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The next morning had been… exciting, to say the least. Tommy had been bouncing off the walls at the idea of going into town and Techno had to practically wrestle him into decent clothes to make him look presentable. They rode into town on Carl, Tommy sat right in front of Techno as his father held him steady and steered the horse on their way to town.
“So what do you want to do today, Tommy? We can do anything you want,” Technoblade hummed happily, kissing the back of Tommy’s head. Sometimes he missed times like these—just normal father-son moments. He could pretend Phil and Wilbur were still here and he was just taking Tommy on a special trip to spend time with him.
Tommy pet Carl and praised him the whole journey into town. He was alight with joy for the trip, and he didn't stop smiling for the entirety of the ride. Tommy could be a bit of a menace in public, often getting lost or causing scenes or arguing with strangers—he was a handful, to say the least. So it wasn’t too often that he got to take a trip to town.
Tommy skeetered off the horse before Techno was even done tying him to a post, already eager to explore the village. He had only been here once or twice since arriving and there was so much to do. He adjusted his little bright blue cloak and spun back around to his father.
”We have to get cookies, Pa,” he insisted, walking in place as he waited for his father to get situated. “And the toy store will most definitely have new goodies—and candies! And maybe also the bakery? And the chicken coup? The chickens must be lonely. I named a good lot of them, you see, so it’s important I make sure they’re ok,” Tommy was practically vibrating, “And we can go where you want too, Pa! We can stay here all day.”
Technoblade couldn’t help but laugh at Tommy’s eagerness as he tied Carl up and gave him a few pats. “Alright, Toms, just don’t get lost, got it?” Techno instructed as he took Tommy’s tiny hand in his own, walking with him and keeping hold so Tommy wouldn’t run off.
One thing Technoblade felt far too aware of is how adorable his Tommy is. His golden locks shine and glimmer in the sun as he bounds through the streets, excited to see anything and everything he possibly can. He was just so curious, so bright and loving. Tommy was an angel.
They ran plenty of errands. Tommy got to run around the bakery while Technoblade bartered with the owner of the armory next door. Tommy and Techno ate cookies while Tommy practically dragged Techno to the chicken coop to look at the little animals.
Tommy was breathless the entire trip. He couldn't stay still for even a second, constantly tripping and fumbling about to see the next most exciting thing. But Tommy was shy in his youth, and every time a stranger peeked out to talk to him, he couldn’t help but fumble clumsily over to his father and duck behind his legs. Techno was good at talking to people, and the villagers who get the opportunity to engage with Tommy are instantly enamored by him.
It was like the gods put stars in his eyes and the angels inked their soft whispers into his skin. Like constellations traced out into a map, his fingers were crafted from dust into a forest of secrets made from the sorrows and joys of those around him. Most people never would’ve guessed Technoblade had a son, and certainly not one that looked and acted nothing like him.
Tommy dug his fingers around in their basket of baked goods and tossed crumbs to the chickens, crouching forward with his knees pressed together as he watched them excitedly, talking aimlessly to the little chickens. The sign above the coup says Do Not Enter, but Tommy had never been very good at following instructions. He turned his head around to giggle mischievously at his father, before squeezing through the small wooden gates.
Technoblade was happy to follow Tommy around despite being forced to tote everything Tommy had begged him to buy. He loved showing Tommy off to everyone in the town, letting everyone know the beautiful little boy was his . Besides, coming into town wasn’t all bad. Technoblade was at least able to snag a new toy to use on Tommy—thank god the boy was so easily distracted.
Technoblade found himself lost in thought until he noticed Tommy squirming between the slats of the wooden gate of the chicken coop. “Hey, Tommy!” Techno shouted, “What do you think you’re doing, kid? Get back here!” he huffed, clearly not in the mood for Tommy’s antics. He didn’t want to have to chase Tommy down to get the kid to obey him, but then again, Tommy being disobedient was just another excuse for Techno to punish him.
Tommy could be seen through the chicken wire of the closed habitat, his small body hidden behind the comfortable shield of his robe. He looked to where his father was, on the other side of the netting and the wood, much too big to follow Tommy in. Tiny fingers cover his mouth and he giggles delightedly through the digits. He couldn’t see Techno’s irritation, instead deciding to enjoy the new game he’d just made.
Little wings prodded from behind his cape, flapping excitedly as chickens gathered near him, and he couldn’t help but feel kindred to them. His father will have to find something else to entertain himself with until Tommy's done chatting with his new friends, he decides. More squeaky, thrilled laughter could be heard from the little boy when he successfully managed to pet one of the chickens.
Technoblade grit his teeth, fuming with anger. How come Tommy wasn’t listening to him? Tommy always listened to him! He was always good and obedient; why wasn’t he listening?
Techno didn’t want to scare Tommy. It broke his heart to see his son anything but full of joy. Still, he couldn’t just allow Tommy to go around breaking rules. “Tommy!” Technoblade bellowed, not even caring if he caught the attention of unwanted bystanders and made a scene, “Get back here! Now!”
He was already wracking his mind for ideas of how he’ll discipline Tommy. He could always spank the boy, but that didn’t feel quite right—it provided too much opportunity for pleasure. Tommy’s punishment would be something much less enjoyable, Techno decided.
Tommy hears his father’s voice; properly enraged, and his tiny heart hammers. Had he gone and genuinely upset his Papa? The boy had only thought that they were playing a game like tag or hide and seek. He’d thought that when he emerged from the little coup his father would be laughing and would scoop him up and ruffle his hair, affectionately scolding him. When he realized there was nothing affectionate about his father’s tone, he hurried to exit the coup.
He went slowly once he was at the wooden blocks, squeezing back through timidly. He only looked up at his father shyly a few times, but otherwise kept his eyes on the ground. He could tell people were looking at them, alarmed by the thunderous call of the blood god . His cheeks were rosy pink as he stared at the ground before his father, the hood of his cape hiding the top of his head. Tiny, mittened fingers ducked behind his back, fiddling aimlessly. “I was just playin’, Papa,” he whispered, afraid of a punishment—afraid of disappointing his father. “I didn't mean to make you angry. Honest, Pa, honest!”
Technoblade took a deep breath, letting out a heavy exhale as he lifted Tommy into his arms. “Tommy,” he sighed in frustration as he carried Tommy back to where they’d tied up Carl. He wanted to be angry. He should have been angry, but instead, all Technoblade felt was relief that Tommy was safe and sound in his arms. Technoblade helped Tommy mount the horse as silence hung in the air, creating tension that was so thick it was almost palpable.
While Tommy wrestled with the discomfort of his father’s strange silence, Techno battled his own mind, saddling up behind Tommy and pulling the boy close to make sure he was safe. “Don’t run off like that, Tommy,” Techno started out of nowhere after they’d started the ride home. “Do you know what could’ve happened? You could have gotten lost! You could have gotten hurt, Tommy! What would happen then?” he huffed, struggling to keep his volume under control as he pulled Tommy even closer, protectively huddling over the boy.
“Nothin’ happened, though!” Tommy whined, kicking his legs weakly in annoyance as he was squeezed against Techno’s chest, “I was safe, Pa! I was just saying hi to the chickens! I was gonna come right back, I promise!!” the young boy stressed his words, looking up over his shoulder at Techno with big, pleading eyes as he tried to get his Papa to understand just how genuine he was being. He hadn’t meant to be bad! His Papa was just getting mad over nothing!
“It could have, Tommy!” Technoblade shouted, his voice so loud even Carl reared for a moment, frightened by Techno’s assertiveness. The man took a deep breath, sighing as he rubbed his temples. Slowly, Carl continued his trot as Tommy shrunk in on himself, biting his lip. “It could have,” Techno restated, this time in almost a whisper, “I don’t want you to get hurt, Toms. You can’t—“
A drop of liquid fell onto curly blonde locks and Tommy’s eyes widened to the size of dinner plates because Papa was crying . Tommy didn’t think he’d ever seen Technoblade cry, but something about it was strangely unsettling, stirring something deep within Tommy. Techno always took care of Tommy when he was upset, so shouldn’t Tommy do the same?
Tenderly and timidly, Tommy leaned into his father’s touch, half-wrapping an arm around Techno’s side. It was a little difficult and quite awkward due to their positioning and the angle, but it was enough for them to both register it as a hug. And Techno seemed to shatter.
He choked on a sob, nuzzling his snout against Tommy’s soft blonde hair as he let the tears fall. “I love you, Toms. Please, don’t—don’t get yourself hurt. I can’t-You can’t leave , Tommy. What am I gonna do without you?” Techno whispered, and seemingly his tears were contagious because suddenly Tommy’s blue eyes shone with crystal tears that dripped down his porcelain cheeks. The boy truly was a treasure—one that just couldn’t go to waste.
The ride home was slow. Technoblade dragged it out, taking deep breaths to calm himself down and sort things out in his mind. It felt a little unfair to let Tommy see him like this. Techno was supposed to be Tommy’s protector; he was supposed to be strong, not vulnerable. And over something so trivial, as well. At first, Techno had been planning to punish Tommy for his misbehavior, but now that was the last thing on his mind. The poor kid was just too precious and good-hearted for Techno to hurt.
Technoblade rode Carl into the stable once they arrived home. After getting down himself, Techno helped Tommy down from the horse and locked up the stable. He took Tommy’s hand in his own as they made their way back to the house, silence looming over them ominously.
When Techno unlocked the door and opened it for Tommy, the young boy hesitated a bit, almost like he was nervous to step inside. But it was cold out—like it always was—and Tommy knew whatever punishment Techno had for him was unavoidable, so he sighed sadly as he walked through the threshold of the house and kicked off his shoes.
Technoblade followed behind Tommy, closing and locking the front door behind them before he turned to look at Tommy. He could tell the boy was anxious, well-aware of how he’d messed up. Techno could justify giving Tommy a punishment, but it just didn’t feel right. The boy had learned his lesson, hadn’t he? Was that not enough?
A firm hand clasped down on Tommy’s shoulder in a way Techno hoped was comforting. “Don’t worry, kid. It’s alright. Just go to your room and get some rest. It’s been a long day,” he hummed, ruffling Tommy’s hair before dismissively walking off to his own room.
Tommy seemed rather surprised by Techno’s decision not to punish him. He didn’t get punished too often, but he knew this was one of those circumstances that warranted it. Had his father just taken pity on him? Had Tommy done something to convince Techno he didn’t need to be punished?
Tommy didn’t know any of the answers to his questions, but either way, he was thankful he didn’t have to face any consequences other than coming home early and being yelled at earlier. When he’d withdrawn to the privacy of his room he changed into his pajamas and climbed into bed, quickly falling asleep after all of the commotion of the day.