[An update??? This soon??? W o a h. I'm giving you guys too much content, it's only been two days.]
[TW! Mention of sexual action, sexual action, mention of consensual sex, argument, emotional manipulation??]
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"If life is a dream I want to wake up now."
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Torva was half asleep, nearly passed out in Technoblade's arms. Both of them cuddled up in his bathtub, hot water surrounding their bodies. Technoblade was awake, maybe a bit tired, but he was holding her close and tightly.
He was running his fingers through her hair, washing out any remaining product. He could feel her hold on him slowly loosening. Her chest was pressed to his, the woman resting on his lap with her arms looped around his throat, face pressed into the crook of his neck.
"You wanna go to sleep, beautiful?" He mumbled out, somewhat growing more tired himself. At least they were both clean now, though he should probably change the sheets on his bed before they pass out.
He felt her nod, and he chuckled a bit, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I hope you enjoyed yourself, I know I did." He whispered, leaning back against the edge of the tub and sighing happily. He could feel her slowly going limp in his arms, falling asleep. "Goodnight, love you." He whispered again, hearing an unintelligible mumble as a response, making him laugh softly once more. Though, it seems she was still refusing to completely fall asleep.
He placed his arms so he could lift her up, one on her back and one under her thighs. She got the idea even with her sleep addled mind, wrapping her legs around his torso to keep herself up. Technoblade pulled the plug to the bathtub, letting it drain out as he brought them out of the water. He grabbed two towels, walking out of his bathroom and into his main bedroom.
He placed Torva down on the edge of his bed, though she was barely keeping herself upright, eyes closed. He smiled softly, taking a towel and beginning to dry off her hair and body, grabbing one of his shirts and slipping it over her smaller frame. "Let me change this comforter and we can sleep, okay?" He kissed her forehead, and heard her whine a bit. He grinned instead kissing her lips and hearing her hum happily, leaning into it before he pulled away. "The things you do to me." He whispered, kissing her one last time delicately before pulling away to get dressed.
He just put on boxers, not caring enough right now to get fully into pajamas. He then opened his closet, reaching to the top shelf and pulling down a change of sheets, Torva got the idea and stood up while he changed everything, leaving the dirtied sheets on the floor to worry about tomorrow.
He grabbed her delicately again, lifting her up and laying her down on his bed. He then climbed in himself, tugging the sheets over them both and immediately bringing her close to hold. Technoblade felt Torva go limp at his touch, barely nuzzling into him before her breathing turned shallow. He deduced that she must have been exhausted, but he doesn't blame her.
Because he fell asleep moments later, ignoring the sound of Philza's wings flapping in the front yard. He had just arrived home from whatever project he was working on.
For once Technoblade didn't care, letting it all fade away as he passed out. Still holding Torva as close as he physically could as he did.
❧
When I woke up, the first thing I felt was soreness. Which was immediately followed by arms tightly holding me close, a bare chest resting and falling steadily with memories flooding back.
I pressed into him harder, and heard a short laugh from him. Apparently he was awake. "Mornin'." He said quietly, and I felt a kiss press to the top of my head. "Sleep well? Sore? I can grab a health potion."
I teasingly pushed him a bit, sighing and hearing him laugh again. "Let me wake up, dumbass." I huffed, hugging him tighter and him doing the same. "I'll take you up on that later though." I muttered.
"Alright, beautiful." His hand threaded through my hair over and over, soothing me somehow. Fingers moving around the base of my horns before running back down through my hair.
"Mmmh." I whined out, "I'll fall asleep again." I complained to Tech, only for him to continue.
"Then fall asleep, we don't have anything to do." He insisted, but I just shook my head, making myself sit up. He groaned and sat up too, watching as I reached over to his bedside table.
I opened the tiny drawer, pulling out a box of cigarettes. He made a noise of surprise, reaching over and grabbing my wrist. "Nope, not in my house, not in my bed. I don't even know when you put those in there." He grabbed the box, opening it and seeing there was only two left. "I thought you quit."
"I did I just have one every once in awhile. Sit on the porch." I sighed, grabbing it from him before he could snap them in half. "I was just gon' have one."
He frowned a bit, watching me pull one out of the box. His hair was tangled, the braid pulled out from last night. I could also see dark red scratches down his back and upper arms, I'll blame myself for those. I don't even want to know how fucked up my neck and chest are. "Fine, just one. And if I catch you smokin' more than one or two a week I'm completely cuttin' you off." He watched as I brought out a flint and steel next to where the cigarette box was, lighting one of them and inhaling.
I rested my head on his shoulder, exhaling and feeling him slide one of his hands around my back so it was resting on my waist. Pulling me closer, though it didn't take long for the hand to dip underneath the fabric of his shirt he put me in, rubbing the skin underneath. I inhaled again, glancing to him as I let out the smoke once more. "I used to smoke around you all the time." I said, remembering nights in the Arctic Empire. "You'd join me sometimes."
"It was different then, you were a stupid teenager. I fed into it." He countered, sighing. "I shouldn't have."
"You were a teenager too." I laughed, looking a bit confused.
I paused when he shook his head, looking away from me. "What you said last night during sex, you said you hated me because I'm never honest."
"It was sex, we always say things we don't mean." I knew I meant it though, I know I did. I still mean it.
He looked back to me now, grabbing my hand holding the cigarette and forcing it up, he smoked it from my fingers. I watched him inhale deeply, letting go of me and allowing my hand to fall back to where it was. As he exhaled he spoke words I never expected. "You meant it, I know you. You don't know me."
I sat up more, suddenly very awake. No longer in my post-sleep post-sex mindset. "Then let me know you." I inhaled again from the cigarette, and he looked down at me with half-lidded eyes.
"You'll learn things about me when you need to, but I can't let you go thinkin' half these things anymore." He looked hesitant, leaning down and kissing me quickly. Forcing my mouth open to slip his tongue against mine before pulling away. "When you met me," As he spoke smoke billowed from his lips, the smoke I had inhaled. "I was already older than you can fathom, my dear. Blood has been spilt since the beginnin' of time, and war has existed since before the Gods could think. I am the God of Blood, a God of war, I've always been here. I never die because I am needed to support death and she is needed to support me, she will never collect my soul because she has decided as such. We are all at mercy to her, but at the same time she is at mercy to me."
Part of me already knew that, part of me has known Phil and Tech were around the same age. Part of me knew that Tech wasn't some 'new' God, that he's been lying since I met him. I've always known that the 'teenager' I met all those years ago was older than I could comprehend, he was too wise, too experienced. Phil and Tech were too close for them to only have met mere years before me, they had too many stories to tell and were too comfortable turning their back on the other; completely comfortable a knife wouldn't end up in it.
"Then why do you care about me?" I had millions of questions I could have asked, and I knew he wanted to sit here with me until the sun burnt out answering every last one. Yet that was the first one that spilled past my lips. "You've known me for ten years, ten years of what could be millions. Why do you care about me." I then paused in thought again, even more confused. "And you looked like a teenager when I met you, you looked my age."
He pressed his forehead to mine, lifting my hand again and taking another inhale of that stupid cigarette. "Those are two of those questions that will come in time, but now all you need to know is that I love you, and always will." He smiled softly, smoke intermingling between us both. "I'm at your mercy, and I will never stop. For you are the Grim Reaper, and I am your humble servant."
"If I'm a minor Goddess of Death, wouldn't that mean I'm at your mercy? I'd be collecting the souls you create after all, Blood and War result in death, those are souls Kristin and I gather." I questioned him quietly, beginning to thread my fingers through his tangled hair with my hand not holding the cigarette.
"Kristin is a wonderful woman, but she has Phil. He's her Angel, I have you." He pressed his lips against mine once more, and as he kissed me breathless I felt him take the cigarette from my fingers. Leaving me without it as he pulled away. "You've been my reaper since the day I met you, since the day you ran into me in that stupid kingdom."
I snickered under my breath, watching him inhale yet again from the cigarette we seemed to be passing back and forth. "I was on a mercenary job." I said slyly.
"A thirteen year old on a mercenary job isn't somethin' you see often." He teased, blowing smoke in my face. "You were huntin' down your bounty, and I ran into you. You were stoppin' me from bein' number one, people wanted to hire ya' more than me."
"I called you a dumb pig, didn't I?" I asked, he placed the cigarette on my lips, letting me take a hit from it. He took it away after he watched me inhale.
"Ya' did. Ironic since you're the one that quite literally ran into me, Phil and I turned a corner and you slammed right into me." I kissed him again after he stopped speaking, letting smoke travel from my mouth to his again. He happily complied, licking into my mouth before pulling away, letting the smoke fall from his lips. "Last time I smoke with you." He whispered.
"Mmmm, why? I think we're having fun." I teased a bit, noticing the cigarette was practically gone at this point. I slipped the bud back into the box.
"Because it makes me want to kiss you, and that makes me spill all my stupid secrets." He lifted a hand, running his thumb across my bottom lip. "Don't worry your pretty little head about half these things, okay? We have all the time we want to figure everythin' out, literally."
"Why can't you tell me now?" He pulled away so his forehead wasn't against my own, his red eyes shining in the sunlight beginning to stream in through the windows.
"It jus' wouldn't be the right time."
"When will be the right time?" I know I sounded desperate, but I think I actually was.
"I don't quite know yet."
I couldn't do anything but accept that. But I appreciated the soft apologetic kisses down my neck and shoulders in exchange.
There was a steady knock at the door downstairs, and I immediately knew it was Phil. "Tech-" I went to get up, but he stopped me and got up himself, smiling.
"I got it, I'll bring back up a health potion for ya'." He went over to his closet, just grabbing a pair of sweatpants and slipping them on. "Be right down!" He called out, unlocking and opening the bedroom door to run out.
"Bring back water too?" I asked right before he left.
"You got it, beautiful." He grinned, closing the door behind himself and sprinting to the front of his cabin.
I just curled back up under the covers, leaving the almost empty cigarette box unattended. He wouldn't like it if a smoked another anyway.
❧
Technoblade opened the door, seeing Phil standing happily at the entrance, looking up at him.
"Hey, mat-..." The blond looked up at Technoblade, then his appearance. Deep red scratches visible on his back as he turned around to close the door after Phil entered. "Forget something?"
Technoblade looked confused, at least until Phil gestured at his own back. "Uh-" He cleared his throat, smiling awkwardly.
"Fun night?" Phil asked, smiling in a teasing manner.
"Fun night." Technoblade parroted, suddenly wishing he put on a shirt. "What did you need?" He asked, curious as to why Phil was in his home. Though he did consider any home of his Phil's as well.
Technoblade went into the kitchen, opening a chest quickly and grabbing a health potion, hearing Phil snort behind him as he saw. "I wanted to ask if you guys wanted to train with me a bit, but I don't think that's a good idea now."
"Oh shut it." Technoblade laughed, leaning against the kitchen counter as Phil walked over. They were silent for a moment, enjoying each other's presence.
There was a faint squawking of crows outside, the occasional yip from an Arctic Fox followed by the growl of a wolf. It was calming in a way, until Technoblade broke it.
"I told her." He said, not explaining much.
Phil choked on his own spit, looking to Technoblade in shock. "Fuckin' what?! You told her what?!"
Technoblade pursed his lips. "Shut up, I just told her that you and me around the same age. I'm not fuckin' twenty three."
"Well I mean you're twenty three if you add on a shit ton of zeros!" Phil threw his hands in the air, pacing a bit. "Holy shit, mate, you gave me a heart attack for a second there!"
Technoblade looked a bit sheepish, shaking his head. "Ehh- didn't say anythin' besides that. Plus she was already catchin' on about the whole age thing. She isn't stupid, Phil, we know this."
"Then tell her everything." Phil said, voice suddenly a bit more serious. "She has the right to know, I've said this-"
"A lot, you've said it a lot. I know you won't tell her yourself, it's an empty threat. Let me do this in my own way and time." Technoblade raised his voice a bit before quieting down, remembering Tia was upstairs. "Tia-"
"Torva." Phil corrected immediately, looking a tad pissed off. "It's Torva. And this is her life, so get with it. She isn't yours-"
"She is." Technoblade corrected, Phil gritting his teeth. "She's mine, she's going to stay mine. And I'm hers. We both like it that way, and you know I'm right. Just like Kristin is yours. How are Tia and I any different?"
"Torva." Phil said yet again, and what started as friendly banter had devolved so quickly. They knew their friendship wouldn't even be dented from this, it would be the exact same- perhaps stronger hours from now after they both cool off. They probably won't even bother to talk about it. "And it's different because Kristin and I fucking know everything about each other and our situation, you are hiding everything from Tia."
Technoblade scoffed, smirking. "Torva." He corrected Phil, the blond looking taken aback before putting a hand over his mouth. "Well I'm going back upstairs with this health potion and water." He quickly grabbed a water bottle. "For the woman I love." He glared at Phil for a moment, but they both knew there was no real venom behind it.
"If you loved her you wouldn't be doing this." Phil instantly regretted it the second it left his mouth, and even Technoblade paused, staring at Phil in shock.
"You don't mean that." Technoblade said cautiously, and Phil gulped.
"I do."
"Go take a walk, Phil."
"I will."
Technoblade watched, upset as Phil began to leave his house. "I love you." The Blood God said shortly, right before Phil walked out. "You're my best friend. For you the world, Phil. I'll say it as many times as I need."
The Angel turned around, just a little to glance to the man. "If you love me, and if you love her, you'd tell the fuckin' truth, mate." He exhaled slowly, opening the door. "I love you, I'll never leave your side when you need me."
"I need you." Technoblade said immediately. "Right now, I need you. I always need you."
"I need you to be honest with yourself and the woman you say you love." Phil argued right back, walking out and slamming the door behind him.
Technoblade flinched.
He couldn't remember the last time he's done that. He grew past flinching so long ago he couldn't pinpoint it.
Though Phil changing something about him in a matter of seconds wasn't something new.
❧
I watched as Tech entered the room, holding two bottles. He was smiling softly, handing them to me for me to drink. "What did Phil want?" I asked, stretching a bit and beginning to sip the health potion.
"Ah- nothing much. Just some extra redstone and honey, new project." Tech lied through his teeth, and I watched as he did it.
He forgot demons have heightened hearing.
This is one of the memories I now stored away for future use, knowing one day I'd need it. "Mmm, he is always working." I handed him back the now empty bottle, and he placed it on the bedside table.
"Sure is." Tech crawled back into bed, letting me lean against him once more. "So what do you want to do today? Like I said before my schedule is free."
Part of me felt just a bit of dread with him suddenly, the thought he's hiding some insane secret poking in my head. Whatever it was it also has to somehow be connected to Foolish, at least I assume so. With what happened back in the desert at my ceremony.
"I think I was just going to train a bit." I decided on, looking up at Tech again.
"You sure? Health potion fix you up?" He moved so he was over me again, caging me in under him. "You could just stay in bed with me again."
I rolled my eyes, hearing him snort before rolling off of me, laughing. "I don't want you to think this is going to be a habit." I countered, grinning teasingly. The atmosphere lighthearted and somehow calming, yet at the same time my mind is running circles about what I overheard.
"Why not?" He nudged me playfully.
"We aren't in a relationship, dumbass." I got out from under the covers, preparing to get dressed. Taking a swig of the water he got me before putting it next to the empty health potion. "And friends with benefits gets tiring if it happens too often. I'm fine with occasional if that's what you want, sex just isn't something I exactly seek out commonly."
He shrugged, watching as I sorted through the closet, finding some of my clothes and beginning to get dressed. Just a plain red shirt and some black jeans Eret probably made me, simple enough for a lazy day. "I know this may be forward, and it doesn't have to happen right now." He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he hesitantly looked to me. "I know you said we aren't in a relationship, but would you be interested in-"
"No."
I cut him off immediately, my heart racing and my anger rising at the mention of it. "Why. I know you love me romantically, I love you romantically, this can work. We've been dodging this issue for years now, before we weren't in the right headspace as individuals and now we are. We're in a good place, Tia, finally we can make this work."
I let out a long sigh, running a hand through my tangled hair as I began to walk out. Grabbing the jewelry I left on his night stand before doing so, then picking up my dress and corset discarded on the ground. "That's why."
"What?" He asked, confused.
Well, I wanted to save this for later. But no time like the present, right? "Because you still call me Tia for example."
He looked taken aback. "That's it? I can fix that-"
"It's not just that Tech." I had to hold myself back from raising my voice, I know it wouldn't help the situation. "You're right, I'm not stupid. And I am catching on, so get your shit together or one of these days I'll find out whatever this is on my own. Tech, if I have to be the one to dig this shit up, whatever it may be, I'll be so pissed you have no fucking idea."
He stood up now probably making the connection that I overheard him and Phil, watching helplessly as I opened his bedroom door, ready to leave. "We were havin' such a good mornin'." He sounded distraught.
"I don't think we can have truly those until this gets worked out, we both know that." I took a step out, looking back at him. Messy pink hair I somewhat had calmed down with my hands, frustrated red eyes, though I know it was directed at himself and not me, stiff posture as he stood unknowing what move he could possibly make in this situation. "They say 'Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned.', Tech. And I'm getting real close to that point."
I closed the door behind me as I basically ran out, barely remembering to grab my shoes from the banquet. I didn't put them on though, they were too complicated to be efficient. I just ran across the porch barefoot, going into my cabin I hadn't even slept in for months.
I've been in Tech's.
It didn't even feel like mine anymore, just a guest house. Tech's house felt like home, not this.
I threw the stuff in my arms onto my couch as I walked by, suddenly comforted by and hating that my clothes smelt just like him because they were in his closet. We made progress sure, he finally admitted he's as old as Phil, that he isn't some twenty three year old recently created God.
But he's still hiding so much. And it fucking hurts.
Does he not trust me enough? Am I not someone he can confide in? "Am I not enough?" I said it aloud, shocked by the words that left my own mouth. Of course I'm enough, I'm the fucking Grim Reaper and he says he loves me-
'But he doesn't tell you shit.' That small voice in the back of my head spoke up, and I went to go upstairs into my room, to pass out and forget today happened.
Until I heard a loud crash from my basement.
My eyes widened, hand reaching for an axe hung up on my wall. I had left my scythe at Tech's, but a netherite axe will do just fine in case.
I grabbed my communicator from the pile I threw on the couch as a last resort, opening my basement door and slowly making my way down the stairs. Brain flickering away from the drama that just ensued and to the possible intruder in my basement.
I had my axe at the ready, only to see Ranboo. He was standing silently in my basement, staring at my wall, my blank wall. I hadn't hung anything up down here yet, my upstairs floors had various mythological centered paintings. My basement was just storage.
He had knocked over a chest full of sticks and firewood, and I could see that he wasn't dressed for the Arctic. He didn't have a coat on, let alone proper shoes. Just a white button up and slacks with black socks, his button up's sleeves rolled up to his elbows. "Kiddo?" I asked, concerned at why he was here. I don't know how he even got in, all my doors and windows were locked. "You okay? You must be freezing."
He didn't even react, still staring blankly at my basement wall, stood in the center of the room. "Ranboo?" I asked again, "You alright?" I placed a hand on his shoulder, putting my axe down on the floor. He didn't flinch like usual, tail drooped down against the floor, snow clumped in the fur. He must have walked here in only socks then with no coat. Trudged through the snow.
I turned him to look at me, he complied limply and let me move him like a doll. It was then I saw his eyes were completely a deep dark purple, face blank with his mouth slightly open, some enderman-like particles flying around his face. "Holy shit-" I stared at him, cupping his face and turning him either way, looking for injuries. I found none. "How did you get in my house? I didn't see any sign of someone entering." I continued to question him, and yet it seemed like he didn't even hear me.
I did the only thing I could think of, I took out my communicator.
"Torva?" Tubbo questioned, and I could hear him yawn. Then a snort from the other end, presumably Micheal. He was in a rowdy toddler phase lately, keeping the two husbands up late at night. I've been getting updates when either man was able, Tubbo was my son in law after all, and Micheal my grandson. "Everything alright?"
"Uh-" I looked to the unresponsive Ranboo once more. "No, I wouldn't say that. Ranboo... he's in my house."
"Oh, that's good. I hadn't heard from him the last few days, I was beginning to worry. His mining trips usually last quite a while though, or when he decides to hang out in that place down there with you three." Tubbo said cheerily, and I could momentarily hear muffled baby talk to Micheal before he spoke again. "Is there an issue?"
"I don't know how to begin, he's just? Standing there? Staring into space, doesn't seem to be responding to me either. His eyes are all purple and weird too... with enderman particles everywhere." I sighed, looking around my storage area again. "I don't even know how he got into my house."
"Oh no... okay I'm sorry you got involved in this. He's been enderwalking more often lately." Tubbo sounded upset, and I could hear him beginning to put Micheal in his room over the line. The hybrid grabbing his coat and boots, I could hear the rattling and scuffling to figure that much out.
"Enderwalking?"
"Yeah, it's what he calls it anyway. Don't know too much about it, he kind of keeps it under wraps. I don't think he wants to worry me." He sighed, and I could hear the front door open and close. "All I know is that I've had to walk him back home a few times now when he's gotten like this, he never explains what's happening though when he comes to. I don't even think he's entirely sure. If you send me the coords I'll head over and grab him, bring him home for a good nights rest until he snaps out of it."
I pursed my lips, looking to my son yet again. Only more worried. He's just a teenager, a stupid teenager in love with an adopted son. Maybe he's gotten roped into the wrong crowd a few times, sure, but what secrets could he possibly have to hide in the first place? "I'll meet you halfway in the Nether, I wouldn't want you seen by Phil and Tech. Keep your marriage a secret still, for your safety." I grabbed Ranboo's hand, beginning to lead him back up the stairs. "He's not wearing proper gear to walk in the snow, so I'll throw a coat and some boots on him to borrow. I'll pick them up next time I'm visiting Mikey."
"Thank you so much, Torva. Seriously. It means a lot." I could hear Tubbo's smile, and I sat Ranboo on the couch as I went to grab spare winter clothing. "I was wrong about you, I'll apologize one day when I can find the words. You're a wonderful mother and grandmother, I hope you can stay in our lives. As a family."
"You have nothing to apologize for. I'm just glad we can find common ground." I assured him, digging through my closet with my communicator awkwardly pressed to my ear with my shoulder.
"Thank you for protecting our family then, I'm glad you are willing to keep it a secret." Tubbo changed his wording, I was running downstairs now with a set of boots that should fit Ranboo well enough to last the trek.
"It's nothing, seriously." I laughed a bit, putting the shoes over Ranboo's socked feet. Then going to find a coat.
If Tech and Phil can keep secrets, so can I.