Chapter Text
Even if Skeppy assures Bad he’s fine now and he’ll be back to his old self in no time, Bad still remains skeptical and fusses over him. They have to compromise: Two more days of bed rest before Bad lays off completely and doesn’t ask questions.
It’s a boring two days but Skeppy’s has had worse. Not the first time Bad has gotten this way over him and it won’t be the last judging from his more reckless history. But, for the most part all he has to do is sit there and assure Bad that yes, he’s fine, he’s not dying. He never discloses what the sickness actually was so thus, Bad continues to call it Nether Sickness, even if he knows on some level that it’s not.
When Bad and Ranboo can’t keep him company during his mandatory bed rest, one of Ranboo’s cats does instead. Jjeffery in particular spends a lot of time curled up on the bed either in his lap or beside him. The loud purring against his chest when the cat lays there is therapeutic in its own right. Skeppy sees why Ranboo likes the cats so much in the first place, it’s harder to be stressed out when there’s a cat on you, purring away like a motor.
Eventually his short resting period is up and just in time too. Skeppy receives a message to someone he’s been meaning to contact in the first place asking if he wants to go on a short adventure to explore a strange structure. Which Skeppy eagerly takes him up on, ready to get out of the house and stretch his legs.
Bad is still hesitant to let him go but doesn’t stop him from leaving in the end. Skeppy can feel his worry even as he walks through the portal but shakes it off and sets his sights ahead of himself.
—
Skeppy raises an eyebrow as the door finally opens, crossing his arms and directing his attitude towards the one in front of him. “You didn’t meet me at the portal. Rude. I had to guess where to go. Never actually been here before.”
“Oh no, you had to dust off your brain before using it? What a disaster.”
“Fuck off.” He replies with a grin. “Can I come in? It’s fucking freezing out here.”
He steps back, inviting him inside. Skeppy shuffled closer to the running fireplace once he’s in, then takes a good long look at his host. Technoblade looks almost the same as ever. Royal clothing, sharp tusks, blood red eyes, Skeppy’s crown fitted on his head- the whole nine. The only thing different is-
“That scar is new.” Skeppy nods towards the rather alarming scar on the back of his head. It looks like someone tried to split his head open and patched it back together with gold. Techno grunts.
“Got executed. Wouldn’t recommend it.”
“I thought Technoblade never dies?”
“I came back. Didn’t count towards a life so technically I didn’t.”
“Oh, so it was a failed execution.”
“No. Not failed.”
Techno doesn’t elaborate so Skeppy lets the subject drop. He has a few scars of his own, he gets it. Techno usually was pretty resilient to talking about anything that hit a nerve anyways and Skeppy can tell that this hits it, even if he’s good at brushing it off like it was a Tuesday.
His new place is nice. Techno was never one for decoration, always opting for efficiency and only using the space he was given for storage. Now his house actually looked like- well, a house. Livable. Cozy.
“We’ll head out in a minute, just need to put on the rest of my armor.” Techno tells him, giving a quick sweep of the house with his arm. “Make yourself at home in the meantime.” Then he pauses like he’s remembering something and says, “Want some golden apples?”
Skeppy eyes widen slightly. “Gapples and you’re gonna be wearing your decked out armor? Should I be... Worried where we’re going?”
“Dunno. Haven’t scoped the place out much. Wanted backup. You want ‘em or not?”
Skeppy accepts because he’s not gonna pass up free stuff, especially something as valuable as golden apples. He expects maybe three or four at most, not for Techno to dump nearly an arm’s worth into his unsuspecting hands.
Skeppy squawks when a few tumble to the floor, awkwardly trying to pick them up while his arms are still full. “Dude, what?” He takes a moment to stuff them into his bag the best he can, then spins around and shoots Techno a bewildered look. “Uh... What is this?”
“Had extras.” Techno shrugs like giving away over a dozen golden apples is a normal thing to do. And sure, Techno likes to give gifts but not in bursts like this. “Made a bunch awhile ago but the demand for them hit rock bottom almost immediately after I did. They’ve been crowding my chest, take ‘em.”
Skeppy has several questions but can’t seem to voice any of them. The biggest being ‘Since when would Techno want to get rid of perfectly good supplies?’
Golden apples don’t spoil. They might be made of real apples that do, but as soon as they’re fused with gold in order to obtain healing properties, they last until they’re eaten. They could outlive the world- they’re the best food to stock up on in the event of a disaster.
Techno knows this- he’s the one who told Skeppy in the first place. It had been one of his ‘Wilderness survival training’ lessons he gave Skeppy back when he was just a kingdom-less prince with no experience in the real world. He burned them into Skeppy’s head, giving him random pop quizzes to see if he actually retained the information and as annoying as it was, it stuck.
So why is Techno “Mr. You Can Never Be Overprepared” Blade giving away precious supplies like this? And for no reason too- unless they really are about to go somewhere dangerous but Techno would’ve told him ahead of time.
He has to know. Something’s up. “Did… You make them for the Doomsday thing?”
“No. Tommy ate an absurd amount of them when he lived here. Kept running out.” Techno replies offhandedly, as if it’s a common known fact. Which explains a few things but-
Oh.
“Oh.” Skeppy blinks, the answer hitting him all at once. “Then he ran off and you had nothing to do with them anymore.”
“‘xactly.” Techno huffs, and Skeppy knows from the sound of it that that’s the end of the conversation.
The other question is answered through the implications of the situation alone. He doesn’t want a reminder.
Skeppy messes around the living room while Techno finishes strapping on his armor. He pokes his head inside a few chests but doesn’t take anything, even if he’s briefly tempted by a potion he’s never seen before. ‘Potion of the Turtle Master’ is what Techno calls it.
“Thanks for coming.” Techno says as he finally reaches his boots. “Wasn’t sure if you were available and didn’t want to go alone.”
“No problem, dude. I could use a good adventure anyway. Surprised you didn’t go with Philza- doesn’t he live up here with you?”
Something uncertain passes over his face and he glances up at the floor above him. His next words are only just loud enough for him to hear, “Phil hasn’t been feelin’ good. Hasn’t left the house much since Doomsday.”
Techno leaves his netherite helmet behind and motions for Skeppy to follow once the door is open. They trudge through the snow, Techno seemingly eager to get out of the house but glances back at the cabin more than a few times.
“Phil is sick?” Skeppy asks at last, once he’s sure they’re out of range. For whatever reason, Techno doesn’t want to talk about Philza around the man himself.
Skeppy thinks he’s only heard of Philza getting sick once. Bird flu if he was remembering correctly. Techno’s aprehnsion made him mentally cross out the theory however. No way this was about bird flu.
“Not physically sick.” Techno answers at last. “Can’t say the same for his mental health. Wasn’t great before after what happened to Wilbur but it’s gotten worse. He rarely leaves the cabin these days.” Techno hesitates but cautiously adds, “I thought Doomsday would help. He thought it would too- he wanted L’Manburg gone as much as I did but once it was over… I guess it didn’t help as much as he was hoping. Not that I blame him either. It was a success but…”
“Didn't feel good?”
Techno doesn’t answer right away. Skeppy thinks he won’t until he utters a soft, “No. Not like I thought it would.”
Techno clears his throat and quickly adds on. “But eh. Could be worse. How have you been, Skeppy?”
It’s a blatant topic change but Skeppy decides not to press his luck. Techno spilled his heart out enough. He merely shrugs in response.
“Could be worse.” He echoes. “You know Ranboo? He’s been staying with me and Bad. Pretty good kid.”
Techno nods in agreement. “Phil and I were wondering how he was after Doomsday… Phil planned to check on him but uh. He wasn’t feeling so good so I took him home. Probably for the best anyways. Not in any rush to have another teenager live up here.”
There’s a strain to his words. The weight from his bag reminds him of the golden apples.
He had been so eager to get rid of them.
“You miss him?”
Techno doesn’t answer.
—
Techno calling the place a ‘Strange Structure’ is an understatement. He found a place to get in under an igloo, a ladder extending to the bottom that looks shockingly wellkept. The second Skeppy steps foot inside, a chill passes over him in a wave and he has a strange sensation that follows.
The place is covered head to toe in stone brick, some of it overgrown with moss, others cracked, and some both. In its prime, it might’ve been impressive but now, Skeppy looks at it all and it just reminds him of…
Of…
(Fire crackles and consumes the banners upon the wall. The roof comes down, not all at once but slowly until there’s nothing left. It’s so loud- so incredibly loud- and he stares at the crystal chandelier, now shattered on the floor, and no longer thinks it is beautiful. None of this is beautiful anymore. It is fear and it is chaos and it is his whole world turning to ash.)
Of things he would rather forget.
“Hm.” Techno lights a torch, swiping it around them to scare the silverfish away. Tiny or not, Skeppy knows from experience that they can leave a nasty mark if they sink their teeth into your skin. Techno does a quick sweep of the place and frowns to himself. “...Bigger than I expected.”
Skeppy strikes up a torch of his own and cautiously peers down one of the hallways. His eyes immediately widen at how far down it goes, along with the splinters off into other halls. “No shit.” He echoes in a hushed tone. The doorways are lined with iron bars but the thing that makes him pause is the lack of webs.
No spiders- he can’t decide if that’s a relief or unsettling. Maybe both. Lack of spiders means something else lives here. Not just zombies or skeletons, they wouldn’t care.
“You sure this place is abandoned?” Skeppy calls back to Techno.
“Thought it was. Haven’t seen anybody else around here. Why?”
“Other than the moss and silverfish, it’s kinda… Clean?”
Techno pauses but grunts in agreement once he does another inspection of the place. “Something might live here… Keep your guard up.”
“This place already gives me the creeps, you don’t have to tell me twice.” Skeppy follows him as he presses down the hall he glanced down. There are a few torches on the walls but none of them are lit, nor look like they have been for a long time. Skeppy touches his torch to them to reignite them again.
“What are you doin’?” Techno gives him a puzzled look.
“It’s- bread crumbs.” Skeppy answers. “For the way back.”
“I’ll remember.”
“How sure are you that you can remember?”
Techno thinks about it for a minute, then coughs awkwardly. "...Carry on."
Skeppy doesn’t hold back his snicker and continues to light them as they pass by.
Most of the halls seem to lead into more halls. It feels more like a maze than anything- but there are a few rooms they stop at.
One looks like a jail cell but it’s empty and there’s a gap in the bars from where something broke out. They pause, shoot an uneasy look at each other, and continue.
Another has a broken fountain- no longer running and half of the bowl has crumbled. Not broken, thankfully, Skeppy doesn’t need anymore fuel for his nerves. He already wants to bolt the way they came and never look back.
Then there’s the library, the most interesting bit yet. Two stories, rows upon rows of books and Techno and Skeppy both thumb through a couple in an attempt to find information. However, the books seem to be written in various languages that Skeppy can’t read. He recognizes Ender as one of them but it isn’t until he’s about to give up that he finds one he can actually understand.
“Techno!” He calls, and Techno peeks over his shoulder. “Apparently this one is a translation of another one in Golemish so I can actually read it.”
“What’s it say?” His usual monotone voice has an edge of excitement to it.
Skeppy scans the introduction page and chapter guide. “It’s about other dimensions and deities I think? Kinda wordy but it’s translated pretty decently.”
Techno considers this for a moment. “Would you mind reading through it a bit while I do another sweep through the place? I know it’s kinda boring but-”
Skeppy waves him off. “Yeah, yeah, I got it. I can read a bit, it’s not a big deal.”
Techno mumbles his gratitude before returning to his search with a newfound energy to him. It isn’t hard to miss that the discovery of one book they can actually read through brings hope for more. They still have little idea of where they are anyways, and despite their initial reservations, still have no other evidence that something or someone else is still here. Only that there once was.
Skeppy doesn’t mind reading a good book but this one is far from his first pick. If he thought the introduction was bad, the rest of it proves to be just as convoluted as it was. Whoever wrote the book is passionate about it though, which makes it bearable.
Skeppy skips through the parts about the dimensions he knows- he’s familiar with the Overworld and the Nether as he lives in one and has frequented the other. The bits about ‘The Ripple’ or the dimension where angels, some aetherlings, and demons like Bad normally originate from is something he pays the most attention to. He’s always made an effort to learn about demons, even if Bad told him time and time again that he didn’t have to, but he wants to.
He scans most of the rest- something about a place representing a subconscious world, another talking about an ‘Inbetween’ whatever that means, and a place of the deities and after life.
Skeppy comes to a stop at the next section of the book which is-…
Blank.
He’s not even halfway through the book so it’s not the end of it. And, upon further investigation, Skeppy flips forward and at one point, the book continues on like nothing is wrong. There’s just this weird pause where an entire section’s worth of pages are just blank in the middle of the book.
Skeppy flips back to the chapter guide, then the introduction to the dimensions portion of the book, and his eyebrows furrow.
“Uh… Techno?” Techno looks up from a book. Skeppy waves him over and waits until he’s placed down the book and rejoins his side. “Noticed something weird. It’s like, uhh…”
Skeppy scans and points out an excerpt in the introduction. “Right here, it mentions that there’s Seven Dimensions as far as we know, right?”
Techno nods. “Standard. Phil taught me about that a long time ago. Said it was important.”
“And… You wouldn’t happen to remember the names of those dimensions, would you?”
“He made me memorize them.” Techno replies, amused by the memory. “There’s uh… The Overworld, The Nether, The Lucid, The Aether, The Ripple and-… One of them is either called 'The Inbetween' or 'The Other Side'… Something like that.”
Skeppy pauses. “Are those separate dimensions or the same?”
“The same- two sides of the same coin or something.” Techno rubs the back of his neck. “Phil always said that anyways… Ah- I think as a whole he called them ‘The Pause’ as a whole so I’ll stick with that.”
“Got it... You only named six.”
“No I didn’t. The Overworld, The Nether, The Lucid, The Aether, The Ripple, The Pause-...” Techno stops abruptly looking positively dumbfounded. He repeats the order, counting on his fingers but stopping at six once again.
Techno mumbles to himself, repeating it over and over again, then letting out frustrated noises before stopping to look at Skeppy again. “...I can’t remember. I’m certain there are seven but I can’t remember the last one.”
Skeppy grimaced and began flipping through the book. “Well, I think it was here but whatever information was on it before is just gone now.”
Skeppy reaches the blank section and shows it to Techno as proof, then shows the parts that are perfectly untouched before and after it. Techno stares with increasing intensity.
“It’s not ripped out or damaged- doesn’t look replaced either…” Techno murmurs, mostly to himself but loud enough for Skeppy to hear it. “Almost as if-”
“It’s been wiped clean?” Skeppy finishes. “Yeah, it’s weird.”
Techno looks as if he has more to say but a sudden call makes them both freeze.
It’s a voice but it sounds- wrong. Distorted, twisted, echoed- like the real voice has been altered so many times that the remains of it is something very, very not right.
And it heard them. Called out for them- but not by name. Skeppy hasn’t the slightest what it said but hearing the voice alone makes him want to run. And judging from how the blood has drained out of Techno’s face, he isn’t alone in thinking so. In the many years he’s known him, Skeppy can count a very few times were Techno looked truly and honestly afraid.
(He stands on a stage holding a crossbow. He looks from the crowd and back and Skeppy instantly feels a spike of terror at the familiar look on his face- petrified, alone in his head, at a loss, and his eyes glowing red as if a presence inside of him has already sealed his fate and cries 'blood for the blood god'- and Skeppy does the only thing he can think of to do, grabbing Bad by the wrist and gets out of the way before they become a casualty.)
There’s a faint relief that his eyes don’t glow like that now. Only fear, no other presence.
Techno turns towards the door, sucks in a breath, and signals Skeppy to follow his lead. He draws his axe- Skeppy does the same with his sword- and they exit the library to find the source.
—
The voice calls out again, clearer this time and Skeppy thinks he can hear whoever is on the other end say, ‘Hello?’
Techno shoots Skeppy a glance, expression firm. One that tells him ‘If it gets bad, don’t hesitate, just run’ and Skeppy returns it with an understanding nod. Not the first time they’ve done this, and hopefully not the last thing they'll ever do.
The trail leads them to tunnels filled with light. Torches are lit, the stonebrick isn’t just filled with moss and vines, but a few flowers- purple namely- grow surprisingly vibrantly between the cracks.
Another call- close this time. At the end of the hall, there’s a sharp turn into the unknown and Skeppy has a sinking feeling that’s exactly where they need to go. The look on Techno’s face gives him the same answer.
He doesn’t want to go but Techno has always stepped towards it and as scared as he is, he’s not leaving him behind. Skeppy follows his lead, close behind as they turn the corner and-
Green, smile face mask, looming figure-
His fight-or-flight instincts kick off and Skeppy swings with a yelp. Dream dodges easily, backing up. He stops a few feet away instead, peering at the two of them curiously. One pair of arms clasp together while the other pair are held up to show he means no harm-
Wait.
Since when did Dream have four arms?
“I mean no harm.” That’s-Not-Dream says in the same twisted voice- almost Dream’s but not quite, but when they speak again, the resemblance fades into something else completely. A deep voice with a humming that follows all of his words. “Apologies if I startled you.”
They almost look like Dream at first. Long, green robe, smile face mask, tall, vaguely threatening despite the fact that they haven’t made a threat at all. At first glance, it’s easy to be fooled, but then there’s other aspects. The four arms, the fact that their fingers are too sharp to be human-passing, and he hovers just above the ground, the robe just barely brushing it.
“You’re not Dream.” Techno blurts out at last, sounding just as flabbergasted as Skeppy feels.
“No. I am not.” He says, and Skeppy doesn’t have a chance to get used to this eerily Dream-like figure because all of a sudden, their form shifts and twists into something new entirely. “There is one who takes comfort in my form looking like him, but I sense neither of you feel the same way.”
The four arms, clawed hands, and the hovering all stays the same, but almost everything else changes. The cloak shifts to a darker shade of green; the mask melts and in its place, are one too many eyes, almost all of which are closed, and a mouth full of sharp teeth; and their already tall form grows another foot at least, making them almost touch the ceiling.
They pause, then a mask forms over their face, cracked deliberately to form an X and what looks like a bow or a D- Skeppy isn’t sure which.
“Is this better?” They ask. The question feels earnest enough, but even so Skeppy doesn’t know how to respond. Techno must not either because silence follows and he takes it as an answer. “It’ll have to. Come.”
They sweep an arm before turning back the way they came. He leaves no room for conversation without following them, and with an uneasy glance towards each other, Techno and Skeppy hesitantly follow behind.
They are led into a room unlike any other that they’ve seen in the maze of a place they’re in. It looks nicer and more decorated than anywhere else for one: plenty more flowers kept in every crevice of the place; a makeshift bed that looks neat, tidy, and hardly used; a few chests; and a bookshelf filled to the brim with books.
But in the middle of it all, is a strange… Something. It’s got a cream colored base but a deep greenish aqua top with a slot for something to be placed in the middle, and a bunch of them make some sort of framed structure.
“Weird table.” Techno comments when he lays eyes on it. “Never seen a material like that before.”
“It’s rare, few left in the world.” The stranger tells them. They lean a bit closer. “Do you… Recognize it, perhaps?”
“...Not in the slightest. Just a weird table to me.”
Skeppy murmurs in agreement.
“Hm. Typical but disappointing nonetheless.”
“Right.” Techno squints. “Who are you?”
“Ah. Forgive me, I’ve forgotten my manners. Call me XD, pleasure to meet you both.”
“Likewise.” Techno pauses awkwardly. “You a friend of Dream’s?”
“Never met Dream in person. Nor would I align myself with the one who you call Dream.”
“The one who you- that’s a weird way to say it.” Skeppy frowns.
“Is it?”
“Yeah, it is. What do you even mean by that?”
“Far in the past, your concept of ‘Permanent names’ did not exist, so many of those who lived for a long time were given multiple and called others many as well. I could be called XD, or ☌⎍⏃⍀⎅⟟⏃⋏, or Keeper. It did not matter which, they are all equally my name and I accepted them all as such. The closest thing you have now are Nicknames.” A beat. “You call him ‘Dream’ but I prefer to call him ‘Thief’.”
“‘Thief’?” Techno murmurs. “Why would you call him that? What has he stolen?”
“The most precious thing there is: Lives.”
“Am I a thief then?”
“Oh, no. You misunderstand. Killing is not the same as stealing a life.” Then, XD adds in a harsher tone, “There are fates far worse than death, you know.”
Unrest stirs within Skeppy upon hearing it.
“...How long have you been down here?” Techno asks, moving on but Skeppy can tell he’s still thinking about it.
“Longer than Dream or George have been in this land. Far longer than you have resided in your home near mine.” They make an odd noise- a laugh? “I suppose this makes us neighbors. Been so long since I’ve had a neighbor. I’m so fortunate my first after all this time is one as interesting as you are, Technoblade.”
Techno freezes on the spot. Skeppy does understand why until he hears, “I didn’t tell you my name.”
“Neither did your friend, but I know his is Skeppy nonetheless.”
Skeppy feels his stomach do a cartwheel in his chest.
The same strange noise repeats itself again- definitely a laugh. “Be calm, I already told you I mean no harm.”
“How did you know our names without us telling you?”
“Hardly the most impressive thing I know.” XD hums. “But if you truly want an answer… I must know them. I know because it was important to know. Limited Omniscience, if you will, though maybe the word ‘Limited’ takes away from the point of Omniscience.”
“I don’t understand.” Skeppy says at last.
“I imagine it is quite difficult for a mortal to understand… Perhaps it’ll help to know that I am not.”
“You’re some sort of god? Deity?” Techno eyes him skeptically. Almost like he’s evaluating if he could take XD in a fight if it came to it or not.
“Of a sort. If you consider anyone gifted with great power and immortality a ‘God’ then yes, I fall under that criteria. Though many of those in the Pantheon would disagree with the title being given to me, including myself. ‘God’ implies many things that I am not. I am no creator, only a defender. A knight- a Paladin, if you will.” XD says. “But enough about me- you two are so much more interesting.”
“Then a guy who can randomly know stuff?” Skeppy raises an eyebrow. “How?”
“I tire of my own company. Visitors are better- and visitors claimed by other powerful beings, no doubt!”
Skeppy immediately sputters. Techno’s posture goes stiff.
With how many eyes he has, XD no doubt takes notice of their behavior, but continues anyways. “Technoblade, Blessed by the Blood God themselves! They only bless one living mortal at a time, you know. There used to be multiple at once but ah- it was a bloodbath unlike any other.”
“I’ve killed more than I can count in a blind rage. People don’t trust me and I can’t always trust my senses. ‘Blessed’ isn’t the word I would use.” Techno comments dryly.
“Hm. I suppose the drawbacks of all the souls of previous Blood Gods being tied to you doesn’t quite make up for the enhanced fighting skills and regeneration. Nor the bloodlust of the Blood God himself being carried on within you.” XD considers, then turns their gaze to Skeppy who can’t help but feel like his stomach is made of lead. “But you… Oh, you’re being fought for.”
“Fought… For?”
“Yes. A battle for your soul. The demon who cares for you- tying his very being to yours- and another who has made their mark and now refuses to let go. But you already know about that, don’t you.”
Vines wrap around his legs- Skeppy shoves it down. “What is this place?”
“It’s called a Stronghold. It was important, once…” XD gazes longingly at the empty frame. “It’s been lost to time. But, my job remains to protect it so protect it I must.”
XD snaps back to focus. “So, Neighbor, if you ever wish to visit, I rarely leave.”
“...Right.” Techno mumbles. There’s a subtle flick of the ear that Skeppy picks up. It’s a relief to see, this place is giving him a headache and XD doesn’t help. “Well, nice meeting you. We should get going- Phil gets worried if I’m gone for too long. You know how old people are, they worry.”
“Give The Angel of Death my regards.” XD nods towards Techno, then turns his attention to Skeppy. “I’m sure you’re just as eager to see your Bonded and m- the Prince.”
‘Bonded’ is easy enough to figure out. However ‘Prince’ makes him hesitate. Ranboo wears a crown, it has to be him- but ‘Prince’?
“Yeah.” He says, because what else is he supposed to say?
—
“What the fuck.” Skeppy says once they’re out of the ‘Stronghold’ and trudging through the snow once again. He runs a hand through his hair. “Techno, you had a god living under your nose.”
Conflict is written all over Techno’s face. He doesn’t draw his axe but keeps a hand on the handle, holding it like it’s a security blanket rather than a weapon.
“I… Don’t know what to think.” Techno admits. “Wasn’t what I was expecting. Guess I’ll just… Deal with it?”
Techno shrugs but returns to looking deep in thought.
They still have a bit of a way to go back to the portal but Skeppy’s running out of time to ask. He fiddled with the edges of his jacket and finally blurted out, “Hey, Techno?”
“Hm?”
“I uh.” Fuck. He should’ve thought about how to ask this earlier. He meant to while they were exploring but then the ‘Stronghold’ had been so much more than he was expecting. “I need a favor.”
Techno stopped so quickly that Skeppy nearly tripped over his own feet. He almost thought he was made until he looked at his face and saw it was open. Neutral. Encouraging even.
“You don’t have to accept it if you don’t want.” Skeppy said quickly. “Won’t change anything if-”
“What is it?” Techno cut him off before he could continue.
Skeppy hesitates. “It’s complicated but uh. I need you to be my failsafe. In case I turn again.”
Skeppy gives Techno a peek at the scar from the Egg and explains what it means the best he knows how. Techno’s gaze is far away and he doesn’t say a word, but nods to show he’s listening regardless.
“So I need you to stop me in case I become all red and evil again. You are the best least biased option I have.”
“Because I’m strong?”
“Because I trust you to do whatever is necessary to stop me.” Skeppy corrects. He clasps his hands together, trying not to fidget. “I know it’s a lot to ask but I need to know somebody knows about it and can take care of it without it being self destructive on their part.”
Techno only pauses for a moment. “I’ll do it.” He nudges Skeppy’s shoulder when he huffs in relief. “No big deal. Might not even happen. ‘Sides, I got you back, you got mine, right?”
Skeppy smiled. “Right. Just like the old days.”
That got a low chuckle out of Techno. “Just like the old days.”
As they continued to the portal, Techno’s brow furrowed in thought. “That XD guy mentioned something weird.”
“He said a lot of weird stuff.”
“Mmm. But he said he was shapeshiftin’ like Dream because someone liked it when he did.” He squints. “And the only reason we found the way in was through a hole already dug there. A hole with a ladder- XD can float, why would he need a ladder?”
“You think someone like… Visits the guy?” Techno nods. “Who though? George? He and Dream are close.”
Techno considers it before nodding. “Probably our best bet. Hopefully they’re harmless, whoever they are.”
—
He pulls his hood up in an attempt to shield himself from the cold. He still shivers badly but his pointed ears don’t feel like they’re gonna fall off anymore.
He really needs to get a better coat if he’s gonna keep making these trips.
Once he reaches the igloo, no longer assaulted by the harsh wind of the tundra, he warms up pretty quickly. Not to the heat he wants- he doesn’t want to melt the igloo- but comfortably neutral.
The trip is natural. He’s done it so many times that he barely has to think about it now. Down the ladder, a few twists and turns in the hall before he arrives in an open room and meets the many eyes of the one he’s looking for.
“Hey, XD.” He says breathlessly.
XD blinks their many eyes at him. “I did not expect to see you so soon. Three visits in one week is abnormal.”
“I, uh. I had a really bad week.” Thinking about it makes his hands tremble but he tightens them into fists. “And I’m sorry for asking for so much but I- I really need it. Could you do the thing?”
A beat passes before XD dips their head and abruptly, their body shifts. A smiling mask forming over their face and slowly, they morph into a familiar figure. One that makes him want to cry on the spot.
“Fuck, I- can I hug you?”
“Of course.” Their voice even sounds like him, just echo-y now. Their impression has improved so much since his first time doing this. XD- Dream holds out his arms and he plunges into the hug.
His head buried into his shoulder, blinking away tears. All four arms wrap around him, and the warmth of the hug makes him feel something he needed. Unlodges whatever is blocking his serotonin and he is left with pure bliss that makes his skin tingle.
“You know I care about you, right?” ‘Dream’ says, and it takes away the last thing in him needed before he begins to sob.
He curses wildly under his breath but ‘Dream’ is there to comfort him. It’s not really Dream- he knows that- but it helps to pretend. Makes it hurt a little less just to pretend that he really is with one of his best friends again, embracing each other as if nothing is wrong.
When it becomes a little too much, he pulls away and ‘Dream’ lets him, but hovers nearby.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah.” He replies hoarsely. “I just… Fuck, man. I’m sorry. This is a lot to deal with.”
“I already told you, this is a mutually beneficial deal. Besides, there is nothing I cannot handle.”
Carefully, he sits him down, keeping one of his arms on him to keep him steady. “Now, why don’t we talk until you feel better? What went wrong today?”
“Nothing unusual but everything just… Came crashing down I guess.” He huffs. “Dream hasn’t changed. Quackity was busy. I couldn’t even find Karl. And… I think George has been ghosting me. I haven’t seen him since… I don’t know when. But it’s been messing with me. I think maybe I need to go see my dads. Unwind there.”
“That sounds like a good idea. But as you know, you are always welcome here.”
He lays his head against ‘Dream’s chest and closes his eyes. He doesn’t focus on the lack of a heartbeat and instead, on the warmth and feeling of safety that comes with pressing his body against his.
“Thanks, XD.” He whispers, temporary breaking the illusion. “I… I don’t know what I’d do without you sometimes.”
A clawed hand combs through his hair. XD does that a lot, he notes. Almost subconsciously, like it’s an instinct when someone lays up against him. Not that he minds, Bad does something similar to him. He always assumed it was a dad thing.
“It is not a problem, Sapnap.” XD hums.