping into his eyes.

“I don’t think he’s going to make it any further, mate,” Phil said.

Looking down at Dream, Techno thought Phil was right. Almost all Dream’s weight was on his arm and he was shaking. His eyes were unfocused. Techno put his other arm around Dream and picked him up. He kicked for a second, out of instinct, but calmed almost immediately.

He opened his mouth to say something then switched to signing.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Techno carried him into the main room and set him down in the rocking chair, letting him have Techno’s favorite spot. “Are you alright?”

Dream thought that was a stupid question – he wasn’t alright, would never be alright again – but it wasn’t Techno’s fault. He looked away before shrugging.

“I’m thirsty,” he signed.

“That I can fix, Dream,” he said and there was a sense of relief in his words, in the way his eyes softened immediately. “That I can fix.”

He turned to head back into the kitchen, waving at Phil to follow him.

“He’s still pretty rough, huh?” 

“A lot of ups and downs.” Techno put a kettle on the stove and leaned back against the table. “I gotta be honest, though, Phil, if it was me, I don’t think I could do it.” 

“Yeah, I know what you mean. He’s a stubborn bastard and I guess that’s a good thing for once.”

Techno snorted.

“For once. Oh, I’m workin’ on somethin’,” he said, straightening. “For his missin’ foot, I might need you to take a look at it, see if you think it’ll work.”

“Be glad to, mate. That’s a good idea, I’m sure he’ll feel better when he can move around again.”

The kettle began to whistle and Techno moved to take it off the stove.

“Probably. He can weigh in, if he wants. I’m sure he’s listenin’.”

A beat and then a thump came from the main room.

Phil laughed, rolling his eyes a little.

“I take it that’s approval?” 

Shrugging his shoulders, Techno began pouring hot water and honey into the mug, on top of the tea bag, watching the water begin to turn a light amber.

“Not a dang idea, Phil,” he admitted.

“Not an expert in bunny language?” asked Phil, barely able to get the question out without losing his composure.

Another thump sounded from the main room, louder and more deliberate than the first.

“Shut. That was funny.”

“I don’t think he likes your jokes, man.”

Techno stirred the tea, tossing the bag into the composter shoved into the corner. He hesitated then went to get the milk out of the ice chest.

“Everyone’s a damn critic.”

When Techno turned to put the milk back up, he pressed his head against Phil’s for a moment, leaning onto him.

“It’s alright, Phil, I thought it was funny.”

“Thank you, mate,” said Phil, sniffling as if he was truly put out.

Picking up the mug, Techno gave Phil a pat on the back before returning to the main room. As soon as he was visible, Dream straightened in the chair, green eyes narrowed and flicking towards Phil, before signing.

“That was a dumb joke.”

Techno gave a deep, resigned sigh.

“I can’t believe that’s your takeaway from all that,” he said. “Actually, no, I can believe it. That’s a distinctly Dream thing to do.”

Dream began to move his arm and Techno knew that it was to flip him off and Dream seemed to realize he knew almost instantly because instead, he twisted his fingers together in his lap, cheeks red, and scowling at the floor.

“Here.” Techno placed the mug in Dream’s hands, untangling his fingers and then wrapping them around the mug, letting his hands cover Dream’s for a moment. He could feel the slight tremor beneath his palms and worried that Dream might spill the tea, that he might’ve made it too hot. “Do you got it?”

At first there was no answer, Dream instead staring at Techno. There was a deep sadness in his expression that the annoyance and confusion couldn’t mask. If he had begun crying, Techno wouldn’t have been surprised and if hadn’t been holding a hot cup of tea, Techno would’ve hugged him. Then Dream nodded.

“Yeah, I—I got it.”

Chapter Text

Dream sat in the chair, straight up, ears forward, and watching the door. Next to him, his tea was half-drunk and cold. He had been staring at the door ever since Phil had left to go let Ranboo know that they could stop by if they wanted. The only movement came when Techno or one of the dogs or foxes outside made a noise. Otherwise Dream might as well have been a statue.

Snorting with amusement, Techno shook his head. It was the most deliberate noise he had made and it received the most obvious response as Dream frowned, glancing over at him.

“It’s a baby, Dream, not a hawk circlin’,” he said.

Finally, he completely broke his stare, shoulders sagging a little.

“I don’t like kids,” he signed.

“Oh really, Dream? You, not likin’ kids? Never would’ve guessed.”

Dream turned to face Techno, a deeply offended look on his face.

“What does that mean?!”

Techno blinked at him.

“That you don’t look like someone who likes kids, Dream, what did you think it meant?”

“Kids like me,” signed Dream, mouth pulled in annoyance, soft nose twitching rapidly. 

“True, true. Kids love cute little bunny rabbits,” Techno said as he watched the slow realization creep across Dream’s face with a satisfied grin. 

“I hate you.”

Reaching out, Techno smoothed Dream’s hair back out of his face before plucking the mug up off the table.

“I know, Dream.”

As he passed the door on the way to the kitchen, Techno heard soft oinking floating across the yard. He smiled and set the mug down into the sink before putting on another kettle. It was cold out and he didn’t think there was a baby alive or unalive that didn’t love a good cup of hot coco. By the time he could hear footsteps climbing the porch stairs, Techno had pulled out the cinnamon sticks and was reaching for the doorhandle when Ranboo knocked.

“Hullo,” said Techno, pulling open the door and chuckling a little at the surprised look on Ranboo’s face. “Is Phil not with you?”

“Oh, no, he said he had, uh, something he needed to check on,” Ranboo said as they stepped inside, Michael at their side, looking around eagerly.

Techno frowned; Phil hadn’t mentioned anything to him but he trusted his oldest friend and he had other things to deal with. Like the way Ranboo had noticed Dream sitting in the chair, confusion painted all across their face.

“Oh, uh, is…” Ranboo looked back at Techno. “That’s—”

Patting Michael on the head, Techno moved further into the room.

“Are you gonna say hello to our guests, Dream?” he asked, the words having nothing behind them, merely a way to answer Ranboo’s unspoken question.

Michael seemed to have no trouble putting two and two together and getting ‘bunny’ out of it because almost immediately he was standing next to the rocking chair, looking up at Dream, eyes wide.

“Hi, bunny,” he signed.

Shifting in the chair, Dream finally looked down at him.

“Hi.”

It was one word but Michael took that as permission and climbed up into Dream’s lap, causing Dream to wince. Techno tensed, heart in his throat, glancing between the two and Ranboo, wondering how Dream would react, wondering how Ranboo would react, and preparing for the worst. But Dream did nothing besides tighten his grip on the arms of the chair, sweat on his forehead, and Techno sighed.

The kettle began whistling.

“Oh, right. Who here wants hot chocolate?” he asked, clapping his hands together lightly.

Michael turned around, looking at his dad, who nodded, and then his small hand shot upwards.

“Right.” Hesitating, Techno wondered if it was a good idea to leave them alone but Ranboo had wandered closer before taking a seat on one of the barrels, long legs folded up to their chest. “I’ll be right back.”

Techno had missed every single sign that Dream was throwing his way and when he disappeared into the kitchen, Dream had accepted his fate. He leaned back in the chair even as the toddler climbed further into his lap, pressing his snout against Dream’s nose for half a second and then squealing in amusement.

“Oh, Michael, uh, be careful,” said Ranboo, awkwardly getting to their feet. “Maybe we should respect Dream’s personal space there, buddy.”

At Ranboo’s words, Michael stopped trying to mimic the way Dream’s nose moved with their own snout and looked at them.

“Bunny is Dream?” he asked, head tilted to the side. He knew that the man whose lap he was sitting on was the bunny. He smelled like the bunny and he had big ears! But Michael had assumed he was just Bunny in the same way that Chicken was Chicken.

“Yeah, yeah, that’s him.”

Once that was cleared up, Michael returned to invading Dream’s personal space, reaching up to pat his ears. Dream frowned and flicked his ears back.

“Your ear broken,” signed Michael and then pointed to his own ear. “My ear broken.”

Dream could feel Ranboo watching him, could see the movement of Techno returning from the kitchen. He wanted the kid to leave him alone, he felt claustrophobic having someone so close to him. All he could think of was the way Quackity had touched him, how he couldn’t get away. If he hadn’t been holding onto the arms of the rocking chair like his life depended on it, he would have shoved Michael off his lap. But his life might as well have depended on it; he was walking a thin line and any wrong move might have him thrown out or given back to Sam. 

He nodded and cleared his throat.

“Y-yeah, it is.”

Michael knew more things than grown ups thought he did and he knew Dream was scared, though he didn’t know why. Nothing in the cabin was especially scary though the ladder down to the basement was pretty dark and Michael was staying away from it, just in case. The bunny had been hurt real bad, Michael remembered that. Was that why he was so scared?

Leaning forward, Michael pressed his snout against Dream’s nose again – it tickled – and then patted the side of his face as gently as he could. Dream blinked but didn’t pull away. After a moment, Dream carefully butted his forehead against Michael’s. The toddler squealed and returned the gesture, harder than intended and Dream finally moved back, grimacing.

“Alright, alright, kiddo,” said Techno, worry painted across his face as he approached with two mugs in his hands. “We don’t wanna give the bunny – I mean, Dream – a concussion. How about some hot chocolate instead?”

Michael had been prepared to argue, mostly because he didn’t know what the word ‘concussion’ meant but that thought was replaced the moment Techno held out a bright yellow mug to him. There was a chip on the rim but the hot chocolate smelled delicious. He settled back into the chair, still on Dream’s lap, and took a big gulp.

“Ah, do you want me to move him?” Ranboo asked, not missing the way Dream tensed or the fact that Michael had accidentally elbowed him in the side.

Glancing at Techno, Dream tried to judge how he felt before lifting his shoulders in a small shrug. 

“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea, man,” Techno said. There was a sour taste in his mouth suddenly and he thought it was because of the way Dream seemed to be afraid to answer. Techno could think of a dozen reasons why that was and he hated all of them. “Don’t want him spillin’ his coco on Dream.”

“Oh, of course not, of course not.” Ranboo bent to scoop Michael out of Dream’s lap. The toddler gave a quiet oink but was too busy drinking his hot chocolate to notice as his dad set him down on the hearth. “There you go little man.”

“And here you go, Dream.” Holding out the second mug, Techno gestured slightly with it when at first Dream made no move to take it. “C’mon, man, I made special for you.”

Dream sniffed; now that the mug was closer, he could smell the underlying sharp scent that the tea Techno made him held. With one hand, he took the mug from Techno and with the other signed a quick thank you.

On the hearth next to the rocking chair, Michael was watching Dream closely and mimicked his thank you (he was normally very well-mannered, he had just forgotten) before taking a sip when Dream did, trying to hold his mug the same way.

Techno snorted.

“Looks like you got a little shadow, man.”

Dream flipped him and almost immediately a look of realization crossed his face and he groaned, studiously not looking towards Michael.

“Oh, um, no, Michael,” said Ranboo, “we don’t say that.”

Chapter Text

Once the hot chocolate was finished, Michael had gotten antsy, toddling around the room and touching anything within reach before returning to Dream’s lap. Then he had done it all again. This time, he had stopped to examine Dream’s leg before climbing back up, doing his best to be careful, treating Dream as he would Chicken if Chicken was sick. He wiggled his nose at Dream.

“Your foot gone?” he asked.

Dream wished he could disappear into the floor. He nodded.

“How?”

It was a simple question, one that any child would’ve asked, wanting to understand the world around them and not quite grasping how things were intertwined, how even a simple question could cause deep pain.

It was a simple question but it hit Dream hard enough to take his breath away, chest tight, the edges of his vision going white and blurry. Every ounce of his control was dedicated to sitting completely still in the rocking chair, horribly aware of the child in his lap. He was horribly aware of everything in the room; the way Techno and Ranboo were looking at him, the way the chair felt hard and cold beneath him, how even the air felt like needles on his skin.

The memory of losing his foot was vivid but as if he had watched it through someone else, like a grainy home video that had been watched over and over again. Something about that made it even more jarring, like Dream couldn’t reconcile how fractured his memories were.

When Techno spoke, he sounded as if he was underwater.

“Alright, kiddo, you wanna go outside and see the polar bears? Heck, I’ll even let you ride on Steve,” he said, holding out his hand to Michael.

Any hesitation that Michael might have had went out the window the moment Techno mentioned a polar bear and the chance to ride on it. He wasn’t even sure what a polar bear was but it sounded neat and so he took Techno’s hand, oinking excitedly.

They were out the door before either Dream or Ranboo could protest.

“Uh, hey, Dream, you alright there, man?”

Dream looked at Ranboo. Their eyes were focused on a point above Dream’s head and he was used to that, they had always been that way, but Dream wanted them to look at him, to see any sort of recognition in their red and green eyes, if only to anchor him to reality. Right now he felt as if he was slipping away.

He wasn’t alright. There were too many pieces to pick up. He tightened his grip on the arms of the chair.

“Do you—Do you remember anything?” he asked.

Ranboo had been expecting that question. It was a simple question, almost child-like in the way Dream asked it, and Ranboo felt an odd pang in their chest because they knew what the answer would be.

“Yeaaah… I really don’t,” they said. Dream’s face fell slightly and they scrambled to clarify. “I mean, like, I remember some things? Just not any of the details or why. Which, phew, that’s a pretty big thing not to remember.”

There was silence, heavy and awkward. Ranboo’s tail twitched then wrapped tightly around their leg. They wanted answers and Dream had to have them, didn’t he? But his gaze was unfocused, sweat beading on his forehead and dripping down to catch in the fine fur of his nose and Ranboo sighed.

Dream’s ears laid back at the sound, eyes wide, and it took him a moment to find the words.

“Maybe—Maybe it’s a good thing,” said Dream. “If y-you don’t remember, no one will know. You can say that you didn’t work with me.”

Relief flowed through Ranboo and they wanted to agree immediately. The only thing stopping them was the sad, distant way Dream was looking at them, the way he had interacted so cautiously with Michael, the way scars littered his skin and his entire body was trembling. It wasn’t pity that they were feeling, but some sort of grief and understanding that was just out of reach.

“Yeah, that kind of feels like a cop out.”

Dream shrugged, fingers finally beginning to loosen their hold on the arms of the chair.

“I guess,” he said and the uncertainty of his tone matched the words, not understanding why Ranboo wouldn’t merely agree. He glanced towards the window. Outside he could hear the sounds of Michael laughing.

“There was, like, a plan and everything, right? What about that?” Ranboo asked.

Dream had a plan once but he could barely remember what it was, what he had wanted. Only that he had done everything he could, no matter what the cost was, and had ignored how badly it hurt. And it hurt so much. He looked down at the chair and for a moment he could see blood staining the wood then he blinked and it was gone.

The memory of blood came more easily than the memory of his friends.

He hated it, hated so much he thought he’d drown in it.

“I—I don’t know anymore,” Dream admitted, voice cracking and he blinked his eyes rapidly.

A soft laugh escaped Ranboo before they could stop it and Dream looked at him, confusion on his face.

“It’s just, I don’t know, either,” they said. “So, hey, at least you’re not alone!”

It was meant as a joke but it was true, at least for now, and Dream felt comfort in that fact. The corners of his mouth pulled up slightly. He could hear the sound of Techno and Michael coming up the porch stairs.

“Yeah.”

Somehow the silence of the cabin now that Michael and Ranboo were gone was worse.

Dream could feel his heart pounding in his chest. That brief moment of comfort he had felt at the thought he wasn’t the only who didn’t know what to do now had disappeared in the reality of it. He didn’t know, couldn’t remember, and he felt sick. It was a sort of helplessness that was worse than the torture because at least that was out of his control; this was inside him, something broken in his mind like a vase smashed on the floor and he didn’t know how to fix it.

Maybe there would never be a way to fix it.

What am I going to do now?

It was a simple question, one he had been asked so often and he had no answer and he hated that as well. He wanted it to stop.

(No one would ask that sort of question of a rabbit, no one wanted to know what a rabbit would do next because the answer was simple; a rabbit would run and dig and chew and sleep.)

A metallic taste flooded his mouth.

Techno had tried to ask Dream if he was alright but he had received no indication the man had heard him, not even a flick of his ear, and so Techno had decided not to push it. He had busied himself by washing the dishes – the chocolate had congealed at the bottom of the mugs and would sit there forever if he didn’t do something – and cleaning up after his guests but once that was done, Techno was at a loss.

Dream hadn’t moved.

His face was covered in a thin layer of sweat and he was pale, trembling where he sat rigid in the chair, ears flat against his skull. Despite how wide his eyes were, bulging out, he didn’t seem to be staring at anything in particular.

Frowning, Techno ran through his options, remembering how easily that Dream startled, and realized that no matter what he did, the reaction wouldn’t be good. He felt for Dream; there were times when he had been jumpy over the smallest of things, to the point even Phil had felt the need to mention it, and he knew it wasn’t a good feeling. Techno leaned against the wall, half in the kitchen and cleared his throated.

Dream still didn’t move.

“I was thinkin’ about makin’ some dinner,” said Techno, watching for any sign of life. Nothing. “How about some mashed peas?”

Dream’s nose twitched and he shuddered, hunching down further in the chair. That wasn’t the reaction Techno had been hoping for and he rubbed a hand over his face.

“C’mon, Dream, I know somethin’ is wrong but you gotta talk to me, man,” he said. A moment passed. “You want somethin’ to eat or…?”

Finally, Dream shifted, looking at Techno. It took a moment for the blankness to disappear, replaced by recognition that was tinted by grief and fear.

“I’m—”

He stopped dead, so unlike his usual stutter that Techno took a step forward out of concern, and then Dream vomited. Techno also stopped dead in his tracks.

“I’m not hungry,” Dream said, voice distant, sliding in the chair.

“What the heck, man.” Techno stepped to the side, moving to stand next to Dream, hand on his chest to stop him from collapsing to the floor. “I mean, you could’ve just told me you don’t like my cookin’.”

Dream didn’t look up at him. His shoulders sagged and a tremor went through him that was different than the others, that Techno remembered from the prison.

“No, no,” he muttered as he crouched down, placing one hand on the side of Dream’s face, tilting his head up. Techno brushed his thumb over Dream’s cheek. “Hey, hey, Dream, I’m gonna need you to stay here, alright? Just stay with me, man. As cute as you are as a bunny, I really need you here.”

The smell of vomit was heavy and sour in the air. Techno wanted to pick Dream up and move him away but he was afraid that anything more than the gentlest touch might set him off, might cause him to retreat further away from Techno and the person Dream was.

“Dream, please, man, don’t make me beg. Please.”

A deep sigh escaped Dream and the tremoring stopped. Techno pulled him closer, pressing their foreheads together, grateful that he had gotten through to his friend. After a moment, Dream sagged against him and Techno took that as a sign to lift him up and move him to the other chair, away from the vomit on the floor.

“Alright, let me see the damage,” he said, pulling out his handkerchief from his pocket. Dream’s expression was vaguely annoyed and Techno smiled as he wiped his face clean. “Well, it could be worse, I guess.”

Dream’s eyes darted towards the mess on the floor and he nodded his head once.

Techno snorted.

“It’s a good thing I actually like you, Dream. You wanna tell me what’s wrong?”

Dream didn’t want to, wasn’t sure he could even if he did, but Techno’s words had made his chest ache, despite the anger of wanting to know why Techno hadn’t come, and he decided asking the question wouldn’t be worth it. Not now, at least.

“It’s just too much,” said Dream, finally.

“Yeah, it is.”

Too much pain, too much anger, all for one person. If anyone would understand, Techno would; he had been there before and thought he was going to drown in it and the only reason he hadn’t was because of those around him. Phil, Ranboo, Niki. All people who had been there for him, who had given him a reason to be better. He put his hand over Dream’s.

“Can—Can I stay here?”

The question was almost nonsensical on the surface. Techno had treated Dream as a guest from the start, had returned to the prison to bring him back, but the debt had paid and Dream knew that. How long would the hospitality last? How much would Techno be willing to shoulder for someone he had once asserted wasn’t a friend, merely someone that hadn’t betrayed him and had the same goal? Techno squeezed his hand, wrapping his fingers around Dream’s boney ones.

“Yeah, man, you can stay here as long as you want, alright?”

Dream nodded and looked away.

A beat and then Techno said, “Just don’t puke on my dang floor again, Dream.”

Chapter Text

The cold seeped through Ranboo’s suit and they were beginning to regret asking Punz to meet somewhere outside, way from the cabins and their own home, where Phil was watching his son. But the conversation they needed to have wasn’t something Ranboo wanted to risk others overhearing; not after the conversation with Dream, not when they were still afraid of what the others might think about them once everything was on the table. Wind picked up and Ranboo shivered.

“Sorry, I was running late.”

Punz’s voice cut across the snowy open field and Ranboo turned towards them, raising a hand awkwardly.

“Oh, uh, no worries, no worries,” they said as they glanced around. “Thanks for coming.”

“So… What’s up?”

“Right. We know each other. Like, actually know each other, right?”

Shoving their hands into the pockets of the white jacket, Punz sighed. They had been expecting this, if he was honest, had been from the moment they realized Ranboo was involved with this side of it.

“Yeah, I mean, we’ve worked together,” said Punz, slowly. It was a hard line to walk, knowing what to tell them, what Dream would want them to know. “You seriously don’t remember anything at all?”

Ranboo deflated, tall frame almost folding in on itself.

“Nothing, not a thing. I’ve tried, I’ve really tried but nothing. Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine, no need to be sorry,” they said with a shrug. “We kinda knew this would happen. Well, you knew it would it’d be this way.”

It should have come as a surprise to Ranboo but it didn’t. They remembered the inventory full of quartz, the wear on their tools when there shouldn’t have been any, waking up places that they had no idea how they had gotten to or why. This wasn’t merely sleepwalking with no purpose; it was deliberate and thoughtful.

“Riiiight.” Ranboo tugged at the hem of their suit jacket. Blurry memories bounced around inside their skull, more like instinct than anything else. “You don’t know, like, why we were working together, do you?”

Punz didn’t hesitate in their answer.

“You wanted the same thing as us, as Dream. No more fighting, no more—division, I guess.”

A strange feeling of relief settled on Ranboo’s shoulders.

“No more sides,” they said.

Punz smiled.

“Yeah, exactly.”

There was only one more question that was tugging at the back of Ranboo’s mind and it took them a moment to figure out how to word it.

“Do you think that’s what he – Dream – still wants? I mean, after everything?”

The cabins weren’t visible from this distance but Punz still looked in their direction, a thoughtful expression on his face. It was the obvious question, one that they had wondered about as well, but he knew Dream and after everything, still believed.

“I think so, yeah.”

Ranboo let out a deep breath and straightened.

“Alright, so what do we do then?”

A smile spread across Punz’s face, as if they had been waiting for Ranboo to ask.

“Oh, I have a few ideas.”

Dream leaned forward in the chair, eyes moving around the room, judging each chest and piece of clutter, trying to determine what would be sturdy enough to lean on and what would likely send him tumbling to the floor. In the kitchen, Techno had the water running and Dream knew that if he called out, he’d come and help Dream get up but that thought made Dream’s cheeks go hot.

He really had to pee, though.

Shifting where he sat, he thought he could use the chair to stand – he had moved from the rocking chair – and then reach out to grab the bookshelf. It was far but Dream didn’t really have a choice.

(He did. A voice in his head, soft, embarrassing, said that the pigman would carry him if he asked, that he had before, but Dream shook that voice away, ears flicking violently.)

It took a moment for him to push himself up. His arms were shaking, his right leg was burning. His weight was almost nonexistent but it was still too much. Sweat caught in the soft fur on his neck. As soon as he was standing, Dream realized he had misjudged the distance from the chair to the bookshelf.

If he didn’t move now, he would fall. If he did move, he was likely to fall. Frustration built in his chest and he ground his teeth together. He reached one arm out and pushed off with his remaining foot. He hit the bookshelf and the entire thing rattled. A few books fell to the floor and Dream swore under his breath.  

“What the heck is goin’ on in here?” asked Techno, popping his head around into the living room and trying to keep the worry out of his voice and failing. 

All of Dream’s strength and effort was going to holding himself up. His mouth was dry but his palms were sweaty and he felt his grip slipping, felt himself falling backwards.

“I gotcha.” Techno had already moved to catch Dream, wrapping an arm around his back, another hand on his chest to keep him from pitching forward. “I gotcha, man.”

Dream pushed against him, hard enough that it caught Techno off-guard and he let go without thinking, the result being that Dream crashed to the floor. For a moment, Techno stood there, surprised at the chain of events, before crouching down next to Dream. Carefully, he took his arm and righted him, keeping one hand on Dream’s back.

“Alright, seriously, man, what the heck just happened?”

Looking up at the ceiling, Dream shuddered. His hip hurt from where he had landed on it.

“I—I was trying to get up,” he said, finally.

Techno blinked.

“I mean, I could figure that part out for myself, Dream,” Techno said, rubbing his back. “I’m askin’ why, though.”

“Because—Because I have to fucking piss, Techno.”

The response wasn’t what Techno had been expecting. It was so banal, so normal that Techno felt laughter bubble up in his chest. He tried to stop it, he really did, but his chuckle was loud and Dream jumped slightly, before glaring at Techno.

“Alright, man, fair enough.” He looped his arm under Dream’s and pulled him up, letting him lean on him. “You can always just tell me.”

Dream wanted that to be true, wanted it to be true for all the things that were swirling around in his mind. There was sincerity in Techno’s voice, though, and he couldn’t shake that fact. No matter what Dream’s reality had been for the last year, Techno believed it and Dream trusted him, at least that much. He allowed himself to place his weight against Techno’s side.

The bathroom was small and smelled of water and soap and stone with the undercurrent of dog that was present throughout the entire cabin, even though all the dogs had been relegated to the outside when Techno had brought the rabbit here. Dream shifted on the short stool. It had no cushion and the height was awkward. He watched Techno rummage through one of the drawers, mentally vowing to kick him if he brought out ribbons again. 

“Aha!” Techno straightened. “I knew I had a brush that didn’t have dog hair in it somewhere.”

Dream frowned; he had a good idea of what Techno was planning and he didn’t like it nor did he believe for a second there wasn’t dog hair in the brush.

“What are you doing?” he signed. 

Turning on the tap for the small sink, Techno ran the brush beneath the water.

“Have you seen that mop of yours, Dream? It needs a good brushin’,” he said.

There was a mirror above the sink. Dream had been avoiding it but now he looked, examining his reflection. His ears were ragged and the bags under his eyes were dark and heavy, his cheeks hollow in a way they had never been before. And Techno was right; his tawny hair was a tangled mess, bits sticking up here and there.

As an answer, Dream crossed his arms over his chest and sunk down slightly where he sat, rolling his eyes when Techno snickered.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Grabbing an empty barrel that was shoved by the back wall, Techno pulled it over and sat on it, behind Dream. As soon as he touched Dream’s hair, he tensed and that made Techno pause and when he spoke again, his voice was soft. “Don’t worry, I’m an expert at brushin’ hair.”

“You—You don’t have to do this,” said Dream.

Techno gave a low hum, carefully pulling the brush through Dream’s hair and trying to ignore the anger and disgust at the scars that lay on his scalp, hidden beneath the hair. It was impossible to ignore the scars on his neck and shoulders.

“I don’t mind helpin’ you, man.”

The sincerity was still deep in Techno’s voice but it grated and Dream felt the annoyance building, picking at the fabric of his pants. It was worn at the knee.

“Yeah, sure.”

As thick as the sincerity was in Techno’s words, the doubt was just as clear in Dream’s and Techno didn’t miss it. He frowned and paused, brush hovering near Dream’s head. Hadn’t he made it obvious enough by this point that he was willing to help Dream, that he’d do what it took to keep him safe? He was a guest and more than that, a friend. Wasn’t he? Techno smoothed a hand over Dream’s ears before pulling the brush through his hair once more.

“Seriously, Dream. I even helped you blow up a country,” said Techno, forcing his tone into a teasing one. “Besides, I’m thinkin’ it’s time you get a little help.”

Nothing that Techno said was a lie, nothing he had done since he had found Dream had said otherwise, but something still pricked at Dream, like a thorn stuck in his paw that he couldn’t dig out. He shivered, clasping his hands together, knuckles white.

“I—You didn’t come,” he said and the words tore at his throat like brambles. “Qua—They said everyone knew and you didn’t come, not until—when I didn’t want you to.”

Oh.

The guilt that Techno had felt the day Quackity had come, asking if he had spoken to Dream, came crashing back. It had been on his mind a lot, not visiting, the complicated nature of their relationship, how one of the last things Techno had said to Dream was that they weren’t friends. It hadn’t been true, even then, but neither of them could say as much.

Techno sighed, draping his arms over Dream’s shoulders and resting his chin on top of his head, ignoring the way Dream flicked his ears annoyingly into Techno’s face. It was on purpose, Techno had no doubt about that.

“Hand to god, Dream, I had no idea what they were doin’,” he said. He could feel Dream take a deep breath, chest shuddering. “You know that, man.”

“Yeah.”

On the stool, Dream squirmed slightly, lifting one hand to rub furiously at his nose.

“But I’m sorry, alright? You’re right, I should’ve come, I owed you.”

Dream tensed and then sighed, sagging against Techno for a moment before he leaned away.

“Well, to—to be fair, you don’t owe me anymore,” he said.

With a snort, Techno patted Dream on his shoulders and straightened.

“Yeah, but now we’re friends,” said Techno, words lilting, taking up the brush again. “This is what friends do.”

Dream thumped his remaining foot against the ground, rolling his eyes hard enough that Techno knew that was exactly what he was doing without even seeing.

“Being your friend sucks.”

The laugh from Techno boomed in the small room, echoing off the stone walls.

“Yeah, yeah, you and Phil can start a club to commiserate,” he said.

Another thump, this one harder, but when Dream spoke some of the grief and anger had bleed from his words and Techno could hear the smile without seeing that either.

“Fuck no, that’d—that’d be worse.”

“Alright, I’m tellin’ Phil you said that.”

“Techno!”

Chapter Text

There were no ribbons in Dream’s hair but there were no tangles, either, nothing to pull awkwardly at his scalp and make his skin itch. It was almost enough to make him feel guilty about the bits of tawny and white fluff that stuck to Techno’s clothes. Almost. The rest of him felt like it was a bit deserved, payback for the dog hair and the awkwardness and everything else. Techno would’ve laughed, knowing his reasoning, and that’s why Dream didn’t feel guilty.

A noise sounded from outside and Dream’s ears turned towards the door at the same time that Techno stopped pacing, hooves scrapping against the wood floor.

“Oh, Phil’s back,” he said and pulled the door to the cabin open.

Phil had only placed one foot on the porch stairs when the door was opened and there was clear surprise on his features before he shook his head.

“Hi, mate.”

“Hullo, Phil,” said Techno, stepping back so Phil could come inside, grasping his shoulder as he passed. “Everything still lookin’ quiet?”

“Not a peep from those bastards,” he said as he wiped his boots off on the rug. “But that’s what I wanted to talk about.”

Closing the door, Techno dropped the plank of wood across, glancing at Dream, noticing the way that his ears were pressed against his skull and the way his face paled the moment Phil spoke. Techno didn’t blame him; there was something ominous about Phil’s words and he began pacing once more, stopping near Dream to place a hand on his head for a brief second.

“Is this a good talk or a bad talk, Phil, ‘cause I’m gonna be honest, it’s not soundin’ like the good sort of talk.”

Phil laughed but the seriousness didn’t leave his eyes.

“Something needs to be done about them, mate. What they did to you… Nah, I can’t let that slide, no fucking way,” he said. When he glanced towards Dream, his face softened. “And what they did to him. I haven’t forgotten.”

Techno turned to look at Dream. He was staring at Phil, a mix of confusion and disbelief on his face, cheeks pink. After a moment, he seemed to notice. The blush deepened and he looked away.

“Anyway.” Techno clapped his hands together. “I’m not sayin’ I’m strictly opposed to that idea, but that prison looks pretty sturdy.”

“There’s always Las Nevadas,” said Phil, pointedly.

It took Techno a moment, glancing at Dream to see if there was any flash of recognition but there was nothing.

“Ah, right, right. Las Nevadas. That’s Quackity’s new empire, yeah? Right. I knew that,” he said with a snort.

Shaking his head, Phil huffed in amusement, the smile on his face was fond.

“Ranboo knows some about it, guess they had some kind outpost over that way,” he said, gesturing over his shoulder. “I was going to ask Punz if he was open to doing a bit of recon.”

“I’m sure they’ll say yes,” said Techno, still pacing around the small room. “Actually, Phil, think you could do me a favor?”

“Of course, mate.” There wasn’t even a fraction of a second of hesitation. “Anything.”

Techno grinned.

“Yeah, yeah, Phil, you might wanna hear what it is first. I need to work on somethin’ in the basement, can you keep Dream here company?”

In the chair, Dream sat forward, ears swiveling forward, the longer one twitching in annoyance.

“What?” he signed.

“It’s fine, Dream.” Techno waved a hand in his direction. “I just didn’t want to leave you alone.”

Dream rolled his eyes and flipped Techno off before crossing his arms. Techno stopped, wanting to say something, but there was no way that Dream would want to have this conversation in front of Phil. He scratched the side of his face.

“I don’t mind, mate, as long as he doesn’t try to bite me again,” Phil said.

Dream snorted. His irritation was still present but it had faded and Techno counted that as a win. He slapped Phil on the back, pulling him into a brief side hug.

“Thanks, man, you’re a life saver,” he said and with one las glance around the room, disappeared down the ladder to the basement.

“Any idea what all that was about?” asked Phil after a moment, moving to sit on the chair opposite from Dream.

Something had been pulling Techno’s attention, Dream knew that much, but he didn’t know what, hadn’t even thought about it. He might have, once, but his brain felt foggier these days, slower to get to the point, and he hated it. He shrugged, shaking his head.

“Huh.” Phil rubbed his hands over his knees. “Sure we’ll find out soon enough.”

If he was looking for a response, Dream didn't oblige. His entire body was tense, fingers twisted together tightly. He wanted Techno to come back, for Phil to go away, and he hated that he felt kind of guilty about that. So far, Phil had been cold to him but that didn’t change the fact he had helped Techno get Dream out of prison and was actively keeping him safe. He shouldn’t be so uncomfortable around him and yet.

He was and that was partly by design and Dream was thinking that, how he couldn’t remember how he thought it would get him what he wanted.

“Have you thought about what we talked about?”

With a quiet sigh, Dream looked at Phil, palms up and open. Phil might not have known much sign language but the expression was universal.

“About what you’re going to do next,” Phil clarified.

He hadn’t. He didn’t want to.

“Why—” Dream swallowed back the anger and tried again. “Why do I have to decide? I can’t—I can’t even walk, I’m ruined, why can’t—Why can’t someone else do it?”

“We’re talking about the things you did.”

Of course they were. Another part of Dream’s plan that he didn’t understand the point of anymore. It had all been for nothing. He blinked, trying to make the bleariness in his vision go away.

“Yeah, well, Sam and Q-Quackity made sure I paid for it so,” he said.

Phil’s wings ruffled and he frowned. There were too many scars covering Dream to ever fully heal and even in the limited time Phil had been around him, it was clear he wasn’t himself. Not that Phil had known him before, not truly, but he had seen enough in his long life to know what the look that settled on Dream’s face meant. He knew trauma when he saw it, on his closest friend’s face, in the mirror, and now on Dream.

He wondered what had been under the mask the entire time.

“Mate, that’s not what I mean,” said Phil, leaning forward. “No one deserves what they did to you.”

A thought came back to Dream, that Techno hadn’t known, and the sympathy on Phil’s face felt too real and painful.

“You didn’t know?”

The sympathy was replaced by horror and shock.

“What?! No, are you fucking kidding me, mate? You think I would’ve known about this and not done something to get you the hell out of there?”

Dream had thought that. He didn’t need to say anything, either, because Phil knew the answer.

“Damn…”

Rubbing a hand over his face, Phil leaned forward.

“It’s not true. Whatever you did, you didn’t deserve that. I’m not jumping to forgive you but people can change,” he said. “If that’s what you want.”

“Yeah, well.” There was a lump in Dream’s throat that he couldn’t get rid of no matter how many times he swallowed. “You’re—You’re going to Quackity’s and doing what exactly?”

The change of topic was sudden and deliberate. Phil grinned.

“Alright, stubborn bastard,” he said, leaning back in the chair. The sound of a hammer on metal came from the basement. “Scare him. Make a point about how he can’t get away with torturing people.”

“Well, to be fair, he can. If anyone else had the—the revive book, this wouldn’t’ve happened. If I didn’t have it—”

“It still would’ve happened,” finished Phil, knowing what Dream was going to say because he had been thinking it himself. If it weren’t for Techno, there was a part of Phil that might not have cared. He wasn’t proud of that part. “You still have the book?”

Dream nodded.

“What happens if you don’t have the book anymore?”

To Dream the answer was obvious.

“They’ll kill me. I won’t be useful,” he said.

“The hell they will. We won’t let them.” The doubt was clear on Dream’s face; he didn’t believe that and Phil couldn’t blame him. At this distance, Phil could see the way his hands trembled. Wilbur’s hands had trembled like that, that day in the control room. They were both too young to tremble like that. “I mean it. Techno won’t let them. You damn well know that much.”

He did.

“Yeah.” Dream didn’t want to speak any more. His eyes felt heavy and it was getting harder and harder to string words together, to get his thoughts in order. “If I don’t have the book, someone—someone needs to have it.”

Phil’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. He hadn’t thought that far ahead because he didn’t think that was something Dream would go along with.

“Completely up to you, mate,” he said, reaching out and putting his hand over Dream’s. It was awkward but he wanted to stop the trembling, just for a moment.

Dream stared down at his lap.

“Techno or—or—or you.”

Of all the things Dream could’ve said, Phil wasn’t expecting that. Punz had been at the top of his list and then Techno but he had never thought Dream would even consider giving it to him, not when his dead son had been an enemy of Dream’s. A way to bring Wilbur back was all he had been thinking about but now he couldn’t get the undercurrent of fear that was present in Dream’s eyes out of his mind. This kid had been tortured for months, he probably would say and do anything to ensure that didn’t happen again, and as much as it was breaking his heart all over, Phil couldn’t be a part of that.

He squeezed Dream’s hand.

“No. No decisions right now.” Dream was about to argue, Phil could sense it in his bones and he let go of Dream’s hand, moving back as he waved his own dismissively. “Shut. We’ve got time.”

Dream wanted to argue; it didn’t feel like they had time, he felt like he had to figure out what he was doing now, that everyone was looking to him for answers or a reason or an excuse, and he didn’t understand Phil’s sudden shift. He wanted to argue but he didn’t and there was a clambering coming from the ladder and a moment later, Techno poked his head up.

“Did ya miss me?”

Chapter Text

Dream had sunk down into the chair, silent and judging.

It was actually impressive how much skepticism and irritation that Dream was able to display on his face. The soft rabbit nose and big eyes were disarming enough that if Techno didn’t know him, hadn’t been on the receiving end of plenty of Dream’s ‘oh my god’s, he would think he wasn’t capable of looking so thoroughly disgruntled.

“Okay, Dream, you gotta say somethin’ because right now you’re not inspirin’ a lot of confidence here,” said Techno, finally.

Phil snorted.

The corner of Dream’s mouth twitched, a ghost of a smile, and the silence deepened, somehow becoming even more judgemental.

“Thanks, Phil, you’re a huge help.”

“What the hell did I do?” asked Phil, knowing exactly what he had done.

Techno waved his free hand in Phil’s direction.

“Look, I know it looks unconventional but I swear it’ll work,” he said.

In his hand, Techno held an odd contraption: it was made of iron, tempered and hammered down thin and shaped like a half oval, the bottom part longer and the top anchored in a piece of wood and the wood was wrapped in leather, straps dangling off of it.

“It’s not going to work,” Dream signed.

Techno sighed, arms hanging limply at his sides.

“Would you at least try?”

Rolling his eyes, Dream looked away. It would have been easy to chalk it up to petulance, that deeply stubborn streak Dream had, the kind that was learned through survival, but there was too much worry and fear on his face. The exasperation that Techno felt disappeared.

“C’mon, man,” he said, his voice soft.

Dream raised his hands, started to sign the same thing, but then changed halfway through, shaking his head, frown deepening.  

“What if it doesn’t work?”

“It will and if it doesn’t, I can fix it,” said Techno and he meant it, tried to make certain that Dream knew that he meant it. 

The earnesty in Techno’s voice caught Phil’s attention. He had been only half paying attention. Looking between the two, Phil could work out the gist of what had been said, even though he only knew a few basic bits of sign language. He tipped his hat upwards.

“Stop being so damn stubborn, kid.” His word choice was deliberate. Dream’s ears flattened against his skull and his cheeks went pink. “What does it cost you to try?”

Dream looked at Phil.

There were so many things he could say if he could find the words; that it could cost him everything, that he was clinging onto the idea things would go back to how they were one day and this could shatter it and he didn’t know what would happen if he lost that hope. He hadn’t even realized he still had hope until this moment. Rubbing the too-big sleeve against his face, Dream shrugged.

“I don’t—It won’t be the same,” he said, wanting to be angry but finding there was nothing left but exhaustion and the hollow grief of admitting something you wanted to keep buried. “It’s never going to be the same.”

He didn’t just mean his ability to walk and everyone in the room knew that.

Nothing would ever be the same, Dream would never be the same. He couldn’t be the same, not when the damage to both body and mind had been so bad. And the server could never be the same; the ground and people in it had been changed and scarred.

“I mean, you’re right, Dream, but that doesn’t mean you gotta sit in my favorite chair and—” Techno paused. He wanted to be kind. More than anything, he wanted to be kind and gentle and give Dream the sort of grace that he had been given at his lowest. Despite everything, Dream deserved that. But he knew Dream and Phil was right when he called him stubborn. “And pout. There’s no way you give up that easily.”

Dream scowled, the empty sadness replaced by very pointed annoyance.

“I’m not giving up, Techno,” he said, sitting up straighter. “What—What am I supposed to do? I can’t do this.”

The words cut off as if he had more to say. Techno could imagine what it was. He might have thought the same thing himself, once. With a grin, he reached down and put a hand on Dream’s shoulder.

“Anythin’ is possible with the power of friendship,” said Techno, voice sing-song.

The look on Dream’s face was incredulous, ears immediately whipping around to point towards Techno.

“What?”

“He means you’re not alone. It doesn’t have to be just you,” Phil said, answering Dream’s question from earlier. It had hit him, now, why Dream didn’t have an answer to what he was going to do. He had been trying to carry everything himself and he couldn’t, not anymore. It had to feel sour then, to spend so long being the one pulling the strings, shouldering the burden, only to find it impossible. “Little shit.”

“You’re so annoying.”

“Yup,” agreed Phil.

“Oh, I can be even more annoyin’, if you want, Dream,” said Techno at the same time.

Dream bit down on his bottom lip, nose twitching furiously, as he tried not to grin. His vision was blurry but the tears had thankfully stayed where they were. He gave a strained huff of laughter.

“God, fine, I’ll try the stupid foot,” he said.

“See, I knew you’d come around.” Techno slapped Dream’s knee gently, watching to see if he flinched, wanting to know where the boundaries were. There was nothing besides Dream rolling his eyes. “If this doesn’t work, I can tweak it.”

On closer inspection, the blade of the prosthetic went up the back of the wood it was mounted to, wrapped in leather, the inside padded with soft cotton. It fit snug against the stump of Dream’s leg and when Techno tightened the straps, Dream felt a flare of hope in his chest. He didn’t think it would work, was trying to hold firm to the idea that it wouldn’t work, but all he could think was, what if it did?

“How does that feel?”

Shrugging, Dream stretched his leg. He didn’t have anything to compare the sensation to – something that shouldn’t be there in place of something his body still thought was there – and so he didn’t answer. In his head, he was fighting against the hope that was burning and the sudden fear that was all instinct, animal-like, screaming that this was just another snare he was caught in. Sweat beaded on his forehead and dripped down into his eye, stinging.

“Alright,” Techno said. He hadn’t expected an answer. He almost told Phil it might be a good time for him to go home, that him and Dream would try again tomorrow, but Dream was gripping the arms of the chair as if he was intending to use it as leverage to stand. Techno stood and held out his hand. “Let me help you up.”

The offer was ignored until the moment Dream remembered the chair he was sitting in was a rocking chair and slipped forward when he tried to put his weight on the arms. Techno resisted the urge to point out that obvious fact. Dream took his hand and Techno pulled him up.

Almost immediately, Dream pitched forward, balance off, falling face first into Techno. Techno winced at the impact, his own snout itching at the imagined pain. Grabbing the back of Dream’s shirt, he straightened him.

“You okay, man?”

“I’m fine,” said Dream, grinding his teeth together, making a popping sound that sounded painful. His face was pale but the expression that had settled on it was determined.

Techno moved to Dream’s side, looping an arm around his back, letting him lean on him as Dream tested his balance. The curved metal blade had a slight give as he moved and it was just different enough that it made him feel dizzy. He flicked his ear.

One step and then another and by the fourth step, the dizziness had faded to the edges of his vision. When Techno had started to move away, Dream had tightened his grip on his arm, the meaning clear. Not yet. Techno patted his hand and took another couple steps.

“Not so bad, is it?” Phil asked, leaning with his shoulder against the door frame. His wings were almost grazing the brewing stand by the window. “Told you so.”

Dream narrowed his eyes at Phil. He could argue, he almost wanted to argue, if only to wipe the pleased look off of Phil’s face. But the look was pleased, not smug, and for some reason that made all the difference.

“Yeah, I—I guess. It’s okay,” he said, not wanting to concede too much.

“Y’know what Dream? I’ll take it,” said Techno. “I’ll take it.”

Chapter Text

It took exactly half a day for Techno to regret his words.

He thought if Dream had something to focus on, he would be more like his old self, instead of the shell of his former ally that seemed to be half driven on animal instinct, half on fear, languishing in Techno’s favorite chair. And now, he certainly wasn’t sitting deathly still as he had been.

Techno really wished he would sit.

Dream’s tawny hair was stuck to his face and neck with sweat. He was leaning against the wall, grip so tight that Techno was taking mental bets on whether Dream’s fingers or the spruce wood log would snap first. His mouth and nose twitched constantly from the effort, ears low, legs shaking.

There was the faint scent of fresh blood in the air.

“You want somethin’ to eat, Dream?” asked Techno, marking the page of his book with a scrap of ribbon – one of the pieces he had used to adorn Dream’s ear – and set it to the side.

Dream shook his head.

With a pointed sigh, Techno leaned back in the chair.

“You need to eat, Dream, especially if you’re gonna be runnin’ yourself ragged like this,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time you actually ate.”

Rolling his eyes, Dream opened his mouth to speak, panting to catch his breath, and changed his mind almost immediately.

“I’m fine,” he signed.

“Sure, Dream, you’re totally fine. That’s why you look about five seconds away from fallin’ on my floor.” 

With a huff, Dream shook his head.

“I don’t want—” Taking a deep breath, Dream steadied himself and moved to the empty chair, practically collapsing into it. “I don’t want your shitty peas, Techno.”

“I’ll get you a drink, then,” Techno said, already on his feet. As he passed Dream he held up a hand, waving a finger in his direction. “Ah ah, don’t even try to argue, man.”

For once, Dream didn’t. He was tired. The stump where his foot had been hurt, badly, and if he kept arguing he just knew that Techno would pry more and more, trying to find something that he could do to help, in way that was even more annoying. This would be a good distraction for both of them.

And Dream was thirsty.

As soon as Techno was out of the room, Dream bent, trying to adjust the prosthetic foot. It hurt. He had overdone it, he knew that, but it helped him focus, kept the strange, fearful thoughts that didn’t seem to belong to him buried. If he lost that focus, he would slip and no longer be himself.

Maybe it wouldn’t be that bad, the thought came, sounding a lot like himself but a version he didn’t know anymore. It could’ve been nice.

Until Quackity cut my foot off, he thought and it was him, the version in Techno’s cabin. Now he wears it on his fucking belt.

He tightened his jaw, teeth grinding with a pop.

Blood had begun to seep through the cotton padding and leather. Dream frowned. If he took it off, he would probably need help to put it back on, and Techno would notice. Grabbing one of the old quilts that Techno liked to drape over the back of his chairs, Dream dabbed at the blood, cleaning as much as possible. Then he folded the blanket to hide the spot of blood and put it back.

From the kitchen, he could smell familiar spices and milk and honey and hear Techno muttering to himself, hooves click-clacking on the wooden floor.

That was familiar, too, a memory attached that he was struggling to remember clearly.

“You alright there, Dream?” asked Techno, two steaming mugs in his hands.

Dream blinked.

“What?” he signed.

“I dunno, you just looked lost in thought.” He placed a mug into Dream’s hand and gave him a quick pat. “You were almost smilin’, I could’ve had a heart attack.”

“You’re so stupid,” Dream said, taking a sip of the drink. It was sweet and thick.

“We’ve got to get you some new material, man,” said Techno.

“Yeah, well.” Dream took another sip, nose wiggling. “Shut up. It’s true.”

“Amazin’.” The smile on Techno’s face was wide and fond. “Drink your dang milk.”

“I can help you upstairs,” said Techno.

Dream was staring at the ladder. His ears pricked forward, the expression on his face wavering between determination and uncertainty. There weren’t many options; he could sleep down here, he could let Techno help him up the ladder, or he could do it himself.

The answer was clear.

“I got it,” Dream said and grabbed one of the rungs of the ladder. Not too high. His arms shook slightly as he pulled himself up. Instinct had been to stand on his remaining foot and step onto the ladder with the prosthesis but he couldn’t judge it, missing the rung. Dream glanced over his shoulder but Techno stayed quiet. It was hard to balance on the new leg and he slipped. “Fuck.”

Only then did Techno move, putting one hand on Dream’s back to steady him.

“You got it, man,” he said.

“Shut up, Techno.”

Dream tried again, steadier now, and pulled himself up. 

That smell of fresh blood hit Techno once again and he frowned.

“I’ll be right up,” he called. The first aid kit was running a bit low and Techno made a mental note to restock it but it would suffice for now, if his suspicions were correct. He turned back to the ladder, climbing with ease. “Don’t tell me you’ve been standin’ there the whole time.”

“Okay,” said Dream, deadpan.

The expression – or lack therefore of – on Dream’s face, with his small nose twitching, one eyebrow just slightly raised, sent Techno into a quiet fit of laughter as he sat down on the bed.

“Alright, Dream, alright, I deserve that one,” he said. “But you’re still standin’ there like a loser.”

Waving his middle finger in Techno’s direction, Dream tested the bed with his foot before flopping down on his side. He winced but bit back any exclamation of pain. Techno shook his head.

“How’s the new foot?”

“It’s fine,” Dream said, the words muffled as he pressed his face into one of the pillows.

“Mmhm, and the bleeding?”

Dream froze completely, ears turned towards Techno. After a moment, his good foot thumped against the wall his back was pressed to.

“It’s fine.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a terrible liar, Dream?”

“What!? No! I’m not a terrible liar,” he said, finally moving enough to lift his head and scowl at Techno.

Techno gave a laugh.

“Alright, we also gotta work on your priorities, Dream, but at least let me bandage it. You shouldn’t be sleeping with that on, anyway,” said Techno, setting the first aid kit down on the bed between them, and scooting over. “C’mon.”

The sigh Dream gave was one of resignation, throwing a hand over his face and moving his leg closer to Techno. That was all the help he was willing to give. Techno shook his head; he hadn’t expected anything else. Undoing the straps, he pulled the prosthetic foot off. The stump was raw, especially on the side, the tan fur matted and the skin underneath irritated. It looked as though he hadn’t padded the inside well enough and part of the metal had dug into Dream’s skin.

“I’m gonna have to fix this,” he said. “It shouldn’t be too hard. Sorry about that, man.”

Dream shrugged.

There was something about the nonchalance that bothered Techno but he couldn’t put his finger on it or could but that thought wasn’t somewhere he wanted to go, that you could get used to a lot, even pain, when it came down to it. He wrapped what remained of Dream’s ankle and patted his leg when he was done.

“I’ll fix it first thing.”

Dream moved his arm slightly, looking at Techno with one eye.

“Thanks.”

With a smile, Techno rerolled the bandages and shoved them back into the basket before setting them aside. He grabbed one of the blankets, pulling up it over Dream unceremoniously.

“You’re welcome, Dream.” Yawning into the crook of his arm, Techno laid back, sat back up to fluff his pillow when it wasn’t to his satisfaction before laying back down. “Maybe next time you can tell me before it gets that bad, though, yeah?”

There was a long stretch of silence and then Dream sighed.

“Yeah, fine,” he said.

“I mean it, Dream. I’m just tryin’ to help.”

“I said yes, Technoblade, god.”

Techno snorted, suddenly reminded of moments when Phil had used Wilbur’s full name when he was young and had gotten into trouble. The similarities were there but the differences – a full grown man versus a child and that wasn’t even counting the rabbit features –  would have sent Techno into an uncontrollable fit of laughter if he hadn’t been tired. His chuckle turned into another yawn and when he glanced over at Dream, he was already asleep, exhaustion over taking him. Techno closed his eyes.

The knock at the door was early.

Techno hadn’t even gotten fully dressed, still in the robe he liked to wear around the cabin after taking a shower. The kettle was giving a low whistle, not quite ready, and so Techno ignored it in favor of moving to answer the door. He spared a glance at Dream, who was hunched down in his chair.

“It’s Niki,” he signed and Techno didn’t need to ask how Dream knew; he could smell the lingering scent of sugar as well.

Pulling the door open, Techno grinned.

“Hullo, Niki.” He stepped aside so she could come in. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

She laughed off his formalities as she stepped in the cabin.

“Oh, you know, Phil messaged me about—” Niki lowered her voice. “The plan, with Las Nevadas?”

“Right, right.”

Her next words were spoken at a normal volume.

“And I wanted to see how Dream was doing,” she said, looking towards him and giving a small wave. “Hi.”

He hesitated for a moment before returning the wave awkwardly.

The kettle began whistling loudly.

“Dang, let me go get that,” said Techno, stopping at the entryway to the kitchen. “Do you want a cup, Niki?”

“Yes, please, Techno.” She gestured to the empty chair, eyes on Dream. “Can I sit here?”

He shrugged as Techno disappeared into the kitchen. Niki sat.

“How are you doing?” she asked.

Dream had been going over all the possible answers in his head the moment Niki said she wanted to check on him. He could ignore her, he could lie, he could point out the obvious that he was fucking awful, what did she expect? What did she even care?

He sighed.

“I don’t know, fine, I guess,” he said. 

The sad smile on her face and the way she was looking at him made Dream wonder what she saw: a man in clothing that was too big, that was covered in scars and missing not just part of his ear or a couple fingers but his entire foot, who had bruises that were just now starting to fade and was scowling at her when all she had done was ask how he was. And she was still smiling at him.

Blinking, Dream looked away.

“It—It could be worse,” he added.

“Oh.” Her smile didn’t falter. “Well, I’m glad you’re doing fine. I can’t imagine how you must feel right now.”

“Yeah, well, don’t.”

Niki quirked an eyebrow and while the smile stayed, Dream felt the slightest hint of judgement seep into her expression.

“I’m not.”

Dream crossed his arms, foot thumping against the ground.

“Yeah, well.” His mouth twisted and twitched. “Good.”

“Everythin’ alright here?” asked Techno, bemused, not quite sure what he had walked back into.

“Oh, yeah,” Niki said. “I’m probably asking very annoying questions.”

Dream’s cheeks went red.

“It’s fine,” he lied.

“Yeah, Niki, it’s fine,” said Techno, handing her a mug of tea. “I ask him annoyin’ questions all the time.”

“Because you’re annoying.”

The statement was punctuated by another thump of his foot.

“Does that mean I’m not annoying, Dream?” Niki asked with the serene expression of someone who knew exactly what they were doing.

Thump.

“What is—” Dream stopped, noticing the triumphant grin on Techno’s face, and realized whatever answer he gave, someone other than him would take it as a victory. “What stupid plan do you have for Q-Qua—For Las Nevadas?”

Techno and Niki exchanged glances. Techno placed a mug on the table next to Dream and then leaned against the bookshelf. Items on the shelf wobbled slightly.

“I’m not sure yet,” he said, groaning. “But I’m thinkin’ we ought to wake up the old man.”

Chapter Text

Techno paced back and forth, opening a chest only to close it immediately and open another one, repeating the process a few times. With a sigh, he stopped. He could feel the eyes on him – Phil amused, having experienced this plenty of times, Niki confused, and Dream somewhere between annoyed and annoyed – and was starting to regret suggesting a plan. It would’ve been much easier to go find Quackity and handle the matter himself.

Except Phil would never allow that, not after what happened, and Techno couldn’t blame him; if the situation had been reversed, he would’ve felt the same way.

“Alright,” he said, finally, clapping his hands together. Dream flinched, ears flat, and Techno made a mental note to apologize later. “I’ve got enough TNT to level a small country and enough wither skulls to make a lastin’ impression on anyone who gets in the way.”

“And I talked to Punz,” said Phil, uncrossing his arms, feeling his jacket for his communicator. “According to them, Las Nevadas has no outward defense. Should be easy enough to get in, the big question is what’s our target?”

“Well, I suppose the casino,” Niki offered, slowly. “Or, isn’t there the needle?”

“Heh!? What the heck is the needle?”

Niki started to speak, stopped, and then gestured with her hand upwards, above her head.

“It’s this very tall building. I’ve only seen it once, from a distance, but it’s very noticeable.”

“That might be a good place to start.” Phil leaned forward slightly. “Smaller base, if you concentrate the TNT, you’d could bring it down.”

Humming to himself, Techno considered it. What he wanted to do was level the entire thing to bedrock, to make certain it could never be rebuilt. He wanted revenge, for himself and for Dream, and on a more pragmatic side, Techno couldn’t say he agreed with the ethics of a casino. But that might not be realistic and trying to do so might put more of his friends in danger.

He sighed.

“True, true. I’ll be the distraction. Phil, you and Niki can be the demolition team.”

“Sounds good, mate. I—”

“What am I going to do?” Dream asked, words clipped, forced, and he snapped his mouth shut audibly once he finished speaking.  

“You’re gonna be right here, man, safe,” said Techno. “Don’t you worry.”

Dream stomped his foot.

“What? No, I—I have to go. I have to.”

A frown settled on Techno’s face and he took a few steps towards Dream, hand hovering near his shoulder.

“Do you want to go, Dream? I mean, you’re not really in any kinda shape for it.”

The comment made Dream flinch and Techno felt guilt settle in his stomach because he knew that Dream was thinking the same thing he was; in his condition, Dream wasn’t up for it and the reason he wasn’t happened to lie in Las Nevadas.

“Well, I mean—I mean, I should go,” he said.

“Jesus Christ.” Everyone turned to look at Phil. “What do you want? Forget whatever damn stupid thing you think you should be doing and say what you want to do, kid.”

Dream’s ears swiveled forward and his nose twitched furiously.

“I’m not a kid.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”

Niki laughed then covered her mouth immediately, trying to stifle the sound.

“Really, Dream? That’s your takeaway there, man?”

The only response from Dream was a half-hearted wave of his middle finger.

“I’m serious, man. Do you really want to go?”

“…no,” said Dream, voice quiet, the shake of his head barely perceptible. He kept his eyes glued to the floor as if he thought he could burn a hole through the wood and not have to deal with this situation.

Techno didn’t blame him. Reaching out, he squeezed Dream’s shoulder.

“Alright, then you just stay here and let the professionals handle this,” he said.

One of Dream’s eyebrows shot up and he signed, “Professionals? Seriously?”

“Y’know what, Dream? Shut up.”

Dream had dozed off in the chair. It looked wildly uncomfortable, even with the extra pillow and blanket that Techno had tucked around him, taking care not to wake him up. Occasionally he twitched in his sleep and Techno wouldn’t have been that surprised to learn he was faking, if only to avoid having to talk to anyone else.

Again, not that Techno blamed him. Maybe he had just taken the ‘shut up’ to heart.

“We can’t just leave him here alone, mate,” said Phil, nodding towards Dream.

With a groan, Techno rubbed a hand over his face, knocking his glasses askew. He took a moment to clean them on his shirt before putting them back on, balanced on his snout.

“I know, Phil, I know. I’m guessin’ this isn’t you volunteerin’ to babysit again, is it?”

Phil snorted.

“Nope. I honestly wouldn’t mind but there’s no way in hell I’m letting you go confront that bastard Quackity without me.”

“We could ask Punz.” Techno tapped his chin. “Dream trusts them but he’s also probably the best fighter we have after myself, of course.” Another short pause. “No offense.”

Shaking his head, Phil waved a hand dismissively. 

“None taken, mate. Punz has been doing all the recon, they know Las Nevadas better than anyone. We need them,” he said.

“I’ll ask Ranboo. I’d rather them not get involved. I mean, they got a baby, Phil. I don’t want them mixed up in this anymore than needed.”

“Sounds good. How’s he going to take it?”

Techno looked over at Dream. Beneath his eyelids, his eyes were moving quickly and his face was scrunched up. After a moment, it passed, whatever nightmare that was plaguing him fading.

“Oh, he’s probably gonna be annoyed as heck and argue about it,” he said with a shrug. “So, typical Dream.”

Phil gave a bark of laughter.

The reaction from Dream was immediate: he jerked awake, scrambling in the chair, and then hitting the ground as he lost purchase on the wood. The blanket tangled around the rabbit awkwardly as he tried to run, eyes wide and bulging.

“Dang it,” muttered Techno as he moved to scoop the rabbit up before he could hide beneath the bookshelf or, worse, hurt himself.

“Ah, damn, I did not mean to scare him that bad.”

“It’s alright, Phil. He’s just a bit jumpy.”

That was understatement and as if to prove the point, Dream bit Techno’s hand. Techno didn’t flinch. He smoothed his other hand over Dream’s ragged ears.

“This throws a wrench in the plan,” Phil said. “Or we just let Ranboo bunny sit?”

Dream sneezed.

“Ah, I’m thinkin’ we give him a little time.” Still holding onto the rabbit, Techno bent to pick up the blanket and settled into the chair. “Honestly, I could use a bit of a rest myself. Y’know, before we go committing minor terrorism again.”

Phil laughed but this time quieter, holding back.

“Fair enough. I’m going to make a cup of tea, you want one?”

“That sounds good, Phil. That sounds good.” In his lap, Dream pressed himself as flat as possible. Techno could feel his heart beating erratically. “How about you make an extra, just in case.”

A soft, fond smile crossed Phil’s face.

“You got it, mate.”

Chapter Text

It was Techno’s turn to fall asleep in the chair though he did it with the grace of someone who had fallen asleep in plenty of worse places and just generally liked sleeping, regardless of the where, when, or how of it. Next to him, the cup was empty and on the floor, curled up in the basket was Dream.

Phil had been watching him and Dream had kept one eye open the entire time, at first tense and shaking but now relaxed, breathing even. Then Dream stretched one paw out of the basket, eye still on Phil. When nothing happened besides Phil raising an eyebrow, Dream put his other paw onto the floor.

“You going somewhere, mate?” he asked, voice low as to not wake Techno.

Dream stopped, ears twitching, and stared at Phil.

“Right, you can’t answer like this. Well, go on with it,” he said.

With a shake, Dream hopped out of the basket, slipping a little before he regained his balance, and then disappeared into the other room. Phil considered following after him to make sure he was alright but there was no way that would end well; best to give him some space.

Phil waited.

He waited long enough that worried had bubbled up and he was already half out of the chair when a thud and the sound of wood scraping against wood. Biting back the urge to call out, Phil stood and poked his head around into the kitchen.

Dream was sitting on one of the chairs, pale and sweating. The borrowed shirt he was wearing was inside out.

“How are you doing there?”

Looking up, Dream shrugged. His gaze was intense and Phil hated that he was uncomfortable beneath it. It was the sort of uncomfortableness that came from a change in opinion that Phil hadn’t quite come to terms with yet. He moved to lean on the counter near Dream.

“Yeah,” he said. “Well, good to see you’re—you. Anything I can do?”

The movement of Dream’s head made Phil think he was going to say no. It would track with everything that he knew of him. Dream flicked an ear.

“The—The tea went cold.”

Phil blinked and straightened.

“Do you want me to make some more?”

He had been the one to bring up the tea but despite that, Dream looked surprised at the offer. Shifting on the chair, he scratched at his leg.

“I mean—You don’t have—”

Phil waved his hand.

“I’m making you the damn tea.” He grabbed the kettle and filled it, muttering under his breath about how many stubborn idiots he was surrounded by. Lighting the stove, he placed the kettle down before turning to Dream. “Anything else you want? Maybe some food?”

Tilting his head, Dream swallowed, glancing around, eyes sliding over Phil without lingering. He twisted his hands together.  

“Could you bring me a book?”

A dozen questions ran through Phil’s head before he settled on the most important one: what would Techno do? The answer was clear. He sighed.

“Do need some ink and a quill, too, or are you planning on eating it?”

“What!?” Dream’s voice cracked. “I’m not going—I’m not going to eat it.”

“I’ll get you the ink and quill then,” said Phil.

In the other room, Techno was still asleep, snoring lightly, and Phil was careful to be quiet as he dug around the chests to find what he was looking for. When he returned, Dream straightened, wiping at his face and schooling his expression into something close to apathetic. Phil pretended not to notice and set the book, inkwell, and quill down on the table in front of him.

Dream turned to face the table, the leg missing a foot hanging down awkwardly.

The kettle began a low whistle and Phil hovered his hand over it, snatching it off the stove the moment it was ready.

“You want cream and sugar?” Phil asked.

Looking up from the book, Dream stared at him silently. He blinked, nose twitching.

“You’re getting cream and sugar.”

Phil set the mug down on the table and then took a seat. As much as he wanted to ask questions, needle Dream about his plans, about why, but he was beginning to think that it didn’t matter, not anymore. His hands were shaking as he tried to write, the missing finger making it harder. Even from a distance it was clear he was clenching his jaw.

Pulling out his handkerchief from his pocket, Phil folded it until was small, thick rectangle.

“Lift your hand, the one you’re writing with,” he said.

He had expected Dream to argue but there was nothing other than a blank expression and a compliance with Phil’s words that left a heavy feeling in his stomach. He placed the folded cloth beneath Dream’s wrist.

“See how that works.”

Dream didn’t answer but after a moment he began writing again, brow furrowed, only pausing to take a few sips of the tea. Phil had to resist the urge to crane his neck to see what he was writing. It wasn’t until Dream set the quill down and took another small sip that Phil spoke.

“Are you going to share with the class?”

Dream slid the book across to Phil.

“It’s—” His mouth worked like he had tasted something sour. “The revive book. You put blood on the runes and burn it. Fire or lava or whatever.”

A lot of things lately had taken Phil by surprise but he doubted anything could top this. He didn’t reach out to take the book.

“Fuck. You’re giving this to me and not Techno?”

Glancing towards the other room, Dream shrugged.

“Well, to be fair, Techno’s probably going to do something stupid so if you have it…” He trailed off, point made. “And Punz—Punz already knows.”

“I can’t even argue that,” said Phil, an undercurrent of laughter in the words as he reached for the book. It was short lived; the thought that had been hovering at the edge of his mind pushed forward. He pulled his hand back. “But this is what they tortured you for, right, mate? You’re just fucking giving it to me?”

“You didn’t torture me.”

The response felt so absurd that Phil didn’t know what to say.

“I mean, if—If you don’t want it…”

“I’ll take the damn book,” said Phil, grabbing it, flipping it open to examine the runes. They were painstakingly written. “But for the record, not torturing you is the fucking bare minimum.”

“Tell that to them,” Dream said and his voice was quiet, angry and hurt, and his hands shook worse than normal as he wrapped them around the mug. The blank look had returned, eyes unfocused.

Anything Phil could say would sound hollow so he said nothing, knowing that soon enough he would be able to make that point to Sam and Quackity and that was enough for him. He hoped it would be enough for Dream.

“Hey, man, can I sit?”

Techno stood by the kitchen table, arms straight at his side, doing the best not to fidget. Dream stopped staring into the half empty cup of tea and finally looked up. His expression was incredulous.

“It’s literally your house,” he signed, the ‘you idiot’ heavily implied.

“Look, I know, Dream, I know, but I’m tryin’ to be polite,” he said as he sat down in the chair Phil had occupied earlier. “You might want to try it sometime.”

“No.”

Techno snorted. Dream looked exhausted, haunted, and the numerous scars made him look broken down, but he was still cracking jokes. There was a flutter of hope in Techno’s chest that one day his friend would be back. For now, however, he had to break some bad news.

“Y’know, I don’t know what I expected.” He pulled the chair forward, leaning on the table. “Alright, so we’re gonna be leavin’ soon. Ranboo’s on their way over. You’re gonna stay with him.”

“I know,” said Dream. The annoyance was thick in his voice. “I heard you.”

Techno laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck, and immediately deciding to deflect.  

“Haaa, so you were pretendin’ to be asleep.”

“No.” Dream shifted in his seat, rolling his eyes, remaining foot thumping against the floor. “You were just, like, loud.”

“Alright, alright. I was just makin’ sure you’re okay with that,” Techno said, waving a hand.

“I’m—I’m not but like, it doesn’t matter.”

“I mean, it does, Dream, but I just want you to be safe, man.” Reaching out, Techno placed his hand on Dream’s arm squeezed. “You stay here and we’ll take care of the rest, okay?”

There was no answer and Techno took Dream’s hand, wrapping his fingers around it and giving it a slight shake. Dream rolled his eyes again but the corner of his mouth twitched.

“Okay, Dream?”

“Yeah, okay,” he said. “God, you’re so annoying…”

“And you’re so sweet, Dream.”

A knock on the door sounded from the other room and Techno gave Dream’s hand one final squeeze before he got to his feet.

“Time to go bring down another empire.”

Chapter Text

Dream’s ears were straight up, turning ever so slightly towards the corner of the room where Techno and Punz were whispering. Even without hearing what they were saying, Dream would’ve known: Punz’s expression and the way he kept glancing towards Dream gave it away. After a moment, they nodded at Techno before walking to where he sat.

Crossing his arms, Dream looked away.

“Hey, man. I guess you already know the plan,” said Punz, touching Dream on the shoulder lightly. When Dream didn’t pull away, they gave him a pat. “How’re you feeling about that?”

A feeling of frustration and anger boiled up into Dream’s chest, not directed at Punz or anyone else but the situation.

“Can—Can everyone stop fucking asking me how I feel about the plan and just do it already! F-fuck!” The outburst was loud and everyone in the room turned to look at him. Dream’s cheeks went bright red but he couldn’t stop the words rushing out. “I mean—I was—I was tortured and this is more fucking annoying!”

Techno saw the expressions on the faces of both Niki and Punz and knew the whole thing was on the edge of going downhill very quickly. He clapped his hands together.

“Welp, you heard the man! We’re basically torturin’ him with all this talkin’,” he said. At the sound, Dream had flinched but the look he turned on Techno now was grateful and Techno smiled, nodding slightly. “Are you tellin’ me I’m the first one ready for once?”

“Oh, I’m ready!” Ranboo offered and almost immediately deflated. “Because I’m, you know, not going anywhere. I’m just… staying right here…”

“Don’t sound so excited,” muttered Dream, remaining foot tapping against the floor.

Punz snorted. The corner of Dream’s mouth twitched upwards, smile lasting for a fraction of a second.

“It’s very important work, okay, Ranboo?” Techno gripped their shoulder and gave them a little shake. He could feel the nervous tension in the air and in his chest; standing around, getting nothing done was not helping. He turned towards Phil and Niki. “Alright, let’s get goin’.”

Dream twisted his hands together, entire body tight as he watched the group head to the door, leaning forward as if he was about to leap out of the chair.

“Don’t worry,” said Punz, resting their hand on Dream’s arm for a moment. “We’ll be back, promise.”

“Yeah, don’t worry, Dream. We’ll all be back in one piece to annoy before you can even miss us,” Techno agreed.

Looking at Phil, Dream let out the breath he had been holding.

“Yeah, I know.”

It was dead silent except for the crunch of dirt and sand beneath Techno’s hooves and the heavy boots of the others. There was snow in the air, white flecks that felt out of place with the desert in the distance. Techno shivered as they crouched, looking over the landscape. He was used to the cold; the discomfort came from how unnatural everything around them felt, not just the desert but the neon sign and the buildings.

“No perimeter, just like I said.”

Techno looked over at Punz.

“I never doubted ya for a second,” he said, lying. Potions clinked together on his belt as he stood. “Alright, time to split up, gang!”

The words were supposed to be light-hearted but anxiety had crept into them and Techno swallowed. Next to him, Phil put his hand on Techno’s arm.

“Don’t worry mate, Niki and I will be fine.” Phil glanced at Niki and she nodded. “Just get out there and make a whole damn lot of noise.”

“That I can do,” said Techno. “Just be careful, alright? Both of you.”

Niki smiled.

“We will, Techno.”

The pair turned away and Techno watched them until they disappeared over the ridge, around the outskirts of Las Nevadas. He took a deep breath and pulled one of the potions off his belt, thumbing the cork off and letting it fall to the ground before kicking it away.

“They’ll be alright.”

Techno looked at Punz and blinked.

“Pfft, I know, I wasn’t worried or anythin’,” he said.

“Oh, yeah, of course.”

Downing the potion in one go, Techno dropped it in the sand. Already snow was beginning to stick to the ground. Immediately Punz followed suit, slipping his own potion from out of the white sleeve of their jacket.

“So, is all that TNT burnin’ a hole in your pocket?” asked Techno, hand on the shaft of his sword.

The smile on Punz’s face was tight and grim.

“Just taking down the needle isn’t enough, you know that,” they said.

“Oh, I know, Punz. I know. That’s why I didn’t stop you from stealin’ from me.”

“I was going to pay you back.”

Techno started forward, tightening his grip on his sword, sand shifting beneath his hooves.  

“If this goes right, consider us even, man,” he said.

“Deal.”

Coming to a stop, the flashing Las Nevadas sign loomed over Techno. He could tell Punz that they were being foolish, going off plan just to put a further dent into Quackity’s empire, that their plan was enough, but it would feel like a platitude. Instead, he nodded at Punz as they disappeared into the shadows. Techno gritted his teeth. The casino was ahead and he was ready.

The awkwardness in the room was palpable.

It seeped into every corner of the cabin, heavy and unmistakable. Ranboo kept looking around, trying not to let their gaze linger in one place for too long, occasionally tugging at the collar of his suit, wishing that this moment would end.

Dream was having the time of his life.

Lately, it had always been him sitting in the room, uncomfortably, surrounded by people who didn’t know how to talk to him or even what to think about him. It had been him shrinking under the looks of pity or confusion. And now Ranboo was feeling a fraction of that and Dream couldn’t help the satisfaction that settled in his chest.

He tapped his foot against the floor.

The sound made one of Ranboo’s ears twitch and they looked over at Dream.

He grinned, chipped front tooth visible.

Ranboo frowned.

“Are you, like, doing this on purpose?” they asked.

“Doing what?”

Ranboo gestured vaguely around the room.

“I mean, just… everything. You’ve been staring at me the entire time.”

Dream looked away finally.

“I don’t—I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

A sharp bark of laughter escaped Ranboo.

“Oh sure, sure. No idea at all, nope. Not at all.”

“Well, I guess we’re on the same page.”

Flicking their tongue out, Ranboo swiped it over their eyes, glancing around.

“Are we on the same page?” they asked. Despite what Punz had said, things could have changed, the plan could have changed. What Dream wanted to do going forward was anyone's guess and he hadn't seemed certain of it himself the last time they spoke. And so Ranboo had to ask.

Dream sighed, a shaky, angry thing that slithered up like a vine in his throat. He was tired. Of hurting, of feelings he didn’t want, of questions he couldn’t answer.

It was easier, before, a voice said, when you weren’t this. We can go back.

It was and the thought was tempting.

Yeah, but then Techno’ll be really annoying about it, Dream thought.

Dream gave a nod.

“I mean—I’m not—I’m not going to do anything but yeah. We are.”

The relief that washed over Ranboo was noticeable.

“Okay, okay, that’s good. That’s really, really good.”

A sneer pulled at the corner of Dream’s mouth.

“So, you don’t have to feel bad about helping me. You didn’t do anything wrong, even back then.” The words tumbled out before Dream could stop them and Dream hated it. Shame made his cheeks red. Ranboo had said it would feel like a cop out but Dream saw how heavily it weighed on them. “If—If that’s what you’re worried about.”

Ranboo opened their mouth to deny it but couldn’t. That thought had been circling their mind ever since he realized that they worked with Dream. Knowing that but not the details had been eating at them. It had lessened, oddly, now because they looked at Dream and felt sympathy but it was still there.

“Yeah,” they admitted. “Yeah, I was.”

Looking around as if afraid of being over heard, Ranboo leaned forward and lowered their voice.

“What, uh, about the prison? The TNT? You know what I’m talking about, right?”

That fuzzy feeling, like wool stuffed in his head whenever he tried to remember things, was back and Dream frowned. He remembered TNT and a chest and—Dream rubbed his temple. When he looked up, concern was painted on Ranboo’s face.

“I’m—It’s fine, it’s just hard to remember,” he said. “It was because of Tommy.”

The name tasted sour in Dream’s mouth and Ranboo cringed slightly.

“Yeaaaah… It was. Uh, why did you want him stuck in there with you?”

Dream’s ears swiveled forward immediately.

“What? No! That was—That was to get him out only Sam is a fucking idiot and broke protocol. I remember that.”

“Oh.”

“Like I’d want to be stuck with him,” muttered Dream, slouching in the chair.

Ranboo grinned.

“Was it worse than the torture?” As soon as they spoke a look of horror crossed their face. “Oh, that was—That was a bad joke.”

“Heh. It’s—It’s true though.”

It wasn’t. They both knew it was a lie. Dream was broken in more ways than one and he would never be the same and the only way he could keep going was to pretend the lie was true. Something about that felt worse than all the rest but Ranboo didn’t know what else to do but let the lie stand. They smiled.

“Boy, it sure is taking them awhile…” They glanced at the door. “I should check on Michael.”

Dream followed their gaze. The door was barred.

“Why didn’t—Why didn’t you bring him?”

“Uh, well, I thought you’d rather not have him around.”

“I don’t mind.”

If Ranboo could blink, they would’ve blinked in surprised. They dragged their tongue across one eye.

“Oh. Well, would it be okay if I go get him? Real quick?”

Dream was already regretting his words and he hadn’t even spoken. He sighed.

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

Getting to their feet, Ranboo crossed to the door in two strides and lifted the wooden plank. They looked over their shoulder towards Dream as they ducked down to fit through the doorway.

“I’ll be right back,” they said. “Just, uh, lock the door. You know, just in case.”

“I will.”

The light from the beacon colored the snow purple. It wasn’t far from Techno’s cabin to Ranboo’s house and they had walked back and forth dozens of times. It was familiar but tonight it felt oppressive, as if it stretched on forever no matter how quickly they were walking.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” he said to the snowy tundra. “This is such a stupid idea.”

The situation hadn’t allowed for a good idea, not really. Leaving Michael, asleep in his bed, had seemed like the best option at the time. But the longer time dragged on, the more Ranboo couldn’t stop the pit from gnawing in their stomach over it.

And now they were worried about leaving Dream alone. They probably could have convinced him to come along – Dream seemed to be oddly agreeable lately, even if his attitude was anything but – except making a man who just lost his foot walk through the snow didn’t sit well with him.

“Almost there.”

By the time Ranboo reached their home, they were practically jogging.

They pulled the door open and paused.

Something was off.

Ranboo moved through the mismatched home to Michael’s room, pulling the gate open. There was a lump in the bed and Ranboo sighed as he moved to the bed.

“Hey, buddy—”

The bed was empty, save for the blanket and stuffed fox.

“Hello, Ranboo,” said Sam. “It’s been a long time. We need to talk.”

Chapter Text

The desert felt suffocating.

The space was wide open and Niki could feel the cold breeze on her checks but it still felt off, as if she couldn’t breathe. It reminded her of her city, before she had brought in flowers and lights and turned it into a real home, back when it might as well have been a coffin.

She shivered and kept low to the ground as she moved towards the Needle. Phil followed close behind her, face serious. The lights were on, illuminating the Needle, but it felt dead. She crouched down and watched. There was no movement. Her fingers were beginning to go numb. Flexing them, Niki moved closer. Phil cleared his throat quietly and she turned her head towards him.

He nodded.

There was still nothing; it was time.

Niki gritted her teeth, took a deep, and darted across the open area towards the base of the Needle. Phil was silent next to her. As quickly as they could, they began pulling out bundles of TNT and redstone from their packs. She tied the TNT bundles to structure as Phil wired them. When she was done securing the third bundle, the ground rumbled slightly. Phil frowned, glancing at her, and hurried to unwind the redstone string before moving onto the next.

Somewhere in the distance, a high pitched alarm began to sound.

Phil lifted his head.

“Sounds like someone is in position.”

Niki smiled.

“Oh, Techno.”

Connecting the redstone string to the controller and flipping the switch to prime it, Phil handed it to Niki.

“Give me about ninety seconds before you light this bitch up,” he said, wings ruffling as he stood, the sand shifting under his feet.

“Be careful.”

Phil looked back over his shoulder with a smile.

“Oh, don’t worry about me.”

The voices in his head were so loud he couldn’t hear himself think, all giving voice to the same anxious feeling that was stuck in his chest. Techno had been in a lot of places, a good many of them not great, and none of them had given him such a deep sense of unease.

Music played faintly in the background of the casino, the artificial light casting a strange glow over the interior. Everything felt wrong, designed to be pleasing in the fakest way, and Techno’s mouth was dry. He took another step further into the casino and suddenly the music cut off, replaced by the loud blaring of an alarm. Even as Techno winced at the sound, he felt some of the tension slip from his shoulders. This was more familiar, something he could handle.

He drew his sword.

“Is this how you greet all your guests?” he called out, eyes scanning the room. “I gotta say, I’m not feelin' very valued as a customer.”

Somewhere in the casino, a door opened. Ahead of him. That was good. As far as Techno could see, his retreat was wide open. He tightened the grip on his sword as the alarm abruptly cut off. The music had stopped as well. He could hear footsteps.

Quackity emerged from behind a row of slot machines.

His typical saunter was stiff and awkward, sweat beading on his forehead. The smile he gave when he finally looked at Techno was forced, no hint of the feigned friendliness it usually carried. Techno could practically smell the fear and anger on him.

“What are you doing here, Techno?”

“Really, man? Not even a ‘hullo, how are you doin’, Techno’?”

Techno’s gaze dropped to the axe Quackity was holding. It looked out of place. Dangerous. Techno could take him in a fight; he had done it before with less motivation and even less gear, but he looked at Quackity and could only see him, in the cell, holding shears with Techno’s blood on them. He wondered how Dream had done it, willingly turning himself back over. Something warm settled in Techno’s chest.

“Yeah, I’m not really in the mood for small talk,” said Quackity. “You understand.”

“Oh, sure, sure. Now that the shoe’s on the other foot, it’s not a whole lot of fun when someone shows up to your place unannounced, huh?”

Wry amusement crossed Quackity’s face briefly before he could push it away. His smile turned cruel.

“Speaking of the other foot, how’s Dream doing? Oh, wait, I have his other foot.”

Quackity gestured to his belt.

Knowing what he would see, Techno looked down. A tan colored rabbit’s foot hung off Quackity’s belt, blood still matted in the fur. He could smell the old blood, the same scent as he had smelled that first day. Anger boiled in Techno’s chest, the edges of his vision tinted red. The foot was small, rabbit-sized, and for some reason that made him even angrier.

He couldn’t have even fought back if he wanted to.

“Are you proud of that?” Techno asked and his voice was cold and even and sharp.

The smile on Quackity’s face disappeared.

“Yeah. Yeah, maybe I am,” he said. “C’mon, Techno, don’t tell me the helpless bunny act won you over. Were you that attached to your little pet? I can give you the foot back, it won’t do any good but if you want…”

The anger turned steely, Techno could feel it in his veins, in the quiet din of the voices.

“Y’know, Quackity,” said Techno slowly, “I don’t think I like the way you treat people or animals.”

“He deserved everything he got, for all the shit he did, he deserved it, I just gave him a reminder. He’ll never forget, will he?”

A shiver ran up Techno’s spine as the image of an anvil hanging in the air came into his head, scalp tingling where the gold tinted scars still lingered, his own reminder. The desire to ask Quackity if he thought Techno had deserved that execution as well trailed behind the image but he already knew the answer.

“I’m gonna be honest…” Techno’s eyes flicked to the scar on Quackity’s face and he raised his sword. It wasn’t a pickaxe, but it would do. “I think the person that needs another reminder is you.”

There was no obvious change to Quackity’s expression except the paling of his face and the tensing of his shoulders as he readied his own weapon. It was always going to end up this way and they both knew it.

“This won’t be like last time, Techno,” he said and lunged forward.

Techno was slow to react – something about the flash of metal and the grim look on Quackity’s face reminded him of the cell and the shears and his mouth was so dry – but he met the axe with his sword, pushing it and Quackity back.

“You keep tellin’ yourself that,” said Techno, wishing he had come up with something a little more witty.

“Everything we’ve tried to do, you’ve ruined, every fucking thing,” Quackity spat, aiming another blow at Techno, metal hitting metal. “You just can’t keep your nose out of it, can you?”

The tip of Techno’s sword scraped the floor as he forced Quackity’s axe down, taking a step forward.

“I dunno, Quackity, have you considered not torturin’ people? Or maybe not startin’ empires?”

Quackity’s axe bounced off Techno’s armor hard enough to make him wince but it opened up Quackity’s defense and he moved forward, sword poised to strike. The ground beneath Techno’s feet shook. The sword sliced into Quackity’s side as they both stumbled, the aftershock of the explosion hitting the casino. Immediately, Techno moved back.

You’ve gotta get it together, man, he thought.

Any façade of control was gone from Quackity as he looked around frantically.

“What the hell was that?”

“That, mate, was your Needle being blown the fuck up.”

Techno smiled. That remanent of fear, both his own and Dream’s, that had settled at the base of his spine had lifted.

“Hullo, Phil, perfect timin’.”

All the satisfaction Dream had felt at getting under Ranboo’s skin vanished as soon as they left, leaving him sitting alone with a sour feeling of regret in the pit of his stomach. He knew why Ranboo had been asking the same questions, had felt prickly about it, and had been annoying him on purpose. And he knew that the reason Ranboo had decided to go check on Michael was because the air in the cabin had become awkward and heavy.

Dream shifted in the chair, the metal blade foot scraping against the floor.

Hell, he knew that part of the reason the ‘plan’ had been so disjointed was because everyone was too busy trying to dance around him. It wasn’t his fault or theirs; people didn’t know what to do when someone was so badly hurt.

It was easier with animals.

You could make it easier, that voice came. Rabbits don’t have plans, they can’t complicated things.

Shut up, Dream thought, I’m sick of talking to myself.

But everything could be how it used to be if—

“Shh,” he said to the empty room.

He leaned forward, ears pointed towards the door, nose moving quickly. There were footsteps in the snow, approaching the cabin, and that would’ve made sense – Ranboo should be on their way back by now – but the footsteps were too heavy and Dream could’ve sworn he heard faint crying. 

For a moment, panic shot through him. He’d know those footsteps anywhere, know the feeling that came with hearing them on obsidian. In the prison, the fear had come with a sense of relief because whatever Sam did to him, it wasn’t as bad as torture, right?

Now it was all fear and he wanted to hide in the corner and keep his head down because then maybe it would be alright.

Dream got to his feet, the prosthetic foot throwing him off-balance slightly. He had seen Techno dig around the cluster of chests and barrels enough to know there was a spare axe in the cabin. The part of his brain that ran on instinct had made a note of that. He knew that but didn’t know what Techno’s favorite color was. Guilt crept up as he pulled the axe out of the chest.

If I get out of this alive, I’ll ask him.

The axe was heavy and Dream wasn’t sure he could lift it, let alone swing it.

A loud knock sounded. Dream jumped slightly even though he had been expecting it. The crying was louder now, clearer. 

“Open the door, Dream,” called Sam. “Now.”

He moved without thinking, lifting the bar that kept the door locked before immediately moving back.

The door swung open. Sam’s frame filled the entire doorway. In front of him was Ranboo, holding Michael in their arms, the tip of Sam’s sword pressed against Ranboo’s neck. The main room of the cabin felt crowded and Dream took another step backwards.

“You’ve really made things difficult, haven’t you, prisoner?”

Dream licked his lips, avoiding looking at Ranboo.  

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Put the axe down, surrender, and I’ll let them go.”

Michael had peeked his head up from where he had pressed it against his dad’s chest at the sound of Dream’s voice, something familiar in all this fear. Dream looked towards him then back to Sam.

“What—What do you think you’re accomplishing here, Sam? Huh? I mean—”

“You’re the prisoner,” said Sam, sharply, cutting him off. “I’m bringing you back where you belong.”

Dream rested the blade of his borrowed axe against the floor, spinning it slightly.

“Okay, but—Say I do surrender, say you take me back to that cell—”

“Dream…”

Ranboo’s voice was quiet, pleading, but Dream ignored them.

“Say that happens, then what, Sam? You let Quackity torture me again? Sure, okay, you—you can say I deserve it.” His voice cracked. “But what happens when people find out you took Ranboo and their kid hostage? I mean, a baby, Sam?” 

A flash of confusion crossed Sam’s face; that thought had never occurred to him.

“I’m doing my job, Dream,” he hissed, “and if you come with me, nothing will happen to them.”

Dream laughed, a trembling thing. He was sweating and his leg hurt.

“Your job? Don’t—Don’t make me laugh. You’re threatening two innocent people, Sam.”

The sword moved ever so closer to Ranboo’s neck, Sam’s eyes flashing in anger.

“Because of you, prisoner. This is all your fault.”

Part of Dream believed him. If it wasn’t for him, none of this would be happening. Part of Dream didn’t want to care. But he did and he was starting to hate that fact a little less.

“It’s my fault? Was it my fault that you let Quackity torture me? Was—Was that doing your job? Or was it doing your job when you starved me and-and—and when you hit me?” The next words were barely a whisper. “You were the one that brought the chair in the first time, Sam.”

“Don’t turn this around on me, Dream. You know why, you know what you did to deserve that.”

Dream shrugged. He did know. It was never supposed to go that far but he had played his part and he had counted on Sam to be just and fair and that’s where it had all fallen apart.

“Yeah, okay,” he said and glanced at Ranboo. They still had that same concerned, pleading look on their face. Michael’s eyes were red from crying. “But they didn’t do anything, did they?”

There was a moment of silence and then Sam tightened his grip on Ranboo.

“They helped you. Give yourself up and I’ll let them go.”

Dream’s arms were shaking. He hadn’t gotten used to standing on one leg, even with the prosthetic foot. He couldn’t fight Sam.

“No.”

Ranboo held Michael closer.

“Dream….”

“You’re going to let innocent people die – again – for you?” asked Sam.

“No,” Dream repeated. “Because—Because you’re going to let them go, Sam. You’re going to let me and them go.”

“What? Are you crazy?”

“Well, maybe, but if you kill them, what happens? You’d be a murderer. You’d be the bad guy, Sam. Worse than me, probably. People would hate you.”

“They would understand why I had to do it,” Sam said but the certainty in his words wavered.

“Oh, I wouldn’t.” Ranboo swallowed hard. “I really wouldn’t.”

“See? One of the people you’re supposed to protect…”

“And I’ll let them go as soon as you surrender!”

“So you can go back to starving me? To—To beating me? That wasn’t part of your job, Sam. It wasn’t supposed to be like that.” The emotion that Dream had been struggling to keep down seeped into his voice. “I trusted you, Sam, and look what you did to me.”

“Quackity—”

“You let him! What piece of me are you going to let him cut off next?”

This time the silence stretched out even longer and Dream was the one to break it.

“Sam, please. Let them go. Let me go. You—You can leave and you won’t be the bad guy and no one else will hate you.”

“No one else?”

It wasn’t the question Dream had been expecting Sam to ask but it wasn’t one that needed an answer. Dream held Sam’s gaze until the former warden looked away. He sheathed his sword.

“I was never here,” said Sam before turning on his heel, leaving the door to the cabin open, his heavy footsteps fading into the snowy night.

Dream’s head was spinning. He didn’t even notice when his knees hit the ground or that Ranboo was next to him, hand hovering near his shoulder.

“Hey, uh, you okay, man?” they asked.

Dream blinked then rubbed a hand over his face. For some reason his cheeks were wet.

“Yeah—Yeah, I’m fine.”

With a sigh, Ranboo sank to floor next to him, Michael still clinging to their shirt. Dream didn’t flinch or pull away when their shoulder pressed against his.

“Are you sure because… Phew. That was… That was a lot,” they said. “How did you know that would work?”

Dream gave a high pitched laugh.

“I didn’t! I-I had no idea it would work.”

“Oh boy.” Michael finally let go of his dad’s shirt and reached out to tug Dream’s sleeve. Absent-mindedly, Dream gave his hand a pat. Ranboo smiled. “Well, I mean! It did work so. Thanks, Dream.”

“If it didn’t, I would’ve surrendered,” he said and the words were something of a surprise to himself. Because he meant it and Dream knew there was a version of himself, that hadn’t been taken in by Techno and fed cake by Michael, that would’ve let them die. He shivered.

“Yeaaaah,” said Ranboo. “I know.”

Blinking, Dream nodded towards the door.

“We should probably shut that.”

“Right, right. You stay right here, okay, buddy?” Ranboo sat Michael down on the floor next to Dream and got to their feet. “How do you think the others are doing?”

Dream let his eyes wander up to the ceiling. There had always been a quiet anger in Techno’s voice whenever he spoke about what Quackity had done and Dream felt a sense of satisfaction in knowing that whatever happened, he was not getting off as lightly as Sam had. Ranboo took Dream’s silence for the answer it was and gave a huff of strained laughter.

“Yeah, they’re probably doing just fine,” they said, closing the door. “Just fine.”

Chapter Text

In the wake of the explosion, the main room of the casino was quiet.

Quackity looked from Techno to Phil, panic slowly fading into something more familiar, scarred mouth twisting in anger. The fear was still there and even with Phil at his side, Techno couldn’t bring himself to drop his guard. He knew Quackity. There had to be something more.

“I know you and Techno are besties, Phil, but I’m still surprised you’re so willing to protect Dream. I would’ve thought better of you,” said Quackity, taking a step back.

Techno narrowed his eyes. He was outnumbered. Retreat made sense but Techno’s earlier thought that there had to be something more, something else up Quackity’s sleeve, still clung to him like a burr to an animal’s pelt. He couldn’t shake it.

“Nice try, mate but even if I was braindead enough to think that doing it to Dream justifies torture, are you forgetting what you did to Techno? You think for one fucking second I’ll forgive that? You can’t talk”

A frown flashed across Quackity’s face and he took another step back.

It was deliberate, angled slightly to the side, taking him closer to the row of slot machines that his eyes had landed on as he glanced backwards.

“Quackity,” growled Techno, raising his sword, “stop movin’ right now or I swear to god…”

There was no need to expand on the threat. Quackity stopped.

“What do you think is going to happen here, Techno? You’re not the only one with allies,” he said. His eyes flicked back for a moment before looking at Techno with a grin. “While you’re here, tearing down what other people have built again, what do you think is happening, huh, Techno?”

Panic shot through Techno. He didn’t try to hide it.

“What the heck are you talkin’ about?”

Techno knew what Quackity was talking about; it was written in the smile on his face that was suddenly confident and full of malice. It could be a ploy to get Techno and Phil to backdown and if it was, it was working. Techno’s palms were sweating. He looked at Phil and saw his own fear mirrored on his face.

“Oh, come on, Techno. You’re not stupid. Do you think I wasn’t watching you the moment I realized you were hiding that piece of shit? You can try to destroy what I’ve built but you’re not the only one with allies.” Quackity’s smile grew. “Or something to lose, huh, Techno.”

A sudden clarity hit Techno.

He wanted to pummel Quackity into the ground for what he had done to Dream, wanted to put him at least six feet under the ground for liking what he did to Dream. Quackity deserved that and more. But Techno was standing here, in this casino intending to enact this justice, while Dream and Ranboo had been left alone. The words could be a bluff, he knew that, but Techno wasn’t sure he could take that chance. He didn’t want to take that chance.

At his side, Phil looked at him, the same realization painted across his features; they both knew what truly mattered, what was important, and it was nothing in this empty shell of a casino.

And, behind Quackity, unnoticed, Punz had slipped into the room. The corner of Techno’s mouth pulled into a grim smile.

“Y’know what, Quackity, you’ve got a point. You’re really not important enough for me to be wastin’ my time on,” Techno said.

Quackity flinched. The words cut deeper than any blow from a sword could, that much was clear. Techno felt a morbid sense of satisfaction in that.

“What the fuck are you talking about, Techno?” Quackity spat the question out. The anger was real and deep but it couldn’t hide the fear. “Did you even listen to a fucking word I said? You’re—”

The ground beneath their feet shook, a lifting and rolling motion that was followed by the sound of an explosion, close enough to shatter the nearby windows. Techno had been expecting it and still found himself struggling to keep his balance, reaching out to steady Phil on instinct.

Quackity turned, already reaching for a particular slot machine that if Techno had been paying closer attention to, he would’ve noticed something a little off about, a button on the side that didn’t seem to have a purpose and blended into the side of the slot machine a little too well.

Huh, thought Techno, ears still ringing from the explosion, wonder what that does.

The purpose of the button would always be a mystery.

Punz’s axe came within half an inch of Quackity’s face. He stumbled back and Techno stepped out of the way, letting Quackity fall to the ground on his butt, barely breaking the fall with his hands. There was no keeping his cool; Quackity’s eyes were wide with panic as he scrambled back.

Lowering his sword, Techno looked at Punz.

“You got this, man?” he asked.

Punz kept their eyes on Quackity.

“Yeah. Quackity and I are going to have a little talk about what torture does to someone.”

A part of Techno, the part of him that wanted to think the best of everyone the same way his friends had done for him, felt guilt at leaving Quackity to whatever fate Punz had in mind. He could say something, try to reign them in. But the flash of tan and white fur that hung on Quackity’s belt ended that thought, dead cold.

“C’mon, Phil,” said Techno.

There was a moment of hesitation from Phil, the same thoughts running through his mind, but the person who Quackity had hurt that Phil cared for was standing right there and Techno’s hand was still shaking even as he sheathed his sword. Phil nodded, already turning towards the exit.

“Techno!” Quackity’s voice cracked. “You can’t just leave me!”

Meeting his gaze, Techno shrugged. He could and would and both of them knew it.

“I dunno, Quackity, you said it yourself. This isn’t where I’m supposed to be.”

Even now the desert air was unnaturally still and off but Techno took a deep breath as soon as they stepped outside and then another. A mix of emotions roiled in his stomach, all contradicting each other. He couldn’t focus on that; he needed to get home and make certain his friends were okay. Techno’s hooves sank awkwardly into the sand, the only thing keeping him from breaking out into a sprint.

“He was probably just bluffing, mate,” said Phil, jogging to keep up.

Techno didn’t slow and neither did Phil.

“I know, I know, but you gotta admit, we really didn’t consider the sorts of people we’re dealin’ with as much as we should’ve,” he said.

Phil couldn’t argue that. He had been around for a very long time and seen all sorts of cruelty and obsession and he wasn’t entirely sure he had seen anything quite like this. He pulled out his communicator, slowing down just a little to type out a message.

“I’ll tell Niki what’s up, have her start heading back.”

Nodding, Techno grit his teeth and pushed on.

Ahead, the desert was coming to an end.

“Dream! Ranboo!”

Techno was drenched in sweat and out of breath, sand having managed to creep up into the hem of his pants, scratching against his skin uncomfortably. He took the stairs two at a time, skidding across the porch and jerking the door handle.

The door didn’t open.

“Heh?”

Despite the surprise, the frantic rattling of the handle, Techno immediately felt some measure of relief. If something was wrong, they wouldn’t have locked the door.

“Dream? Ranboo?” he called again, looking over his shoulder as Phil came up the stairs. Inside the cabin, he heard the sound of wood scraping against wood. His heart jumped into his throat.

And then Ranboo’s voice floated through the door.

“Coming! Oh, uh, coming!”

The door opened. Ranboo was standing there, alive and well. Their suit was even more disheveled than usual and Techno frowned, grabbing them by the shoulders and pulling them into a hug. He didn’t let go for a long time, not until Ranboo squirmed in his grip.

“Ranboo, are you alright? What’s the baby doin’ here? What happened?” asked Techno, the questions spilling out of him.

Something had happened.

The fact Dream was sitting on the floor, face pale and expression vacant, would have given it away even if it hadn’t been for Ranboo’s more messy than usual appearance or the fact Michael was clinging onto their leg. Ranboo moved back, letting Techno and Phil step into the cabin.

“Oh! Uh, yeah, that’s a funny story! Sam, uh, held me and Michael hostage for a little bit but it’s fine,” Ranboo said, reaching down to pick up Michael, as if they were afraid he’d be taken again. “It is fine. Dream… Dream actually managed to, like, talk him down.”

“What?” Disbelief was thick in Phil’s voice. “How the fuck did he do that?”

“I don’t know. I mean, he just… He just talked to him.” With their free hand, Ranboo gestured vaguely, unable to find the right way to explain what had happened. “He, uh, he could probably explain it better?”

Techno glanced at Dream. He hadn’t moved or looked up and Techno wasn’t sure he was in the state to explain much of anything. His ears were back and quivering. But the relief Techno had felt earlier had grown, spreading into warmth and affection. He didn’t know exactly what had happened, he didn’t need to know either.

It took him three steps to bring him next to Dream. Techno knelt and wrapped Dream up in a hug. He stiffened and Techno felt him grab onto his shirt, bumping his forehead against Techno’s chest hard. Techno smoothed his hand over the top of Dream’s head and caught Phil’s eye.

With a knowing smile, Phil nodded. He turned to Ranboo and Michael.

“What do you say we wait for Niki at my place? Pretty sure I’ve got some cookies she made over there,” he said.

At the mention of the word ‘cookies’, Michael gave an excited squeal.

“Yeah, uh, that sounds good,” agreed Ranboo.

Techno watched them leave. He wanted them to stay but Dream’s forehead was still pressed against his chest and he could feel him shaking.

“Alright, man, what’s goin’ on?” Techno asked, words gentle, pulling back a little. “Are you alright?”

Dream lifted his head, mouth pulled into a frown. The distant look in his eyes had fled. His expression was intent as he stared at Techno though Techno didn’t miss the uncertainty beneath it.

“What—” Dream took a deep breath. “What’s your favorite color?”

Techno looked at him as though he was crazy. He had been expecting, well, anything else. Indignation at his stupid question, asking to be left alone but not this.

“Heh!? Why the heck are you askin’ that right now?”

“I don’t know. I just—I just wanted to know,” said Dream, looking past Techno at some point over his shoulder.

There were so many questions that Techno had to ask about Sam and what had happened but he had been caught off-guard and now couldn’t remember any of them. Techno squeezed Dream’s arms gently.

“Man, I really don’t think that’s important right now,” he said.

The response came quickly.

“It is. I-I don’t know what it is.”

With a soft sigh, Techno’s shoulders dropped. Despite his initial confusion, Techno did understand why Dream was asking. Not in a way that he would’ve been able to put into words or explain to anyone else but he got it.

“It’s green,” Techno said, unable to keep the laughter out of his voice, “like you and Phil. I know, I know, don’t say a dang word.”

Dream’s laugh was breathy, torn and ragged ears swiveling forward.

“Yeah, me too.”

“Really Dream? I would’ve never guessed.”

“Shut up, Techno.”

A fond smile settled on Techno’s face.

“C’mere, man,” he said and pulled Dream into another hug, resting his cheek against the top of Dream’s head. His ear tickled Techno’s nose. “I dunno what you did with Sam, but thanks.”

Dream tensed at the word ‘thanks’ and Techno rolled his eyes, tightening his grip on Dream and patting his back.

“I mean it, alright? Thank you, Dream.” Techno cleared his throat. “And I’m sorry for leavin’ you. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“It’s—It’s fine.”

“Do you want to talk about it? I mean, ha, not that I’m worried or anything…”

Dream snorted, shaking his head, ears smacking Techno in the face.

“F-fuck no. I want to go upstairs so—so no one else asks me stupid questions,” he said.

Moving back, Techno looked Dream over, sniffing the air. The prosthetic foot was still attached and he didn’t smell fresh blood on Dream but he was sitting awkwardly.

“Yeah? D’you want me to carry you up there?”

It was Dream’s turn to roll his eyes but he rubbed a hand over his leg and sighed. He nodded.

“You got it, man,” said Techno, getting to his feet and pulling Dream up with him. It was easy enough for Techno to pick him up – he had yet to gain any weight in spite of Techno’s best efforts – and gently tossed him over his shoulder. Dream gave a small, indignant squeal. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna drop you.”

Dream didn’t answer and when Techno dumped him onto the bed, still as gently as he could, he glared at Techno before beginning to undo the straps of the prosthetic food. Watching, Techno waited to see if he would need help. His fingers were shaking but Dream managed to unfasten the buckle and set the foot to the side. He let out a deep breath, flopping down on the mattress.

With a shake of his head, Techno smiled and sat. The bed creaked beneath him.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.

Dream’s chest heaved. After a moment, he looked over at Techno.

“I thought—I thought he was going to bring me back. I thought he was going to kill Ranboo.”

There was something in the way Dream spoke that felt painful and confused, his voice small. Techno felt his own chest tighten and he reached out to pat Dream’s hand awkwardly.

He didn’t know what to say.

Dream wrapped his fingers around Techno’s.

“Did you—You went to Q—to Quackity’s.”

Techno sighed.

He shifted on the bed, knowing there was sand still stuck to his hooves and pants and it would get all over the sheets, and mimicked Dream by flopping down next to him.

“Yeah, about that,” said Techno. Dream’s grip on his hand tightened, worry and fear on his face. “Easy, man, it’s fine. Punz is takin’ care of it, I’m sure. Quackity alluded to Sam bein’ up to something here so Phil and I left. I know we were supposed to do the whole revenge and razin’ Las Nevadas to the ground thing but I just had to make sure you were alright.”

Techno was expecting to see disappointment on Dream’s face but he didn’t. His expression was thoughtful and a little sad, mouth twitching as if he wanted to smile. Then he nodded before looking around the room.

“I can’t—I can’t believe your favorite color is green,” said Dream.

It wasn’t what he had started to say, Techno knew that much, but Techno didn’t point that out. He laughed instead.

“Yeah, yeah, alright, Dream. You wanna ask me any other dumb questions?” Techno’s voice went syrupy sweet. “We could braid each other’s hair and you could ask me what my favorite animal is.”

Using his free hand, Dream gave him the middle finger.

“Fuck off, Techno.” There was a pause, a silence that was the kind of awkward that came from knowing you were about to do something embarrassing. “What is your favorite animal?”

Techno laughed.

“Actually, it’s foxes, Dream. It’s foxes.”

Chapter Text

Dream didn’t have any more dumb questions.

Techno was almost disappointed in that. A few of his own questions were bouncing around in his head. They shared a favorite color; what else did they have in common? Did Dream like potatoes before the prison? Did Dream always stomp his feet when he was frustrated? Did he feel that same sort of creeping regret that Techno did knowing they could’ve gotten these answers sooner?

A tingle had begun to creep up Techno’s arm as the circulation was slowly cut off. He flexed his fingers, trying to get some blood flowing. The easiest solution would’ve been to move, to push Dream off but he didn’t have the heart to. It had almost been instantaneous, the way Dream had fallen asleep the moment he had stopped talking, rolling over and curling up next to Techno. He was exhausted and Techno still had sand sticking to him.

Outside, he could hear voices drifting over from Phil’s cabin. Techno wanted to go over there and make sure – again – that everyone was alright. He moved his arm a little. Dream’s ear twitched and he grabbed onto Techno’s sleeve, knuckles white. Checking on everyone else could wait. With the hand that still had blood flow, Techno rubbed Dream’s back.

The sound of a door opening made him pause for a moment but Niki’s voice had become clearer and a few seconds later the door to Techno’s cabin opened and closed. Now Techno really did consider pulling his arm away, if only to save Dream’s dignity, but startling him awake probably wasn’t the right move. Techno covered him as best he could with the closest blanket and pressed his palm against his shoulder.

Niki poked her head through the opening into the bedroom, clinging onto the ladder. Techno gave her an awkward smile.

“Hi, Techno,” she whispered. “I just wanted to let you know I’m back and alright.”

Techno let out a sigh; he wondered if Phil had told her to come over, knowing that Techno would be out of his mind with worry until all his friends were safe.

“Thanks, Niki.”

Her eyes went to Dream’s ears, the most visible part of him currently.

“Is he asleep?”

“Yeah,” said Techno, trying not to smile, his voice a whisper. “He didn’t get his daily nap.”

Smiling, Niki shook her head.

“Do you want me to tell you when Punz gets back?”

“That’d be nice.”

She gave him a thumbs up before disappearing down the ladder. The door opened, the one hinge groaning, and her footsteps retreated across the bridge.

“I don’t take daily naps,” Dream hissed as soon the door to Phil’s cabin closed, the words muffled by the blanket.

Techno laughed.

“That’s what got you all worked up?” It wasn’t a question. Techno had known it would, that’s why he had said it, but he never got tired of exactly how predictable Dream was when it came to getting a rise out of him.

“Yes!” Dream finally moved, rolling back a little to glare at Techno and crushing his arm further in the process. “Like you—You don’t have room to talk! You sleep all the time and you snore!”

Still laughing, Techno lifted Dream enough to finally remove his arm and gave it a shake, flexing his fingers before dropping back onto the bed. Despite the annoyance in the words tumbling out of him, Dream hadn’t put any space between the two of them. Techno drummed his fingers against Dream’s boney shoulder.

“Wow, Dream, tell me how you really feel.”

Dream scrunched his nose.

“You suck, Techno.”

This was it. This was what Techno wanted, for Dream to fire back with the ease he had in the past. It wasn’t the same and never would be because his voice still trembled but the empty, cornered prey animal look in Dream’s eyes was gone. Techno gently butted his head against Dream’s forehead and held it there.

“Whatever you say, Dream, whatever you say.”

There was a grinding that vibrated through Techno’s skull. He was familiar with the way Dream would grind his teeth – hard and loud when he was scared or angry – and then this soft, quiet grinding that happened when Dream was… He was content, relaxed, Techno realized.

Rabbits are weird, man, he thought.

It was strange.

Dream hadn’t been scared when he heard the door open, something before that sound having pulled him out of his sleep. There had been a strong, fast thump-THUMP of his heart but that was it. He didn’t know why the rabbit part of his brain hadn’t been screaming to run. It always did, to the point that since the prison, since the escape, that voice was his voice. But it had been quiet and the only thought Dream had was to pretend to be asleep so he didn’t have to talk to Niki.

The only thought he had about that was feeling a little bad since she had been kind to him but not bad enough to even consider apologizing.

He didn’t know why.

Now the rabbit voice spoke up: yes, you do.

Dream mentally rolled his eyes.

He did know.

Techno, who still had his forehead pressed against Dream’s, hadn’t tensed at the sound of the door opening and so Dream hadn’t either. It was simple and he was making a big deal out of the whole thing, trying to twist it to fit into the box he had created for himself.

Pandora’s Vault still haunted him.

The grinding of his teeth halted and Dream sighed and shuddered. Techno pulled away finally allowing Dream to flop back.

“You alright there, man?”

“Yeah.” Dream stretched his legs out. It felt weird, wrong, to only be able to wiggle one foot and it had taken him a moment to realize that he was missing a foot in the first place. He felt sick to his stomach. Looking over at Techno, he said, “I don’t—I think I’m done.”

“With? That’s a little vague there, Dream,” said Techno. His eyebrow was quirked exaggeratedly but Dream noticed his voice had a tremor to it.

He’s worried, he thought.

“With my plan.”

Dream watched the worry turn into relief and then back into worry only this time mixed with confusion.

“Y’know, I’ve never really been clear on what exactly your plan was. I didn’t want to ask ‘cause…” Techno trailed off and waved a hand towards the ceiling. ‘Because of everything’ was implied.

Looking at the ceiling and the knots in the spruce, Dream frowned. On paper, the plan was simple, sound: have Sam build a prison that would act as a fortress then carefully and painfully sever all his ties, save for Punz and Ranboo, and turn everyone against him so when he was imprisoned, no one would be the wiser. He would be safe and the book would be safe. It would buy him time, security.

Only it had backfired and Dream had never figured out exactly what he wanted out of it.

“I thought—I thought I’d be safe with the book.” It was a gross oversimplification.

Techno was staring at him now, propped up on his elbow.

“I gotta say, I don’t really think the whole ‘safe’ thing really panned out,” he said, voice soft.

“Yeah.” Dream scrunched his face up. “Well, t-to be fair, it did keep the book safe.”

Techno reached out and put his hand on Dream’s chest. He didn’t preface it patting Dream’s hand or adjusting the blanket. There was just Techno’s hand on his chest, the weight oddly comforting.

“Not gonna lie, man, but considerin’ what they did to you, I don’t think it was worth it.”

“I still have the book,” Dream pointed out, hating the slightly desperate way the words cracked as he spoke.

His heart was pounding and he was sure that Techno noticed.

“Yeah, but like, should anyone actually have it?”

“Phil has it.” Dream was clinging to anything that would make it all worthwhile.

Techno’s fingers drummed across his chest.

“Don’t get me wrong, I really like the idea of Phil not dyin’, alright, but I’m startin’ to think no one should have a book people are willin’ to torture someone over,” said Techno.

Dream grabbed his hand, hard, forcing his fingers still. When Techno didn’t pull away or get angry, Dream loosened his grip, just a little. There had to be a way to make him understand. Whatever the book could do to the server was still unknown. People did want the book and there was no telling what they’d do with it. If he controlled the permanency of death, maybe he could make everything the way it used to be. If—

That’s it.

The thought was faint but it was his thought. It wasn’t a thought Dream wanted to linger on right now and so he scrambled for another reason.

“Okay but—But I am the book. I mean, I’ve—I’ve got it memorized, right? So, your idea is stupid, Techno. You’re stupid. I-I never gave them the book! Okay? You can’t fucking say it wasn’t worth it when I never gave Q-Qua—them the book!”

He didn’t realize he was yelling until he was sitting up, hand still wrapped around Techno’s, grip tight once more, nails digging into Techno’s flesh. It had to hurt even if Dream’s strength was no where what it had been and his fingers were shaking.

He’s going to be angry, the rabbit voice said from the corner of his mind. Run or stay still. Run or don’t move.

“Sorry,” Dream muttered, letting go of Techno’s hand and looking towards the wall where the window was. It was still dark outside. He didn’t want to run or lay down and play dead like he had so often in that cell. He’d rather deal with Techno’s anger.

“It’s alright, man,” said Techno and now he pat Dream’s leg.

A laugh bubbled up in Dream’s chest.

“You’re—You’re not mad?”

With a groan, Techno sat up. His head came half an inch from hitting the grindstone.

“Yeah, I won’t lie and say I’m not a little bit annoyed with bein’ yelled at in my own bed by my friend but juuuuust a little,” he said.

It wasn’t the first time Techno had called Dream his friend but there was an ease to the way the word slipped out now that wasn’t like he was trying to patch something that had been broken. He said it like it had always been that way. Dream scratched his ear. The scab was beginning to fall off and itched badly if he thought about it for more than a second.

“If—If I ask for the book back from Phil and something happens to him…”

Techno cut him off.

“Nothing is gonna happen to Phil,” he said firmly.

Now Dream raised an eyebrow. It was partially directed at Techno but partially at himself, surprised at the fact he actually cared about Phil’s fate. He hadn’t in the past. Things were different now. His mouth twisted.

“I guess.”

“Look, it’s up to you, alright? I’m not gonna tell you want to do.” Techno tugged at the emerald earring he wore absent-mindedly. His brows were knitted and his words were slow. “My personal opinion is as much as the whole revival book is really appealin’… They tortured you, Dream. They threatened Ranboo and his baby. That’s the kinda power I don’t think anyone should have.”

It was a lot of talking from Techno that didn’t involve teasing and Dream wasn’t sure how to respond other than a soft huff.

“Right, the—the whole anarchy thing,” he said after a moment.

“I mean, yeah, Dream.” Techno nudged him. “But it’s not just that.”

He didn’t need to ask what else it was.

“I’ll—I’ll think about it.”

The plan had fallen apart but Dream still wanted to cling to it like it was the only thing that could give what happened meaning. The plan had kept him going, kept him relatively sane. The plan, the book was what mattered except he couldn’t stop replaying the scene where Quackity admitted to enjoying the torture in his head. Techno was about to say something and if he did, Dream would never ask the question that had been stuck like a burr to his pelt.

“If I didn’t—” He licked his lips, deeply aware of Techno’s eyes on him. “If I didn’t have the book, do you think they still would’ve done it?”

Techno looked at him, at a loss for words. He shook his head helplessly.

“I dunno, man. I really don’t.” 

Anything other than a resounding ‘no’ meant ‘probably’ and that was another thing Dream thought he had known for awhile now.

“It wasn’t worth it, was it?”

Techno didn’t even try to answer. Dream had thought he might, thought there might be some platitude about how some good had come from it, but he didn’t know the answer anymore than Dream did. He took a trembling breath and said, “Yeah. I-I figured.”

And then he broke.

At first, Techno thought Dream had fainted, falling silently forward onto the bed, forehead pressed against the mattress and ears pinned flat against his skull. The choking noise made him rethink that, however, and Techno was prepared for Dream to vomit on his (relatively) clean sheets. When that didn’t happen, Techno scooped an arm under Dream and pulled him into his lap. He very carefully kept his hand away from Dream’s mouth – he didn’t want to get bit again.

Dream struggled for all of thirty seconds, knocking his head against Techno’s knee a few times, before giving up. He was sprawled awkwardly across Techno’s legs, face hidden. Techno let him cry angrily.

He almost missed the sounds of footsteps on the porch outside followed by the door to Phil’s cabin being opened. It had to be Punz returning. Everyone was accounted for. Relief washed over Techno and he smoothed Dream’s hair, waiting until it seemed as though he had calmed down to speak.

“You alright?” Techno asked again.

“No,” said Dream pitifully and honestly. His ears were upright. Techno scratched their base the way he had often scratched the base of Phil’s wings. Dream’s remaining foot twitched.

Smiling, Techno squeezed his shoulder.

“Yeah. D’you wanna go see what Punz has to say? I’m pretty sure he’s back.”

A sigh escaped Dream, mirroring Techno’s relief at the news, though Techno also suspected it was in part because the conversation was over, something that Techno absolutely related to. Dream sat up.

“Yeah, sure.” He wiped a hand over his eyes and blinked a few times. “Can—Can you hand me my foot?”

Techno laughed, laughed harder when Dream gave him a crooked grin, in on the joke.

“Of course.”

Chapter Text

Dream had never been inside Phil’s cabin before.

Vines had snaked their way inside through the windows and grew across the walls, hanging down over some of the workspaces or between the furnaces. It was hot and crowded and would’ve been hot and crowded even without the people huddled around the table. The kitchen, living space, and work areas were all one room, overflowing into each other. Pictures of Wilbur and Tommy hung on the wall and Dream felt an odd mix of shame and anger. His heart was pounding.

I shouldn’t be here, he thought. I don’t belong here.

Techno nudged his shoulder lightly, looking down at Dream with one eyebrow raised. It was only then that Dream realized, on instinct, he had wrapped his hand around Techno’s wrist.

“I’m fine,” Dream signed, right hand up, thumb touching his chest.

At the table, Punz leaned over.

“Hey, buddy,” they called as they waved in Dream’s direction.

Green slime covered Punz’s white hoodie, some sticking to their hair.

“What the heck happened to you?” asked Techno.

“It’s a long story. Quackity was up to some freaky shit.”

The mention of Quackity caused Dream to tighten his grip on Techno’s wrist, stammering for a moment before he settled on the question he wanted to ask.

“Was?”

Punz and Techno shared a glance.

“I used a lot of TNT,” Punz said.

“You used a lot of my TNT,” Techno clarified.

Punz lifted his shoulders in a shrug before picking a piece of slime off, starting to wipe it on the table and only stopping because Phil was watching. They wiped it on their pants.

“Whatever, it’s done. He’s down a life. He’s not going to be bothering us for awhile.”

Dream should have felt relief but he felt light-headed and confused and the earlier anger was still there, burrowed in his chest. Everyone in the room was looking at him. The only thing that was keeping him from turning back to the safety being a rabbit was Techno slipping his fingers around his hand and tapping a finger against his knuckles. Phil cleared his throat.

“He won’t fucking bother us ever again if he knows what’s good for him,” he said.

“Dang right.” Out of habit, Techno went to clap his hands together and jerked Dream’s arm slightly then pretended he didn’t hear Dream cussing at him under his breath. “Now, how about we move this party over to my place? No offense, Phil, but your chairs kinda suck.”

“Sounds good to me. I’d really like a grilled cheese sandwich,” said Punz, getting to their feet.

Niki straightened.

“Oh, and you do not want to use Phil’s kitchen. He has copper smelting in his oven,” she said, horrified.

“Alright you shits, out! Out!”

Phil shooed them all out of his home and onto the bridge. The night air was cold and crisp. Dream stepped to the side, hanging back, Techno had nodded at Phil and he opened the door to Techno’s cabin. When the door shut, only Dream, Techno and Punz remained. It was quiet until Dream gave a deep, shaky sigh, rubbing his free hand over his face.

“You don’t—You don’t know what he was doing?”

“I didn’t really stop to ask questions.” Punz spread their hands out in front of them. “I set TNT while Techno and Phil were distracting him. The whole thing is a crater.”

Dream pulled his hand away from Techno, leaning on the railing of the bridge. His breath came out in white puffs. He couldn’t tell if his good leg was shaking because of the cold or because he still wasn’t used to standing for long.

“And I wasn’t there for—for fucking any of it,” he said.

The look Techno gave him was soft and understanding and Dream didn’t hate it.

“Yeah, you were too busy defusin’ a hostage situation with Sam.”

On instinct, Punz put their hand on the hilt of their axe.

“I heard about that.”

Dream’s ears flicked, teeth chattering for a moment.

“Yeah, I guess but—”

Putting his arm around Dream’s shoulder, Techno rubbed his arms. Dream rolled his eyes, knowing that this was as subtle as Techno got but not wanting to actually complain. He was freezing.

“This guy,” said Techno, shaking Dream slightly. “Y’do know that you don’t have to do everything yourself? It’s called delegatin’. We talked about it.”  

“I know but—” He paused and this time the other two were silent, letting him gather his thoughts. “Are you sure Q-quackity isn’t going to—” The words stuck in his throat and Dream made a noise of frustration, thumping his foot against the wood planks. “What—What if he tries something again?”

“Not a fucking chance,” Punz said, immediately.

“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.”

Techno’s voice was uncharacteristically intense and serious.

It’s the same way he said nothing would happen to Phil, Dream thought suddenly. The night air didn’t feel as bitingly cold anymore. Dream nodded.

“Alright.”

Techno gave him a pat on the back before walking towards his home, hand hovering within reach of the door and glancing over his shoulder.

“D’you still want that grilled cheese, man?” he asked Punz and pulled the door open.

“I’d kill for one, literally.”

Techno laughed, echoed by Punz, as they both stepped inside, hovering at the entrance, waiting for Dream. He could hear the other’s voices inside. Pushing himself away from the railing, he followed after them and shut the door.

The table was covered with empty plates, most of the chairs haphazardly pulled out, and the window was cracked slightly to let the smoke out. There were two skillets in the sink. Techno was going to have a lot of dishes to do. Outside, light had crept over the horizon and turned the sky an orangey-pink. Ranboo had taken his son home and Niki had walked with him. Techno wanted to take a walk right up to bed. He stifled a yawn.

Behind him, someone cleared their throat. Punz was standing in the kitchen’s entranceway.

“What’s up, man?”

“Can I talk to you?” asked Punz. They tilted their head towards the main room of the cabin. “Just between us?”

Techno blinked a couple times and then straightened. He turned on the sink, letting the water run, splashing against the skillets as Punz approached. The noise would be enough to cover a casual conversation.

“Yeah, sure,” he said.

Punz took a deep breath. Their face was pale and oddly green tinted. When they spoke, their voice was a whisper.

“I took this from Quackity.”

They held out their hand and Techno looked down, already knowing what he would see. A small, tan rabbit’s foot on a scrap of fabric sat in Punz’s palm. A gaudy gold chain had been attached, a morbid charm. Techno looked away.

“Bruh,” was the only thing he could say at first. He took his glasses off and cleaned them with the hem of his shirt. “Good. I wanna say I can’t believe Quackity did that but…”

He trailed off. Punz nodded.

“Yeah. So, what should I do with it? Like, it’s literally a part of Dream but we can’t give it back to him, can we?”

“Absolutely not.” The sink was slowly beginning to fill up and Techno shifted one of the skillets to uncover the drain. “He doesn’t need to see that. He’s been through too dang much, already.”

“I’ll burn it,” said Punz, wrapping it back up in the piece of fabric before slipping it back into the pocket of his hoodie.

Techno turned off the water.

“Good idea.”

“I should head out.” Punz was already crossing the kitchen towards the main room, voice back at a normal level. They stopped at the door and looked at Dream. He had been dozing off in Techno’s favorite chair but was already half-standing. “I’m leaving for now.”

“Right.”

“I would walk you to the portal,” said Techno, leaning against the wall, “but I don’t wanna leave Dream here alone.”

Dream was on his feet.

“I’ll—I’ll go, too.”

Techno wanted to say no, to tell him sit back down and get some rest, but he was familiar with the determined look in Dream’s eyes and the forward set of his ears. Techno sighed.

“Alright, alright, I can’t say no to you, you’re just too dang cute,” he teased, waiting for Dream’s outburst.

“WHAT. I’m not cute!”

There it is.

Taking his cloak from the hook, Techno flung it around Dream’s shoulders.

“That sounds suspiciously like something someone who’s cute would say.”

Dream stomped his foot. He wobbled slightly but caught himself.

“Oh my god.”

“Are you two done?” asked Punz, hand on the door, one eyebrow quirked upwards.

Techno laughed.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

It wasn’t far to the portal but by the time they got there, Dream had a sheen of sweat on his face and his goodbye to Punz had been short, all his focus on keeping himself on his feet. Half-way back home and Dream was limping slightly, trying hard to hide the fact, and Techno was wishing that he had insisted that he had stayed home and had made Punz go off on their own. They wouldn’t have argued, Techno knew that much. Next to him, Dream had stopped for a moment to catch his breath. Even with the cloak, he was shivering.

“How’re you doin’ there, Dream?” Techno asked, coming to stop as well.

Dream looked liked he was about to argue. He also looked like he was about to fall over.

“Ye—No,” he admitted, shoulders dropping as he clutched the cloak to his chest. “It’s—It’s fucking cold.”

Techno tried not to laugh and failed.

“That’d be all the snow, Dream.”

Because of all the snow, Dream wasn’t able to stomp his foot but he glared at Techno.

“You’re so stupid,” he said. He flicked one ear. “Give me—Give me a piggyback ride.”

There was a beat of silence as Techno looked at him. Dream rolled his eyes, mouth quivering.

“Please.”

“Since you asked so nicely,” said Techno, crouching down.

Dream wrapped his arms around Techno’s neck. Techno hooked his arms behind Dream’s knees to make sure he wouldn’t slid off and then stood. Even wading through the snow, the extra weight was nothing. Techno barely noticed.

I’ve gotta feed him more, he thought.

“Thanks,” Dream said quietly. His nose was pressed against Techno’s neck, cold and soft. Techno could feel that grinding of his teeth that he had come to understand as a sign of contentment.

“Anything for a friend,” he said and meant it.

Techno carried Dream back to the cabin in silence, enjoying the peace of the early morning of the arctic. He knocked the snow off his hooves before stepping inside. Dream jerked awake as Techno shut the door.

“You can put me down,” he mumbled through a yawn.

His yawn made Techno yawn.

“Dream, I’m goin’ straight upstairs and to bed. Unless you gotta pee, you’re comin’ with me.”

A beat.

“I have to pee.”

Chuckling, Techno let go of Dream’s legs. He slid off Techno’s back and caught himself on the wall then hung Techno’s cloak back on the hook. The hem was wet, melting snow sticking to it in places.

“I’m assumin’ you can handle that on your own?”

“God.” Dream rolled his eyes. “Go—Go to bed, Techno.”

Techno laughed.

“Gladly, Dream, gladly,” he said but still watched as Dream walked to the kitchen. His shoulders were hunched slightly and he was still limping. Techno thought about waiting for him but that would feel too much like babying him so he climbed the ladder to his room.

The sun had risen completely and was shinning through the windows. Groaning, Techno grabbed one of the pillows from the end of the bed and shoved it in front of one of the windows. He should invest in some curtains. He had intended to, at one point, but things had gotten away from him.

That seemed to be a running theme around here.

Techno pulled off his overshirt and rolled onto the bed, laying on his back, looking up at the ceiling. Mentally, he was counting. He had gotten to a hundred and twenty-two seconds and was considering going back downstairs when he heard the sound of Dream climbing up the ladder. His tattered ears poked through and a moment later the rest of him followed.

“Your house sucks, Techno,” said Dream, chest heaving as he sat down to remove the metal blade foot. He set it carefully to the side.

Sitting up a little, Techno frowned.

“Yeah, it really wasn’t built with accessibility in mind, sorry, man.”

“It’s—It’s fine.” An awkward laugh bubbled up from Dream. “I mean, it’s not like you knew it’d happen.”

“True, true. Besides, at least I have a home.”

There was a look of resignation on Dream’s face, tempered by a smile and feigned annoyance. He tossed one of the pillows at Techno who promptly stuck it under his head.

“Fuck you, Techno.”

“Look, we’ll add a pulley system. We can use your little basket or something.”

“That’s so—that’s so stupid.”

Techno scooted over on the bed and pulled the blanket back.

“Here I am, doin’ my best to accommodate my friend and you’re callin’ it stupid,” he said with another yawn. “Y’know, when Phil was stayin’ here before he built his cabin, he never complained about the ladder or my snorin’.”

“Well…” Dream flopped down onto Techno’s stomach. Techno let out an exaggerated oof. “I’m complaining.”

Reaching out, Techno ran a hand over Dream’s ears. They were still cold and he left his hand there.

“And that’s why you’re only my second best friend.”

Techno was expecting Dream to argue or get faked offended but he was quiet for a moment, pulling the blanket up and tucking it under his chin.

“Whatever,” Dream said. “I’ll take it.”

If he hadn’t been laying down, Techno would have hugged Dream, embarrassing or not. He rubbed his thumb over Dream’s tattered ear.

“What’d I tell you, Dream? Best friends.”

Techno couldn’t see Dream’s face but when he spoke again, Techno knew he was smiling and rolling his eyes.

“Yeah, sure.”

I’ll take it, thought Techno.

Chapter Text

It was a rabbit dream.

He knew because the grass tickled his nose as he pressed against the ground. Something was wrong, he knew that, too. The grass didn’t smell like grass; it smelled like blood and stone. Above, the blue sky was darkening.

The rabbit instinct told him to hold still and maybe they wouldn’t see him.

Who? he asked, voice sounding as if it wasn’t coming from him but from somewhere below.

You know who.

The smell of blood grew stronger as everything around him grew darker.

He did know. He could see the sharp edge of the netherite axe, could hear the schwick-schwick sound of the shears.

A shadow fell over him and panic made him bolt. The ground beneath him was oddly soft, rolling, and his paws could barely get a grip on it. Then it dropped out from under him.

I’m falling, he thought, in the dream.

And then Dream thought, fuck, this is going to hurt.

Hands were grabbing him, digging awkwardly into his pelt and pulling at the fur. His remaining hind leg kicked out in a panic as he dangled over the opening of the ladder.

“I gotcha, I gotcha,” said Techno. His voice was tight and Dream knew that he almost didn’t have him. “It’d be real helpful though if you stopped kickin’.”

Dream went still. Techno pulled him up and set him down on the bed.

For a moment, he lay there, ears flattened against his skull. Techno was watching him, face somewhere between concern and amusement. Dream bit the blanket and began chewing on it.

“Seriously?” Techno tugged the blanket away, laughing quietly. “I know you’re doin’ it on purpose, man. You can’t fool me with the cute bunny act anymore.”

Dream sneezed.

Techno was still laughing as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

He’s never actually pissed, Dream thought, ears flicking forward. When he threw the clock in the lava, Sam would be angry. If he cracked a joke in a desperate attempt to think of anything other than the pain, Quackity would hit him harder. But Techno was never mad, even when Dream was actively trying to be annoying.

It had been a strange test, he realized now. A way of poking and prodding to see if he was really safe. And he was. He always had been.

(The memory of Techno teasing Dream about being homeless as he tried not to laugh and stomped his foot in pretend annoyance came back to him suddenly. Whatever the words in the tunnel on Doomsday, they had been friends for awhile.)

With his missing foot, it was harder to keep his balance but Dream gave a hop, straight up into the air, before making a quick circle on the bed, only tripping once. He flopped on his side.

The smile on Techno’s face widened and he rolled his eyes.

“Uh-uh, whatever you’re up to it’s not gonna work on me. I’m goin’ back to sleep,” he said.

It was still dark outside.

Techno had laid back down, eyes closed except for a tiny sliver. Dream gave a yawn and a stretch and crawled a little bit closer, close enough that Techno could reach out and scratch the spot between his ears.

Closing his eyes, Dream resisted the urge to chew on the blanket. He decided he owed Techno that much.

“Where’s the little shit?” asked Phil, leaning against the kitchen entryway.

Techno looked up from where he was sitting at the table. In front of him was a bowl of oatmeal that was half-eaten and had gone cold and congealed. There was another bowl of oatmeal across from him but that bowl hadn’t been touched; the spoon next to it was spotless.

“In the other room,” Techno said and inclined his head towards the main room.

Taking a step back, Phil poked his head into the other room for a moment.

“Ah.” He pulled out a chair and sat, angled a little to the side to accommodate his wings. “He doing alright? It’s been awhile since he was full rabbit.”

Techno snorted. He could hear the worry in Phil’s voice but the wording tickled him.

“I think it’s easier for him to walk this way.” He almost mentioned the nightmare but he knew Dream would be listening and knew he wouldn’t want Techno to share that. “I mean, I haven’t asked but he moves better so I’m makin’ an educated guess here.”

“Makes sense but he’s got to get used to that prosthetic. Or use a cane. Either way, he can’t stay a rabbit forever,” Phil said.

Techno’s eyes fell on the uneaten bowl of oatmeal. He had known Dream wouldn’t eat it. He knew that Dream would likely argue he could, in fact, stay in his rabbit form for as long as he wanted, a fact that wasn’t strictly wrong. But Techno remembered when he first found Dream; he wasn’t the same, he wasn’t Dream.

“Yeah, I know. He’ll get there. I’ve got faith in him.”

A smile crossed Phil’s face.

“He is stubborn as hell, I’ll give him that. I was hoping to talk to him, though.”

 Pushing the chair back, Techno stood. He grabbed both of the bowls off the table.

“Eh, give him a minute, Phil,” he said as he began scrapping the bowls out into the composter.

“Oh, it can wait but—”

Phil stopped mid ‘but’ as Dream hopped into the kitchen. His gait was a little awkward though he didn’t stumble or trip. He stopped at the bathroom door, looked at Techno, and flicked his ear. Dumping the bowls into the sink, Techno reached over and opened the door.

“Ah,” said Phil.

Techno closed the bathroom door.

“There was no way he wasn’t listenin’ in. I know him too well.”

“I see.”

There was the sound of scraping wood on stone from the bathroom and then silence. Phil looked over at Techno with a raised eyebrow and Techno held up a finger, waiting. A couple moments later, they could hear Dream’s muffled swearing and another moment later, the door swung open. Dream leaned against the door frame.

“You good there, mate?” asked Phil.

Dream nodded – this was routine, really, by now – and moved to the closest chair to sit. He lifted his hands to sign and then dropped them into his lap.

“What—What do you want?”

Techno snorted.

“Dang, Dream, where’s your manners? How about a hullo first?”

Dream stared at him, ears straight up, nose barely moving, before looking back at Phil.

“Hi,” he said. “What do you want?”

Techno winced. He could tell by Dream’s tone and the slight twitch to the corner of his mouth that he was joking. It was a toss up on whether Phil would get the joke. A smile broke across Phil’s face and Techno relaxed.

“Alright, you bastard,” said Phil, laughing. “I wanted to give you this back.”

Reaching into his coat, Phil withdrew a book from the inner pocket. He set on the table and slid it across towards Dream who made no move to take it. Techno didn’t have to ask to know what the book was.

“Why? Don’t—Don’t you want it? You could—You could use it. I gave it to you.”

Dream had leaned forward as he spoke, voice breaking, hands gripping tightly onto the edge of the table. He looked at Techno, as if he was hoping he could explain.

“And everyone’s home safe so I’m giving it back.”

“But—You could still use it. I gave it to you,” Dream repeated weakly, desperately.

“I know, kid.” Phil’s voice was soft. He gestured at Techno. “But luckily this fool came back unhurt and everyone else is fine.”

The tips of Dream’s fingers were red and white.

“I-I don’t understand. This is—It’s stupid. I gave—This is stupid!”

The anger was ineffectual, not directed at Phil or anyone in the now silent kitchen. Techno took a step closer to Dream and the only sign of acknowledgement was a flick of his half-torn ear.

“Whatever happens, happens,” said Phil now with a firmness to his voice. “Can’t let a book dictate that. Especially not that one.”

Dream’s forehead was creased, the sound of his teeth grinding against each other audible. The book had been the only thing that kept him alive. It had been the thing that drove him to that point in the first place. He put his face into his hands with a noise of frustration.

“I don’t want it,” he said, words muffled. When he looked up his eyes were wet. “I’m—I’m done.”

Techno let out a sigh and lightly touched the back of Dream’s head.

“Yeah, alright, man. We’ll get rid of it. We’ll burn it or something,” he said.

“No.” The word was sharp. Dream turned his head towards Techno. “No, don’t—don’t burn it. I don’t know what would happen. Just—I don’t know.”

“I’m sure we can figure something out,” said Phil as he pulled the book back and returned it to his pocket. He got to his feet. “This damn book has caused enough problems.”

“That’s the dang truth.”

Phil stood by the table for a moment, eyes on Dream, considering. The sympathy was easy to read and understand. The grief was a little harder to place but Techno knew the reason. He thought Phil had made this decision the first time the revival book had been brought up. It was a guess but one Techno would’ve put money on.

“Anyway, make sure this little shit takes another walk. Some fresh air’ll be good for him.”

A grin crossed Techno’s face and he nudged Dream’s shoulder.

“Isn’t that sweet? He cares.”

Sliding down a little in the chair, Dream huffed and thumped his good foot against the floor.

“So lame,” he said.

Phil was still standing on the bridge when Techno stepped outside.

His gaze was on the forest that sat on the edge of the land they had claimed as their own, arms crossed lightly over his chest. When Techno stepped up beside him, Phil leaned against him.

“Are you sure about gettin’ rid of the book?” asked Techno. “I mean, I’m not gonna stop you but—”

“I’m sure, mate. I’m sure.”

“Alright.”

There was more Techno wanted to say but he knew Phil; he would keep it to himself and find something to fix and Techno would be there through it all, until he was ready. If he ever was.

Phil shifted and glanced at the cabin door.

“Can’t say I’m not a little surprised he refused to take the book back. He got tortured for months for the damn thing,” he said.

Techno raised an eyebrow.

“I mean, he did give it to you in the first place, Phil. I can’t be too surprised.”

“You believe him when he says he’s done?” asked Phil.

It wasn’t really a question; just like the decision to give the book back, Phil had already made up his mind and knew that Techno had as well.

“I do, I do.”

Phil let out the breath he had been holding in a white puff. It dissipated over the railing of the bridge.

“Guess I’ve got to figure out how to blow up this fucking book. It feels like it’s burning a hole in my pocket,” he said.

“D’you need some help?” asked Techno.

“Nothing some TNT and obsidian can’t handle. Then maybe we’ll finally get some damn peace.”

It was cold but the sun made the snow sparkle. The sky was bright blue. Right now, here, it was peaceful.

“Yeah, I’m thinkin’ we will.”

Chapter Text

The cabin was quiet and had been for awhile.

Dream had been watching the door, expecting someone to knock. There had been a near constant stream of visitors in the last few days, both good and bad, all unwelcomed as far as he was concerned. But morning had stretched into afternoon and afternoon into early evening. If Techno noticed that Dream had spent most of the day after Phil left watching the door, he didn’t show it beyond dropping the wooden bar across it when he had gotten up earlier.

In his chair, Techno was still knitting, the pile of green yarn in his lap slowly disappearing into whatever he was making. He knew nothing about knitting but Dream had a suspicion he knew who it was for. Before, the thought would’ve made Dream uncomfortable; now he was vaguely used to it. He still rolled his eyes as he shifted in his seat, stretching his legs, and trying to ignore how he felt his missing foot even with the prosthetic and the low, throbbing pain that came both with that memory and the reality.

“You alright, man?”

Techno was looking at him with an expression Dream was familiar with. It was the look he had when he was doing his best not show he was worried.

“I’m fine,” signed Dream. He wondered if he had made some noise of discomfort and didn’t realize it. He hadn’t even realized that the constant, quiet clicking of Techno’s knitting needles had stopped. Rubbing his hand over his knee, he looked back at the door. Still nothing.

“Alright,” Techno said, watching Dream for a moment longer before returning to his knitting. “Let me know if you need anything.”

He was about to say that he didn’t need anything, as usual, when his stomach growled. The last time he had eaten escaped his mind but he knew it had been awhile. Dream remembered the soft, disappointed sigh Techno had given when the oatmeal went untouched.

“I’m hungry.” He blurted the words out like he was revealing a secret.

Techno dropped the knitting immediately, haphazardly setting it to the side. It would likely be tangled but he didn’t seem to care. He was already on his feet and stopped in front of Dream.

“Yeah? What did you have in mind, Dream? A nice salad?” Dream’s face twisted at the suggestion and Techno laughed, waving a hand. His tail wagged back and forth as he spoke. “Alright, alright, no rabbit food. Heh. How about some soup? I’ve got some chicken, some carrots – that wasn’t a rabbit joke, don’t even start – and some onion.”

“I—” Dream blinked. He hadn’t expected this sort of reaction though he probably should have. Techno had made a plate or bowl of food for Dream every single time he cooked even when he knew it would go uneaten. “You don’t—You don’t have to cook. I can just have some bread or—or whatever.”

Techno snorted.

“Look, you can have some bread while I cook but I’m makin’ you some real food,” he said. “How long have you been here? You’ve barely gained any weight, man. The soup is non-negotiable.”

It was non-negotiable. Dream didn’t even want to argue for once; soup sounded good and he was hungry. He nodded.

“Yeah, fine,” said Dream, sitting up, hands on the arms of the chair. It rocked a little with his movement.

“D’you want a hand?”

It was another thing he probably would have argued about before, had argued about before, and Dream looked at Techno’s outstretched hand and rolled his eyes a little.

“I can get up on my own, Techno,” he said even as he took Techno’s hand. Techno pulled him up. “It’s just your— your stupid rocking chair sucks.”

As if to prove Dream’s point, the chair tipped forward and then back the moment his butt left the seat, rocking on its own. It kept rocking slowly as they made their way into the kitchen.

Techno was under a lot of pressure; he had cooked for Dream before, given ‘Gary’ food that he seemed to ask for (the melon came to mind), but Dream – not the rabbit but the man – had never asked, not directly, and it had always been a struggle to get him to eat. Techno really didn’t want to mess this up. He wanted Dream to eat. Tipping the cutting board, he watched as the carrots slid off and plopped into the pot. A proper stew would have taken all day to boil the bones for the stock and to simmer the meat but a soup would be good enough and there would be time for a stew later.

“It’ll be about ten minutes,” he said, turning around and wiping his hands off. “Gotta give those carrots time to soften up.”

Dream lifted a hand and rubbed his jaw. They were both thinking the same thing.

“Okay.” There were crumbs of bread on the table in front of Dream and he started to push them off the table and onto the floor but stopped when he noticed Techno watching. Meticulously, he picked them up with the tips of his shaking fingers and put them on the plate. His face was flushed pink. “Sorry.”

Choking back a laugh, Techno put the lid on the pot then pulled out a chair across from Dream and sat.

“Look, you’ve got better table manners than Steve or the dogs,” he said, settling in his seat. As soon as the words had left his mouth, Dream’s expression darkened and he glanced away. Inwardly, Techno groaned. “And Phil, if I’m bein’ honest, and don’t even get me started on when Tommy visits.”

He had hoped to lighten the mood, to make it clear that had been a joke and Techno didn’t equate Dream to an animal but judging by the way Dream’s ears had flattened, he had definitely missed the mark. He scratched the side of his snout.

“Ah…”

Before Techno could even form a proper apology, Dream looked at him, nose twitching, and said, “That’s—That’s like the lowest bar possible.”

Techno barked out laughter and leaned back in his seat.

“Y’know, you’ve got me there, Dream, you’ve got me there.”

Dream’s ears were straight up and forward and there was a smile on his face as he flicked some of the crumbs on his plate lightly.

“Yeah, I know.”

For a moment, the only sound in the kitchen was low boiling of the soup and the creaking of Techno’s chair as he fidgeted. Dream was still, one hand pressed flat against the table. The faded blue checkers of the tablecloth was an odd background for the clear damage done to Dream’s hand. Odd but Techno couldn’t say it felt out of place. Techno picked at a loose thread absent-mindedly.

“I was wonderin’,” he said slowly, “have you thought about what you’re gonna do now?”

It was still a loaded question, Techno knew that, but he had done his best to shoulder some of the weight that Dream had been carrying all this time. Phil had helped. They had all done what they could. The rest was up to him, with what help he’d accept along the way.

“A-actually.” Dream took a deep breath. “Do you remember the community house?”

Techno stared at him for a moment, mouth open. He hadn’t been expecting an answer and he wouldn’t have blamed Dream if couldn’t give one, even if it bothered him to see Dream so lost and aimless.

“Yeah.” Techno leaned forward. “Yeah, I remember. Though I’m pretty sure the last time I was there, you and I were standin’ in the rubble.”

Something deeply sad had made its way into the look in Dream’s eyes but there was a hesitant smile still on his face.

“Heh. Yeah. And—and you wanted to fight the whole server,” he said.

Techno grimaced.

“Honestly? It’s a good thing you were there otherwise I would’ve tried it.”

Tapping his good foot against the ground, Dream shook his head.

“Yeah—Yeah, even you couldn’t take on the entire server like that.”

“Let’s not go too far, okay, Dream? With the proper gear, I absolutely could,” said Techno as he pushed back in his chair a little. “Don’t forget who was on the ground durin’ Doomsday.”

Dream started to roll his eyes and then stopped, tilting his head to the side in thought. After a moment, he nodded, relenting.

“That’s true, I guess.”

Behind them, a drop of liquid splashed onto the hot stove and sizzled. Then another and Techno took his cue, getting up and turning the heat down to low. Steam billowed out when he lifted the lid to stir it. The carrots felt soft when he pressed against one with the wooden spoon. 

“So, what about the community house?” he asked as he pulled out two bowls. Techno wasn’t hungry but he would eat, if that made things less awkward for Dream.  

“I was—” Dream paused, long enough that Techno glanced over his shoulder to make sure he was still alright before turning to fill the bowls, waiting for him to continue. He did after a couple beats. “I was thinking about rebuilding it.”

Techno almost dropped the ladle. He finished filling the first bowl.

“Yeah?”

“I mean, yeah, unless you think…”

Dream trailed off, watching as Techno placed a bowl in front of him. He dropped his gaze to the soup, mouth twisting. Techno put a spoon next to the bowl and Dream still hadn’t finished his sentence.

“No, man, I think that’s a great idea,” he said gently, answering the unspoken question that Dream left hanging in the air.

“Yeah, me too.”

Dream grinned and it was wide and genuine. The sadness was still present on his features but Techno could imagine this might have been what he looked like when he had suggested building the community house in the beginning. Less scarring, lacking the hollowness in his cheeks, but close enough. A tightness gripped his chest and he wished he could’ve been there at the start. Maybe things would’ve been different. Techno cleared his throat and filled his own bowl before sitting back down.

“You’re probably gonna need some help with that.” Techno took a spoonful of soup and blew on it. Across the table, Dream mimicked him, keeping his eyes on him, ears swivelled forward. “I happen to be a great builder.”

The skeptical-but-amused look that planted itself firmly on Dream’s face was exactly what Techno had been expecting and he laughed.

“Yeah, right,” said Dream, dripping with sarcasm. He swallowed his spoonful of soup. “But you—you can help, I guess.”

“I’m in.”

Dream’s stomach was full and the bowl was empty. A warmth had spread throughout him, heavy and comfortable, and he had to stop himself from nodding off where he sat. The other rocking chair had been shoved into the corner, blending in with all the clutter, and replaced with a kitchen chair. Techno had draped a blanket over it and stuck a pillow behind Dream’s back and he thought this was the most relaxed he had been in a very long time.

Sleepily, his eyes moved over the cabin’s main room. If it wasn’t such a vivid memory, one that would stick with him forever, Dream might have found it hard to believe there had been a stand-off here only a day ago. The door was still locked, wood beam in place. Everything felt peaceful, right.

It felt right.

He couldn’t remember the last time things had felt right for him. Maybe at the beginning, when he had built the community house with his friends, and maybe that was why the only thing he could think of to do now was rebuild it. Dream rubbed a hand over his face, blinking rapidly.

“Stupid,” he muttered to himself out of habit. He didn’t mean it and if he was honest, he was surprised by that.

“Do I want to know?” asked Techno, looking up at him.

Dream flicked an ear.

“It’s—I was just thinking. It’s nothing, like, important.”

Techno searched his face the way he did when he was worried and Dream found he didn’t mind, not this time. The worry faded into a smile, Techno shaking his head a little.  

“Alright, just lemme know if you need anything, man,” he said.

People had been asking him for awhile what he needed or wanted and he had thought it was all figured out until the prison and his foot had been taken and, for a bit, who he was had been taken.

“Yeah, actually.” Dream pushed himself forward and the chair didn’t move. The prosthetic foot felt strange on the floor but he would get used to it. “I’m—I’m tired. I want to sleep.”

He had said it before, resigned to feeling that exhaustion deep in his bones forever, the admission practically pulled out of him like guilt. Right now, he was just tired and wanted to go upstairs to the room he shared with his friend and get some sleep and maybe in the morning they could talk about the plan to rebuild the community house.

“I thought you’d never ask,” said Techno. “I was about to try curlin’ up in that basket of yours out of desperation.”

Rolling his eyes, Dream got to his feet and swayed slightly as he tried to find his new equilibrium. It took a minute.

“What, is it past your bedtime?”

“You’re the one that wanted to go to sleep.” He nudged Dream gently with his shoulder. “And for the record, Dream, it is past my bedtime.”

“Idiot,” Dream laughed and climbed the ladder.

Chapter Text

The blanket had been pulled fully off Techno and it was the cold air that snuck in between the wood planks and the frame of the window that woke him up. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes before opening them, looking for his blanket. It was wrapped around Dream. Only his ears and the top of his head were visible. Techno considered yanking it away – Phil was also a notorious blanket thief and Techno had to wrestle him for it on more than one occasion – but Dream was sleeping soundly. No twitching, no small sounds of pain or fear.

No turnin’ into a bunny and runnin’ across my face.

It was an improvement, like all the others, and little by little those small steps were adding up. Without the blanket, it was chilly but Techno could feel warmth spreading in his chest. If Dream had given up and stayed as a rabbit forever, Techno wasn’t sure he would’ve blamed him. This cabin was built because Techno had wanted to be alone. He had been used and betrayed and the cabin might have stayed empty except for him if it wasn’t for Phil and Ranboo.

He was lucky. Dream hadn’t been, not in the beginning, but that was changing.

A soft laugh was followed by a louder yawn and Techno thought, I know, I know, I’m being cringe.

The blanket rustled and Dream poked his head out, nose twitching and eyes narrowed in sleepy annoyance that was almost certainly an act.

“What.”

His voice was muffled by the blanket.

“Good mornin’ to you, too, Dream,” said Techno.

What was visible of Dream’s face lost the annoyed act and turned sheepish.

“Morning,” he grumbled, and then, unable to let it go, “You were staring.”

“Yeah, at a dirty blanket thief.”

Yawning again, Techno sat up. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Dream start to reach for a pillow – probably to smack him with it – but instead he flopped back down, pulling the blanket away and shoving it in Techno’s direction. Techno smiled, fondly, shaking his head.

“Whatever. It’s not like—It’s not like I have a lot of options, Techno.”

Techno paused in the middle of reaching for a clean undershirt. Dream had a point. While he was used to sharing a space with others, Dream wasn’t. And his cabin wasn’t exactly set up for having another person in it. He didn’t mind but he doubted that Dream would want this long term. At the very least, a second bed would go a long way to preventing blanket theft. Pulling the shirt over his head, Techno hummed in thought.

“You’re right, you’re right,” he said. “Y’know, way back then, I did say I had an extra bed when I promised you could stay with me."

“Yeah. You did say that.”

The words had come out slow and so un-Dream like that Techno stopped buttoning up his overshirt and looked at him. Dream was looking out the small window set into the roof of the cabin, arm behind his head, expression thoughtful. Frost lightly rimmed the glass pane. The way Dream was chewing on his bottom lip spoke of someone getting their thoughts in order. Techno waited.

“Did you mean it?” asked Dream, turning his head towards him.

It wasn’t the question Techno had been expecting. He blinked and shifted on the bed to face Dream better. It was his turn to think. Back then, he wouldn’t have considered Dream a friend though he liked him. Few people were as entertaining to tease as Dream and that endeared him to Techno. They were almost friends, could’ve been friends, and Techno would’ve found a place for him.

“Bruh. Of course, I did, I’m a man of my word, but someone kept insistin’ he had a house.”

One of Dream’s eyebrows quirked upwards and his tattered ears lifted, turning forward.

“Yeah?”

Techno knew regret when he saw it and it was painted on Dream’s face, in the subtle curve of his smile.

“The offer still stands, man,” Techno said, finally getting to his feet. His stomach growled. Judging by how hungry he was and the bright light shining through the window, they had slept in. “I figure you oughta stay here until you’re hundred percent but I can make up a room for you downstairs in the basement, if that sounds alright?”

Part of Techno thought he might object to the idea; while it was awkward sharing a room, there were windows and light and it wasn’t all stone. It wouldn’t make someone think of a prison cell. Dream pushed himself up and rubbed his leg, fingers spread over the scarred stump that it ended in.

“I wouldn’t have to listen to your snoring anymore,” he said.

Techno grabbed the pillow that Dream had reached for earlier and he did follow through, smacking Dream, who half-heartedly flipped him off, lightly in the head with it. The grin appeared to be whole-hearted, however.

“Bruh.” He whacked Dream again for good measure. “You’re one to talk.”

“What! I don’t—I don’t snore.” Dream sat up and narrowed his eyes. He repeated, “I don’t snore.”

Uncertainty made his voice warbled a little. It probably wouldn’t have taken much to convince Dream that he did snore.

There’s gotta be a special circle of hell for people who gaslight a torture victim.

Techno tossed the pillow back onto the bed, aiming away from Dream.

“I never said you did, man. You just turn into a little bunny rabbit and run across my face.”

Dream was silent for a long moment, brows furrowed as he tried to figure out a way to argue the point. By the time he had given up, Techno had finished buttoning his shirt.

“Whatever. It’s not like I do it on purpose.”

It wasn’t the first time Dream had said that. It wasn’t the first time there was something in Dream’s voice that felt pleading, as if he wanted Techno to understand. As if there was a lingering fear of what might happen if Techno didn’t understand. But it was lingering like the memory of something sour on your tongue; distant, not truly there.

“I know,” said Techno, softly. Dream’s ears flicked, the barest hint of a smile crossing his face, before he shrugged. “Look at the bright side, Dream, you wouldn’t fall down the dang ladder in your sleep anymore."

A short bark of laughter erupted from Dream.

"Yeah. Yeah, that’s true,” he said. “It fucking sucks.”

“Yeah.” Techno bent to pick up the prosthetic foot that had been discarded at the bedside and held it out to Dream. “Not gonna lie, man, I think you got the short end of the stick there.”

Taking the prosthetic, Dream’s face twisted.

“You think?”

It wasn’t actually question so Techno didn’t answer, watching as Dream began strapping the foot on. His fingers didn’t slip as often on the buckles as they had at first. Dream swung his legs off the edge of the bed with a groan, hand rubbing his thigh. Techno held a hand out to him.

“I’ll put safety railin’s on the ladder goin’ downstairs for you,” he said.

“It’s not funny, Techno.”

Dream took his hand.

“I wasn’t jokin’, Dream. It might help in case you slip or something. Besides, Phil is gettin’ old, he probably could use the help.”

The skeptical almost hurt expression that had been on Dream’s face vanished. He grinned as Techno pulled him to his feet, holding onto Techno’s shoulder for a moment as he regained his balance. A sharp breath was drawn in when he put weight on the prosthetic foot. Techno couldn’t smell blood but the discomfort was clear.

“I mean, heh, true, but I don’t want Phil just, like, coming into my room,” said Dream. His tone was light, teasing, but when he glanced at Techno, it was hard to miss the slight anxiety in his expression. “If that’s—”

Techno held up a hand.

“That’s okay, Dream. That’s okay. You’re allowed to have some privacy, alright,” he said. “Heck, even I prefer it when Phil at least knocks."

Nodding, Dream moved to the opening for the ladder and sat down awkwardly, legs dangling down and hand on one of the rungs.

“I want a door on my room.”

Techno had taken an involuntary step forward, ready to help Dream, ready to suggest that maybe he should go down first, just in case. Dream’s arm was shaking but his grip was firm. Techno shoved his hands into his pockets as he watched.

“I dunno, man, a door sounds pretty fancy.”

Ears flattening against his skull, Dream paused and turned to look at Techno and the moment he saw the expression on Techno’s face, he rolled his eyes, scoffing.

“Fuck off, Techno,” he said trying and failing to keep the laughter out of his voice then climbed down.

Looking around his bedroom, Techno smiled. Part of him would miss sharing a room. There was a comfort in having a friend close and he thought Dream felt the same, especially after everything that had happened. But it was a good first step into something that looked like normalcy. It was needed. Techno slid down the ladder.

Dream was trying to be patient.

He had stopped pacing the small room when Techno had told him to despite his protest that he needed to get used to the new foot even if it still rubbed against his skin uncomfortably and was now sitting in the chair, rocking it with enough force to just avoid being annoying. Techno sat in the other chair, knitting, brows furrowed as his fingers moved quickly. Dream had tried to follow along but given up after a few moments.

This is stupid, he thought.

“I’m—I’m bored,” he said out loud.

Techno chuckled, not looking up.

“It’s not gonna kill ya to sit for a little bit, Dream.”

Locking his knees straight, Dream stopped the chair from rocking and sighed.

“It might.” He tugged at the shirt he was wearing. It had been borrowed but he couldn’t remember when and it might as well have been his. An odd feeling made his throat tight. “In the—In the prison, I thought it’d make me crazy.”

The clack of Techno’s knitting needles slowed.

“Really?”

Dream knew if looked over at Techno now, his expression would be sad, understanding. He didn’t look.

“Yeah and—And when Quackity first started visiting, I almost didn’t mind. I just—I didn’t want to be alone anymore,” he said, beginning to slowly rock the chair. Admitting that came with both nausea and a sense of relief. “Which is fucking crazy but… Heh. That didn’t last, though, obviously.”

“Obviously.” Techno cleared his throat. “Hey, look at the bright side, Dream. You’re not alone now and the only torture you’ll have to endure here is Ranboo’s baby tryin’ to feed you cake.”

The nausea disappeared and a laugh bubbled up from Dream’s stomach. It was true. He never thought it would be. He smiled.

“That and you putting those stupid bows on my ears.”

“In my defense, you really did look cute,” said Techno. The needles picked up speed again. Clack-clack-clack. Techno was grinning.

“Whatever.” There was no point in arguing. Dream watched Techno for a moment, the pile of green yarn getting smaller, before speaking again. “What are you even doing? We could be—We could be starting on my room or-or the community house.”

Techno’s grin widened and he shook his head, glancing up at Dream.

“Bruh… I’m almost done then we’ll start clearin’ out the basement, alright? This is important.”

“Fine,” Dream said, the sigh that followed deep and exaggerated.

He was bored.

He was bored and it didn’t come with the nagging anxiety that boredom had brought in the prison. It wasn’t never-ending, he wasn’t alone in it. Techno was sitting across from him and the warmth from the fire was gentle. Giving a yawn that was only partially fake, Dream leaned his head back, ears brushing against the wall. Whenever Techno finished, they would start work on his room and it might not be his forever but it was something. His bones still ached but he felt lighter. It was strange.

“Ha…”

“Something funny?” Techno asked.

The yarn had been cut, the leftovers set aside as he squinted, tucking the end into the stitches, and Dream almost asked exactly what he was doing but he knew Techno and knew it would end with a demonstration. He shrugged.

“You’ll have to find something else to make fun of me for,” he said. When Techno merely looked at him with an raised eyebrow and a soft sound of confusion, Dream clarified: “Because I’ll be living here, like, for real.”

It had been settled awhile ago, Dream’s homeless status, but he had never said it aloud himself. Techno snorted and set his knitting needles onto the side table.

“Oh, I think I can find something to make fun of you for, Dream, don’t worry about that.” He slapped a hand on his knee before getting to his feet. “Good news. I’m done.”

Techno held up his creation. The yarn was a deep but bright green, like summer leaves, and it was shaped like a very bad, oversized sock. Dream had no idea what it was but it seemed like Techno was expecting him to understand. His nose twitched and he tapped his foot against the floor.

“Okaaay…”

“Here,” said Techno, crossing the distance between their chairs in one long step and kneeling in front of Dream. “Take off your foot, I’ll show ya.”

Dream began undoing the straps of the prosthetic. He was getting used to it – his balance was better and he could walk at a speed that wasn’t sluggish – but it was still uncomfortable, his skin slightly raw and irritated. Dream set the prosthetic aside and looked at the fire. He didn’t like looking at the stump of his ankle for long and he thought that part he might never get fully used to.

“Now what?” he asked.

“Then this just goes on…” Techno took the green sock-thing and slipped it onto Dream’s ankle. It was snug and soft. “Like so. Tada. Now you’ll have some extra padding that we can actually wash.”

“Yeah, that—that makes sense,” Dream said as he grabbed the prosthetic and buckled it back into place. It felt a little tighter but the sensation of metal against his skin was gone. He pressed the foot down. The metal blade bent under the force. “It’s better.”

Techno grinned up at him.

“See? Didn’t I say it was important?”

It wasn’t something that Dream would’ve considered important. He would have pushed through the discomfort, tried to ignore it, but Techno wouldn’t let him. Dream thought that meant something. He smiled.

“Yeah, you did.”

Patting Dream’s knee, Techno stood and held out his hand to Dream like it was second nature. Dream thought it might be and that was something he could get used to. He took it.

“Alright, let’s get started on that room of yours.”

“What exactly is all this about, mate?”

The floor of Techno’s basement had been partially removed and he was standing in the hole. Behind him, one of the walls had been broken down, the dirt behind it partially excavated. Phil was standing by the ladder on the part of the floor that was still there, arms folded across his chest as he surveyed the progress. It wasn’t much; there was at least another two days of work before the cozy room with wooden walls and a carpeted floor and an oven for warmth that Techno envisioned was complete. Techno wiped his arm across his brow.

“I’m buildin’, Phil,” he said.

“I can see that.” Phil walked to the other side of what was left of the floor and craned his neck. “You extending this room?”

Techno dug the edge of the shovel into the ground and leaned on it.

“Something like that, something like that. I’m makin’ a room for Dream.”

“Really?”

The surprise on Phil’s face caught Techno off-guard.  

“I mean, he’s kinda livin’ in my bedroom right now so I thought it’d be a good idea to give him his own space, at least for now,” he said.

Phil hopped down into the shallow hole, wings ruffling slightly.

“Can’t disagree with that, honestly. He’d probably appreciate it,” he said as he looked around, nodding. “Putting him in the basement is a little ironic, all things considered.”

For a moment, Techno thought Phil meant because a stone basement wasn’t too far off from a prison cell, if you got down to it, but the oddly conflicted look on Phil’s face told him otherwise. The voices in his head got louder and Techno groaned.

“Ah, yeah. Welp.”

Phil gave a snort.

“What are you going to tell Tommy?”

Kicking a loose pebble, Techno took a moment to form his answer. It was something he had decided on awhile ago but never knew if it was the right decision. It felt right now. He shrugged.

“Probably the same thing I told Dream when the situation was reversed,” said Techno.

“He’s going to find out eventually, mate.” Phil’s words were gentle and understanding but there was a firmness present to them. “You can’t hide him forever.”

“I know, Phil, I know. I just think it’s a good idea to keep those two as far apart as possible, at least until Dream is doin’ better.” A hint of pleading crept into his voice. “He is doing better, man. It’s just gonna take some more time.”

Phil reached out and touched Techno’s hand, fingers tugging lightly at the fabric of his sleeve.

“I know. Hell, even I have to admit that much,” he said. “Once word gets out, I could probably convince Tommy he’s not a threat, especially after the torture. The little prick isn’t heartless. My question is, do you think Dream’s not a threat?”

“I do.” There was no hesitation. That Dream had done terrible things wasn’t up for debate but he had changed. Not because of the torture, either. He had let go of things he had been clinging to. Techno could see that. He wanted, badly, he just hadn’t known what. Techno had been there. “I do, but I think he needs space.”

Phil was quiet for a long while but his face was soft and Techno would’ve bet money on what he was thinking about. Nodding, Phil cleared his throat.

“I can’t believe I’m fucking saying this but I agree. Where is the little shithead, anyway?” he asked.

A sense of relief washed over Techno and he threw an arm around Phil’s shoulders.

“Upstairs, sleepin’. He helped for most of the day but I could tell he was reachin’ his limit even if he vehemently denied the fact.”

Phil laughed. The sound was loud and pleasant in the small room.

“Sounds about right.”

“Which means, you get to help,” Techno said, holding out the shovel to Phil.

He took it and they got to work.

Chapter Text

The rabbit was running.

Green grass was soft and alive beneath its paws. The air smelled like freshly dug dirt and newly cut wood. Sunlight reflected off the water as the rabbit stopped to drink, stopped to consider the shape forming in the middle of the lake.

A warren, the rabbit thought but that couldn’t be right. The shape was all wrong but the word stuck.

Somewhere in the distance, up the hill, voices called out and the rabbit lifted its head. It could no longer balance on its hind legs but it sniffed the air, ears turned towards the sound. In the same way the rabbit knew the shape was warren, it knew the voices were friends.

It flicked an ear and ran, gait slightly lopsided, up the hill, and the sun was shinning and the grass was soft.

Dream woke up thirsty, the taste of phantom water on his tongue, and rolled over with a groan. The lantern on the nightstand had gone down to just a flicker. Reaching over, Dream turned the knob and watched the flame grow, illuminating the room. There was no natural light in the basement, something Techno still fretted over a month later, despite Dream’s assurances it was fine. He had offered all sorts of solutions including glowstone which Dream had winced at. Dream rubbed his eyes, waiting for them to adjust, before looking at the clock on the wall.

(Techno had hung the clock on the wall and Dream had jokingly said he wouldn’t throw this one into the lava. It had been awkward, explaining how he had thrown his clock and watched it burn in the hopes Sam would come and replace it. He had laughed at Techno’s stilted joke that now he could just ask for attention and without thinking about it, Dream had said, ‘Yeah, and—and at least you won’t hit me over it.’

It wasn’t until Techno was crushing him in a hug and he felt the tears slipping down his cheeks as he pressed his face into Techno’s shoulder that he really understood the weight of his own words.)

The hands on the clock said it was 9:08 in the morning. Dream tilted his head, trying to listen for sounds of life upstairs. It was quiet but he knew better. Yawning, he reached for his prosthetic food. One of the knitted socks Techno made was balled up inside and he pulled it over his ankle before attaching the prosthetic. With another yawn, he stretched out as he stood and made his way over to the dresser. The carpeted floor was soft under his feet, another thing Techno had insisted on and Dream had readily agreed to.

Books were stacked on top of the dresser and a quill and a few scattered rocks clattered around when he opened the drawer to dig out clean clothes. The clothes fit now; they were his and not cast-offs from whoever was close enough in size. He pulled a shirt on, shaking his head once it had popped through the collar and then rummaged for pants. The first few times he had gotten dressed on his own, he had stubbornly tried to put pants on standing up and landed on his ass. Techno had laughed but at least had the decency not to point out he had told Dream it would happen. Lesson learned, Dream sat back down on the bed and tugged his pants on carefully over his legs, pausing for a moment to rub at his lower calf.

The phantom pains that still lingered and likely always would and the fact a ladder placed against the wall made it hard for him get proper balance on the rungs had inspired Phil’s contribution to Dream’s bedroom: a pulley system that allowed him to use his upper body strength (or Techno’s, on a bad day) to pull himself up. Phil had offered to automate it with redstone but Dream had refused. Once, he could’ve swung an axe and lifted a shield with ease but his muscle had wasted away, been carved away and now he had to rebuild it.

He wanted swing an axe and help haul the logs.

By the time he had pulled himself up to the main floor, his arms were swore and a thin layer of sweat covered his forehead. It was getting better, slowly. He took a moment to catch his breath.

“Mornin’, Dream,” said Techno from the kitchen entryway and raising his mug a little.

Dream straightened.

“I need to pee,” he said as he passed by, making a beeline for the bathroom.

“Oh, mornin’, Technoblade, how’re you doing this fine day.” The words were amused as Techno turned to watch Dream. “I’m great, Dream, thanks for askin’.”

At that Dream finally did stop, hand on the bathroom door, and rolled his eyes.

“Do you want me to piss on your floor?”

Techno laughed, loud and delighted.

“Alright, that’s fair, Dream. Go on, I’ll make you a cup of tea.”

“Thanks,” signed Dream and opened stepped into the bathroom.

By the time he had finished peeing and washing his hands and scrubbing the morning breath out of his mouth, he could hear the kettle whistling in the kitchen. He had never been a tea drinker but it had grown on him.

Leaning down, Dream spit into the sink and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. His reflection blinked sleepily back at him. He had changed, more than he ever thought possible. His cheeks were no longer painfully hollow though there was a gauntness that wouldn’t leave no matter how many bowls of oatmeal and stew Techno had fed him. But his hair was brushed and the bags under his eyes were gone. He yawned again, wiggling his jaw, and turned away from the mirror.

In the kitchen, Techno was filling up a mug and he grinned at Dream.

“Feelin’ better now?”

Dream pulled out a chair and slumped into it, watching as Techno slid the mug to him.

“Yeah,” he said, waving a hand over the mug to feel the steam as rose off it. “Actually! Actually, you know, what? It—It sucks having to go so far when I have to pee.”

A quiet chuckle left Techno as he turned back to the counter. The bag of oatmeal was sitting next to a pot and the corner of Dream’s mouth twitched a little. Techno began measuring out the oatmeal, glancing over his shoulder.

“I could always put a rabbit-sized litter box down there for you if you really want, man.”

“What!?” Dream wrinkled his nose. “That’s gross, Techno. I’m not going in a box.”

“Says the guy who has definitely pooped on my floor,” said Techno pointedly.

Dream winced. In the beginning, when he didn’t know who or what he was, he had been more animal than man. It had felt safer and all he wanted was to be safe even if that meant losing himself. Techno’s patience had pulled him back from the edge but Dream had definitely shit on his floor before that.

“Okay, well, to be fair I—I wasn’t—”

Techno waved a hand.

“Dream, I’m teasin’ you. I didn’t mind.”

“Yeah, I know,” he said, taking a sip of his tea, and he did.

“’Sides, I’ve let Steve inside and you should’ve seen what he left on the floor.”

“Oh, gross.”

“Tell me about it.” Techno tapped the wooden spoon against the side of the pot. “D’you want berries in yours?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Reaching over Techno grabbed the basket – it was new as the old one still sat by the fireplace, mostly unused these days – and began dropping sweet berries into the oatmeal.

“I figure after we eat, we can head out to the community house for the day,” Techno said as he pulled two bowls out of the cabinet. “The area’s cleared out enough we should be able to start buildin’.”

“Yeah, we—”

Dream paused, one ear swiveling back. At the silence, Techno turned to look at him and immediately leaned to glance at the door. He set the half-filled bowl down with a sigh and a knowing smile in Dream’s direction.

“After the company, apparently.”

“Sorry, I really tried to get him to, like, not,” said Ranboo, shoulders slumped as they gestured broadly.

The ‘not’ in question was Michael who had climbed into Dream’s lap and was petting his ears.

“Nah, it’s fine, it’s fine,” Techno said with a grin.

“Oh, ah, okay.” Ranboo twisted their hands together. “If you’re sure.”

Dream’s hand hovered next to the toddler, ready to catch him if he slipped and fell. There was an annoyed smile on his face that Techno knew well: Dream would complain about this later, in great length, but it would be complaining for the sake of it, not because he was actually upset. It was something Techno had been subjected to many times by this point and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t find it amusing.

“I’m sure.”

Michael had stopped petting Dream’s ears and was nodding intently as Dream signed. The angle of Dream’s body made it impossible to tell what was being said and Techno narrowed his eyes. His certainty that Dream would never do anything to hurt Michael - and it was a certainty, something he knew in his bones – didn’t preclude accidents due to shenanigans. He nudged his shoulder into Ranboo who looked over at the pair with a grimace.

“Oh boy. Uh, Michael, don’t… Don’t climb on Dream, alright, big man?”  

Dream lifted his head.

“I’m giving him a bunny-back ride,” he said as if it was meant to be reassuring.

It took a lot of self-control for Techno not to chuckle.

“That’s—That’s nice,” said Ranboo, helplessly. “Please be careful.”

Techno lost the battle against himself and let out a snort.

“Yeah, Dream, don’t drop the baby.”

Lifting one hand, Dream gave him the finger as Michael pulled awkwardly on his hair and scrambled up onto Dream’s shoulders.

“Fuck off, I won’t,” he said, drawing in a breath through his teeth. Michael wrapped his arms around Dream’s neck, half in his face, and giggled.

“You’re a terrible influence on children, Dream.”

Dream huffed and put his hands on the arms of the chair, carefully testing his balance.

“Heh. You’re—” He stood, wobbling forward slightly and wincing when Michael squealed excitedly right in his ear. For a moment, Dream held still. “You’re just jealous I’m the favorite.”

Next to Techno, Ranboo let out a small sigh. Their thin mouth was pulled into a smile, shaking their head and watching Dream take a few deliberate steps. If Michael minded the slow pace, he didn’t show it. He oinked and waved at Ranboo as the pair crossed the room. This close, Techno could see the tightness in Dream’s jaw and he knew enough to know that the not-insignificant weight of the toddler was getting to him.

“Alright, alright, time for to experience a real piggy-back ride,” he said, reaching out to pluck Michael off Dream’s shoulders and feeling a deep flush of affection when Ranboo reached out to steady Dream, thrown off balance by the action. “Dream here knows all about my world class piggy-back rides, isn’t that right?”

Another admonishment was expected but Dream grinned, letting go of Ranboo’s arm, and said, “Yeah, that’s true.”

Techno tossed Michael over his shoulder, a loud squeal filling the room, and returned Dream’s smile.

After Ranboo and Michael had left, they had eaten the cold oatmeal. Techno had fretted over the time, scurrying around the cabin and rifling through chests to make sure he had everything, a routine that Dream had remembered finding a little annoying once, long ago, but now it was comfortingly normal. So he had just waited, slipping an extra invisibility potion into his pocket as he watched Techno finish getting ready.

It was a little after noon when they got to the community house.

He had been here at least half a dozen times since they had started work but each time Dream felt like his heart was going to break his ribs with its wild pounding, a mix of fear and anger and something bittersweet. Each time they left the portal in the main hub, Techno would take Dream’s hand and squeeze then walk awkwardly close to him. Each time, Dream appreciated it.

“About damn time,” called Phil as they approached the small lake, waving a hand above his head. “I was wondering when you two would show up.”

“Sorry Phil, we would’ve been on time but Dream was playin’ with a baby,” Techno said, nudging Dream with his elbow.

Dream returned the gesture with a light shove.

“What! That’s—You were playing, too!”

A grin spread across Phil’s face.

“So I heard. Ranboo came through just a bit ago. Niki decided to walk them home.” Phil turned and began heading towards the construction site, knowing the other two would follow. “Needed to get some clay for the bricks anyway.”

“Well, I guess it doesn’t have to brick,” said Dream, ears lowering. It was his idea and his design but they were doing most of the work. “It can be whatever’s easiest.”

Techno put his hand on Dream’s arm.

“Nah, we’ll do it right, man.”

The grip on Dream’s arm suddenly tightened and Dream breathed in, nose twitching. It was a familiar scent being blown in by the wind, mixing with the smell of dirt and mud and tree sap. Without thinking about it, Dream pressed a little closer to Techno as Phil sighed.

“I’ll go shoo him off again.”

Now Dream looked up. Tommy was standing a little ways in the distance, closer than the other days when Phil had gone off and talked to him quietly and Tommy had shouted loud enough for everyone to hear and Dream had felt… not much at all. He thought he should’ve felt sorry or angry but the only thing that settled on his chest a fleeting regret.

“It’s—Don’t. It’s fine,” he said, after a moment.

Techno didn’t loosen his grip.

“Are you sure about that, man?”

Dream nodded and Phil sighed again, this time louder.

“Too late now.” A beat and then, “Hey, Tommy.”

The sun was still shining and winter was finally thawing into spring but the breeze was cold and Dream almost shivered. He tilted his chin up to watch Tommy, who had stopped a few feet away, anger and fear clear on his face. It gave Dream a small amount of satisfaction that even now he could still be intimidating but the feeling was fleeting and it left a bitter aftertaste.

“Hey, Ph—You know what, no. Fuck you, Phil,” Tommy sputtered. “Are you really doing this? Are you really working with him?”

Phil looked as if he was already regretting Dream’s choice and that did make him feel a bit guilty.

“Mate, we’ve been over this.”

“We’ve been—Oh, shut up, Phil.”

Techno snorted and Tommy looked at him before turning towards Dream. He stared, silently, and Dream felt his ears flatten as he returned the look. Techno’s hand was still on his arm and his thumb tapped against his skin gently.

“You look like shit, Dream,” said Tommy.

A laugh wormed its way out of Dream’s throat. The last time Tommy had seen him up close, he had been starving and had suffered blows from Sam but the months of torture had come later and left a clear mark.

“Yeah.”

Something flickered in Tommy’s eyes. Dream wondered what Phil had told him, if Tommy had believed whatever it was or not.

“Do you really expect anyone to believe you’re just rebuilding the community house? I know you. You—You’re not fooling me.”

“Bruh…” Techno shifted on his feet. “Listen, Tommy, I’ve been out here each day. Heck, me and Phil have been doin’ half of the work. I’d know if he was up to something. All we’re doin’ is fixin’ the community house.”

It was Techno that had spoken but Tommy directed his question at Dream.

“Why?”

“Well, I mean—It—It was me, right? I-I was the one who destroyed it. So. I guess I should be the one to rebuild it,” he said, slowly. The words felt like slowly untangling a piece of thread that had been knotted. Dream gestured at Techno and Phil. “But yeah, I guess—I guess Techno and Phil are helping.”

“You guess,” said Phil then muttered something under his breath that sounded a lot like ‘little shit’.

Tommy stood there for a moment, mouth pressed shut tightly. Only when the sound of approaching footsteps broke the silence did he look away from Dream. Niki had quickened her pace, pink hair blowing around her face in the wind. Tommy looked back and shoved a finger in Dream’s direction.

“Don’t make it fucking ugly this time,” he said, whirling around and stalking off.

Dream exhaled and let himself lean into Techno.

“You alright?”

Nodding, Dream glanced at Niki who had come to a stop next to Phil and then back to Techno.

“I’m fine.”

 Techno finally let go of Dream’s arm to ruffle his hair and Dream flicked his ears but didn’t try to pull away.

“Oh, good,” said Niki. In her arms, she held a folded green jacket. The fabric looked stiff and new. “Hi, Dream. Sorry I wasn’t here, I did get the clay, though, for the bricks and this, for you.”

She held out the jacket to Dream. After a moment of hesitation, he took it.

“I figured since it’s still cold and you could always use a good jacket to keep warm, I know.”

“Thanks,” he said, shrugging the jacket on over his shoulders. It smelled like soap and kept the chill of the fading winter out. “I’ll help you with the bricks.”

“And I guess Phil and I will go finish the foundation.”

With a grin, Techno gave Dream a light pat on his arm and the touch left behind the barest smudge of dirt on the brand new jacket. Dream started to wipe it away but stopped, shaking his head, and left it there.

The sun was low in the sky and the brilliant mix of pinks and oranges were reflected in the surface of the lake as they stood on the hill, looking down. Dream was leaning heavily against Techno’s side. He was exhausted though he wouldn’t admit it and Techno had learned not to push. Instead, he draped an arm around his shoulders and helped hold him up. The foundation was finished and the first few bricks had been placed. The spruce logs at each corner were new but they were following Dream’s design and he said it felt right. Techno hadn’t argued.

“You ready to go?” he asked.

Dream looked around. Phil and Niki had finished packing up the materials – someone would steal them, otherwise – and there was a flash of white weaving in the bamboo, Punz still patrolling the area.

“Yeah—Yeah, I think so.”

He turned to go and Techno started to follow but stopped when a flash of brown caught his eye. He tugged on Dream’s sleeve, pointing when he looked at Techno quizzically.

“Look.”

A rabbit darted out from the bush and stopped at the edge of the water, ears upright and nose twitching.

“It’s you, man.”

Techno had been expecting Dream to groan and roll his eyes and tell him off but Dream watched the rabbit, his own torn ears pointing forward as he did. A hesitant, soft smile spread across his face and wrapped his fingers around Techno’s hand. The rabbit lifted itself onto its hunches and then darted away. Dream let out a quiet laugh.

“Let’s go home,” he said.

He was dreaming.

It was a person dream and it felt warm (warm like the blanket that was tucked around him as he slept).

He sat on the porch and he could hear distant laughter coming from the cabin (maybe it sounded like Techno’s snoring) and the light poured out across the snow and the grass and sparkled off the water that wasn’t supposed to be there. It was wrong, he knew, but it felt right.

He watched the stars dart across the sky, like rabbits, and smiled.

The world felt wide again and the darkness that pushed at the edges of his dream was held back by the warmth and the laughter and the light.

It might seep in, someday. He knew that.

But for now he was dreaming and it was his and that was all that mattered.