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Part 7 of 🥀2022🪓 , Part 2 of Werewolves, Witches and Vampires oh my
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2022-05-11
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2025-01-23
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51,019
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13/?
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Into Cunning Beasts

Chapter 12: I’m Running With The Wolves Tonight

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

It’s sickeningly easy to come up with a lie to tell Wilbur why he isn’t taking the bus home with him. Techno comes up with it during Math class between writing out equations and trying to figure out the circumference of a made up baseball field. The baseball field question was harder than the idea of lying to his brother.

 

Either way Techn was walking down the hall to meet his brother for lunch, his lie practised on his tongue. As if this was some kind of test. He lies to himself and says it’ll be easy. Lying has been recently, but something about this feels wrong. Different. Techno wasn’t lying about having a panic attack or feeling sick. He was lying about the fact he’s a werewolf. A deadly, skilled killer. Even if the only thing he’s ever killed were flys with a fly swatter and the occasional unlucky snail.

 

He takes a deep breath and turns the corner, expecting to see Wilbur waiting by the stairs they’ve claimed as their own. Instead of his brother he sees an empty stairwell. “Wilbur?” Techno calls, the hair on the back of his neck standing on edge. He wasn’t here. Wilbur didn’t show up. Did something happen to him? Techno’s breath starts to pick up, wondering where the other could have gone.

 

He could have gotten held back by a teacher, got caught up in a conversation, forgotten where the staircase was. There were plenty of reasons for Wilbur to not be here. But then wouldn’t Techno have gotten a text? Techno turns, reaching to grab his phone to call Wilbur. 

 

“Boo!” Wilbur shouts, raising his hands.

 

Techno yelps, hands moving faster than his mind as he punches Wilbur in the stomach. “Will!” Techno huffs.

 

Wilbur clutches at his stomach, slowly falling to his knees. “Jumpy much?” Wilbur groans, looking up at him. “I’m never jumping you again.” He states, rubbing at his stomach.

 

“Sorry.” Techno apologises, frowning. “You deserved it though.” He adds, the influx of his anxiety dying down to a low simmer.

 

“Debatable.” Wilbur huffs, getting back to his feet. “When did you get so strong?” Wilbur comments, making his way over to the staircase.

 

“Heh?” Techno voices, following after the other. “What do you mean?” He asks, sitting down at the third step.

 

Wilbur sits on the fourth step, placing his bag down between his legs. “Oh come on, are you secretly getting buff or something without me? That punch hurt. Your fist was like a fucking brick.” Wilbur replies as he grabs at his hand. He feels around, then moves down. Techno doesn’t understand what he’s doing until Wilbur pokes at his bicep.

 

Wilbur loves to poke and prod, it’s the unlucky fortune Techno was born into. Hugs, rough housing, Wilbur did it all. It wasn’t the first time he’s snuck up on him, won’t be the last. But when Wilbur pokes at his arm it feels different. Techno bats his hand away before experimentally poking his own upper arm. What he felt wasn’t skin over bone, it was muscle. It wasn’t much but it was noticeable. Techno blinks, then pokes again. “…Well that’s new.” Techno whispers.

 

“You have to give me whatever exercise routine you're doing.” Wilbur says as he takes out his lunch. “Can’t have my baby brother be stronger than me, that’s just embarrassing.” He adds, taking a bite out of his sandwich. Techno hums, getting out his own sandwich. Ham and cheese. He takes a bite, trying his best to savour the meat. It ends up being devoured without any more thought.

 

They eat in relative silence, Techno sparing glances up and down the stairwell every few minutes. After he finishes his food Techno clears his throat, garnering his brother's attention. “Yeah?” Wilbur asks, turning to face him.

 

“I uh,” Techno pauses, shifting in his spot. No time to lie like the present. “I’m not taking the bus home right after school.” Techno says, tossing his food bag into his backpack.

 

“We can’t just buy an Uber, Tech.” Wilbur replies, misunderstanding him.

 

Techno shakes his head, looking up at the other. “I’m not going home right away. I have plans.” He says, biting the inside of his cheek.

 

Wilbur raises an eyebrow as he shifts to sit forward. “What kind of plans can you possibly have after school? You’ve barely been here a week.” Wilbur replies.

 

“Well…” Techno tries to spit it out, but his tongue becomes heavy in his mouth. It was an easy lie. He’s lied about worse things. Yet the idea of lying because of the thing he’s hiding, his new dark secret, has him clamping up. Wilbur waits patiently, eyeing him suspiciously. After a bit too long of silence Techno musters up the courage to just spit the words out. “I made some friends. They invited me to some arcade.” He lies.

 

Wilbur doesn’t say anything for a while, eyes growing wide as he just stares at him. Techno frowns, shifting uneasily in his seat. “…Did I break you or?”

 

“Of course you can go to the arcade.” Wilbur cuts him off, a smile spreading across the other teens face as he slaps his shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me you were making friends? Tech, this is amazing!” Wilbur praises, looking like the sun itself had gained a rival.

 

“You never asked.” Techno shrugs, ignoring the scoff Wilbur does as he stands. “Anyways, I’ll probably be dragged off by them right after final period. So I might not see you.” Techno adds, trying and failing to ignore the glee coming from Wilbur.

 

“Are you kidding me? I’m meeting your friends before you leave. I need to see who’s got you being social.” Wilbur smiles, packing up his garbage as he walks down the steps. “Meet me at the front of the school before you leave, okay?”

 

Techno hums, then the realisation of what he’s just agreed to starts to sink in. He splutters, looking over at Wilbur. “You don’t need to meet them.” Techno states, shaking his head.

 

Wilbur slings his backpack over his shoulder, shrugging. “Yes I do, it’s my job as your older brother to immediately embarrass you in front of them.” Wilbur says, patting him on the shoulder. “Seriously though, I’m happy you're making friends. After…everything, I’m glad you're talking to people. Like, outside of school assignments that is.” Wilbur adds, his voice turning serious for a moment.

 

Techno couldn’t even fight against it, his shoulders slump and he nods. “Well I was kinda getting bored only bothering you, so…” Techno shrugs, looking away from the other. “Friends seemed like a fix.” He tries to seem disinterested, knowing how the other is like. It’s hard to ignore the smile that's turned his way as the two walk back down the hall.

 

Students were making their way back to their classes, chatting between each other without a care in the world. Before they moved, Techno wasn’t necessarily a loner. He chose to ignore other people’s advances when it came to friendship. It was easier that way, he supposed. He chose to not have friends, to not let people get close enough to see how damaged he was.

 

It was hard to do that with Tommy, Tubbo and Ranboo. They literally chased him down, there wasn’t much he could do. “I’ll see you after school then.” Techno says, gesturing down the hall. “I’m off to science class.”

 

“Have fun.” Wilbur waves, turning to go the opposite direction. Once Wilbur is out of view Techno turns to make his way to his next class. He places his brother's headphones over his ears, pressing down on them with his hands as he prepares for the drilling ring of the school bell. 

 

He gets to class before any of the other students, taking up the same seat he did last time by the window. The teacher wasn’t even here yet. Taking out a notebook and a pencil, Techno waits for the bell signalling the students to start running to their next class. In the meantime he sets his head in his arms, eyes closing shut.

 

Just two more classes and then he’s getting kidnapped by a bunch of werewolves. His life is turning into one of those cringy vampire romantic novels. Except without the bloodsuckers and more dog energy. He lets his mind drift a bit, not knowing what else to do with his time. The door opens and closes and for a second he thinks it’s the teacher.

 

That is until the smell hits him. Techno’s eyes fling open and he pushes himself to his feet, chair screeching back as his heart starts to race. The guy who shoved him against the wall his first day here had his hands up, mouth hanging open slightly. “Hey—“

 

“You're one of them.” Techno blurts, taking a step back. His heart thuds against his ribcage, mind digging up the still very fresh memory of his last interaction with the other.

 

“I am.” The guy replies, hands still held up in the air. He looks around the room quickly before settling back onto him. “I want to say I’m sorry.” He sighs, shoulders slumping. “My dad told me what’s going on—“

 

“I don’t accept it.” Techno cuts him off, nose scrunching up. The fear from before was clawing at his brain, urging him to make a run for it. The door was blocked. How hard was it to break a school window? They were on the ground floor, surely it wouldn’t be that bad?

 

The guy frowns. “What?” He asks.

 

Techno just takes another step back, eyes narrowed on the other. He wants Phil, which was a very childish thought he didn’t really want to focus too much on. “I’m not accepting your stupid apology.” Techno bites, feeling brave. Maybe it was because Techno wasn’t out numbers, or maybe it was because he simply had a death with. Either way his mouth was moving faster than his head.

 

He didn’t like this guy, whoever he is. Techno didn’t care if he was a werewolf, wolfblood, whatever. At least the others didn’t hurt him the first time they met. This guy was a whole different ordeal.

 

The guy scowls, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m just trying to be the bigger person!” The guy yells.

 

Techno flinches back, his shin knocking into the chair as he goes tumbling to the ground. He yelps in pain as his head hits the seat of the chair, utterly inhuman. He huffs, rubbing the back of his head. The sound of hurried footsteps drew near, the guy rounding the desk. Techno looks up, freezing at the sight of golden-like yellow eyes.

 

“Fuck, I didn’t mean to scare you.” The guy growls, which makes Techno flinch back harder. The guy's eyes widen in shock but the damage is done. Techno’s mind explodes and it wasn’t the normal anxiety he’s used to. It felt even more overbearing, like this morning. Suddenly he doesn’t think he could beat this guy if he needed to. He felt small, too small, small enough that he shouldn’t be alone.

 

The guy takes a sharp step back, raising his hands. “Hey it’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you…again. Shit I’m bad at this.” The guy huffs, taking even more steps back until his back was against the other wall.

 

With the gap between them Techno finally takes a deep shuddering breath. Then he takes a few more, calming his heart rate. “You suck at apologising.” Techno grits out, slowly standing to his feet. He hugs himself, arms gripping onto his elbows as he kicks his chair towards the desk. “Just-Just stay away from me. I’ll call the cops, you know, I know their number. I’ll say you're harassing me.” Techno says, no heat behind his words.

 

The guy sighs, running his hand through his hair. “I…Okay.” He replies, taking the seat furthest away from Techno. “My name is Dream by the way.”

 

“Never asked.” Techno snips back, forcing his head to face forward. “…It’s Techno.”

 

“Never asked.” Dream says, leaning back in his chair.

 

True to his word, Dream doesn’t bother him for the rest of the class. Techno does feel his eyes on him sometimes, but it doesn't feel like a predator hunting its prey. It feels concerned, apologetic. It feels like a man who’s standing out in the rain with no umbrella and no cash on him. A wet dog, he thinks, would be a great description. When the class does end, Techno's racing out the door.

 

~ ☾ ~

 

Ranboo plays the mediator during history class. Techno isn’t early for this class, moving with the crowd. So when he enters the class and sees Tubbo, Tommy and Ranboo where they were last time it isn’t a surprise when they gesture for him to come over and take the fourth seat at the table.

 

Techno’s weak, giving in as he sits next to Ranboo. Who for the most part seems happy he’s here, smiling over at him. He doesn’t know if that’s because of him, or the fact the three obviously brought another chair over. There’s three in each section, going up towards the front. This line of desks has four.

 

He’s pretty sure they're setting him up.

 

“How was your other classes?” Ranboo says. He was picking slightly at his nails, black nail polish flaking off.

 

“Fine.” Techno responds, looking over at the other two. They were staring. “What now?” He asks, already exhausted.

 

Tommy smiles, leaning back in his chair. “You sat with us.” He says. Techno raises an eyebrow. “Willingly.” He adds. Tubbo shares the goofy grin as Ranboo rolls his eyes.

 

“And I can willingly leave.” Techno states, pretending to get up.

 

Tommy springs to his feet, arms outstretched. “Come on man, I was just teasing.” He says quickly. Techno snorts, sitting back down in his seat.

 

“Alright class, settle down!” Mr Thatcher says as he walks in. He rests against the desk as kids shush each other, the classroom falling into silence. The man sighs, looking over the class. He spots Techno fairly easily, looking confused at the new desk added to the row before moving on. “There’s a field trip coming up next month that I’ve set up for you and my other class. We’re going to a historical village called Starboard for the whole day. I’ll hand out the permission slips, I expect them back by the end of the week. Like with every field trip, any parents who want to can volunteer to watch you hell bringers during the trip.” Mr Thatcher ends off with, picking up a stack of papers as he begins to hand them out.

 

“Volunteers?” Techno questions, looking towards Ranboo.

 

“It’s for parents who want to be involved with school field trips.” Ranboo answers, pointing to Tommy. “Tommy’s dad always volunteers for trips outside of town. You can ask your dad if he wants to come along, if he doesn’t have work.” Ranboo adds.

 

Techno thinks about it, shelving the idea to think about later. Phil would most definitely want to come if he’s given the chance, it’s more so if Techno wants him there. The memory of this morning flashes in his mind, of Phil looking so happy to be doing something that didn’t have to be centred around him for Wilbur. Would Phil feel like he needed to come? That he didn’t have a choice?

 

…But if there’s other parents coming, maybe Phil could make some more adult friends? Dad and mom friends who are old like him.

 

”I’ll think about it.” Techno says as Mr Thatcher walks up to the four of them. He sets down four copies of the permission form.

 

“If you two decide to come, I'll need the nurse to give me your guy’s epipens.” Mr Thatcher states, looking over at Tommy and Tubbo.

 

“Techno too, Mr Thatcher.” Tubbo says, pointing to him. “Didn’t you hear? Chocolate allergies are catching on, it’s contagious.” Tubbo grins.

 

Mr Thatcher sighs, turning his attention to him. “Is this true?” He asks.

 

Techno nods, trying not to feel like he was causing the other even more headache. “Sorry?” He tries, shrinking in his seat.

 

“Can’t help allergies, kid. Just make sure you tell the nurse to give me yours as well.” Mr Thatcher says, moving on. 

 

“So we’re all going, right?” Tommy asks, grabbing Tubbo’s and his slips. “To this village?”

 

“If it’s free.” Techno says, looking down at the slip. He can’t help but feel like the name of the village was familiar somehow…

 

“Isn’t our book for English based on the village?” Ranboo asks, looking down at his own slip. ”The History of Starboard Lake.” He points out.

 

Now that he thinks about it, Techno’s pretty sure it was. “Could be good for our book report.” He says as he shoves the permission slip into his bag.

 

“Alright class, now for today’s lesson.” Mr Thatcher announces once he’s done handing out the slips. The classroom groans all at once, settling in for the next hour.

 

~ ☾ ~

 

“Why are we just standing here?” Tommy speaks up from his position leaning on the wall.

 

“My brother wanted to meet you guys before we leave.” Techno replies, tapping away at his phone. “I tried to get out of it but he was adamant.” 

 

“Wait, we’re meeting your brother?” Ranboo voices, shrinking in on himself.

 

“If you guys don’t want to, you don’t have to.” Techno says, looking over at the taller teen. Ranboo was playing with a ring on his finger, twirling it anxiously.

 

“I want to!” Tommy interjects, grabbing Ranboo by the shoulders. “Boo here just hates meeting family members.”

 

“What if I say something wrong and your brother hates me forever?” Ranboo asks, groaning.

 

Techno looks between Ranboo and the newcomer walking over to them. “I’m sure Wilbur will like you.” He speaks up. The newcomer slows down and Techno smiles.

 

“You don’t know that. Most people don’t like the whole,” Ranboo gestures to his outfit. Ripped jeans with a pocket chain and a black long sleeved shirt, coupled with a nose piercing. “Alt look, you know?” He says, biting his bottom lip.

 

“I think the alt look is cool.” The newcomer - his brother - voices from behind Tommy and Ranboo. Ranboo yelps, turning to face Wilbur. Wilbur raises his hand in a short wave, smiling at all of them. Techno has to stifle a laugh at the betrayed look Ranboo shoots his way.

 

“So you three are Techno’s new friends?” Wilbur asks as he walks over, leaning on him.

 

“Yep.” Tubbo replies, looking his brother up and down. “We’ve heard absolutely nothing about you.” He adds.

 

“We literally just met.” Techno deadpans.

 

“Anyways, I hope you don’t mind us stealing him for the rest of the afternoon.” Tommy says, dragging Ranboo towards the front doors. They start to move as a unit out the doors, heading towards the street crossing.

 

“As long as he gets home before our dad does. I’m not getting in trouble for this one escaping curfew.” Wilbur says as he gives Techno a pointed look. He understood it easily. Don’t let Dad find out what you're doing.

 

“We’ll have him home at a reasonable time.” Tubbo states.

 

“You make it sound like we’re going on a date.” Ranboo grimaces. “We’re going to an arcade.”

 

Wilbur looks between them then towards the bus stop a street down. “Well this is where I split off. Nice to meet you three.” Wilbur waves, giving them all one last look before splitting off from them.

 

“I think that went well.” Tommy says.

 

“He’s totally suspicious.” Techno sighs, pushing his hair out of his face. “So, where are we going anyway?” He asks, turning towards the group. Tubbo and Tommy give each other a look, evil flashing in their eyes.

 

~ ☾ ~

 

A bus to the outskirts of town and a walk through the woods later, Techno finds himself in the middle of nowhere. Tommy and Tubbo were in front of him and Ranboo, hopping over tree branches with ease. Techno’s almost tripped about three times already.

 

“If one more root tries to trip me, so help me God.” Techno grumbles.

 

Ranboo looks at him with sympathy, his own steps shaky on the uneaten terrain. “You get used to it.” Ranboo says, patting his shoulder. “After like…The tenth time tripping.”

 

“Great.” Techno groans, eyes casted downwards as he steps over a curvy tree root. “Is it just me or does this feel like some kind of murder set up?” He asks. Maybe he needs to stop watching murder mysteries at night. Even so, it’s not everyday your new wolf blood friends drag you off into the middle of the woods. 

 

“I think this is where they like to bury the bodies.” Ranboo whispers. Techno snorts, smiling over at the other. It was weird, the way Ranboo could make him forget all about the walls he’s built. He wasn’t popular, having a small friend group that we’re literally the weirdest people Techno’s ever met. Yet for some reason he felt seen when he talked to Ranboo. Like he understood him, not as a monster but as a human.

 

“Am I going to be one of them?” Techno asks as they continue to follow the other two. They keep glancing over at them, as if Techno was going to run for it. He’s too exhausted to even think about being chased down in the woods. If they want to kill him and bury him somewhere out here he’ll gladly let them.

 

Ranboo shakes his head, bumping him with his shoulder. “If they try I’ll kick them in the shins.” Ranboo grins. It gives Techno the impression he’s done it before.

 

“We’re here!” Tommy announces, turning on his heels. He claps his hands together as he does so, looking between Ranboo and him. Tubbo’s rummaging through his backpack as Techno and Ranboo slow to a stop in front of them.

 

The woods look the exact same as when they entered it. Trees rising high into the sky with dirt underfoot. What's so special about this part? “What are we doing here?” Techno finally asks. They said that they were going to show him how to be like them but he doesn’t understand where the woods are in all of this. Did they want him to roll over like a dog and sniff random bushes?

 

“We’re going for a run.” Tubbo answers him, tossing Ranboo a few bottles of water from his backpack.

 

“A run.” Techno deadpans, looking around. There were no trails this far out. He’s more likely to fall in a creek than to find a running trail. “I don’t run.” He adds. The last time he’s been made to run was at his old school for gym class. He wasn’t in the back with the kids who were speed walking but he wasn’t at the front with the future athletes either. Techno found himself tasting blood in his throat and heaving more times than not.

 

“Well you're going to run today.” Tommy says as he stretches his arms above his head. “But not like a human.”

 

Techno scrunches his nose. “I’m not going to run on all fours—“

 

“Not like that!” Tubbo laughs, zipping up his bag. “How do I explain this?” Tubbo looks around, pointing at a squirrel up in one of the trees. Techno didn’t even know it was up there. “Most people don’t notice things in the woods. The animals, foot prints, the way the wind blows. But wolf bloods do. Nature is just an extended version of ourselves. Running like a wolf blood is letting yourself go, letting yourself be one with nature itself.” Tubbo explains.

 

“It’s fucking amazing, is what it is.” Tommy adds, looking around. “You can push yourself further than you’ve ever had before.”

 

One with nature? Techno’s never been one with nature before. He was raised in the concrete jungle. His nature was the park benches and slides he climbed around as a child. His lungs were filled with smog and the stench of garbage trucks coming down the streets. Fresh air was a thing of dreams.

 

“So how do I ‘become one with nature’.” Techno asks. He’s going to make a fool of himself; he already knows it.

 

“Take in your surroundings,” Tubbo starts, inching away. “Feel the way the wind moves around you, the way the animals run in the underbrush. Smell the fresh air, the sap from the trees. Feel the dirt and stones underneath your feet. Pretend for a second that you're just an extension of the trees.” Tubbo explains, as he grins and starts running. “Come on!” 

 

Before Techno could reply Tommy’s taking off too, running after Tubbo. Techno’s left standing next to Ranboo, who’s struggling to hold the three water bottles in his arms. “They're horrible teachers.” Techno sighs. Looking down he makes sure his shoelaces are tied. “I guess I’m doing this.”

 

“It’ll be fun.” Ranboo smiles, begging to jog after them.

 

Techno watches him go, hand reaching up to brush the hair out of his face. So he’s just supposed to feel the things around him? He guesses it’s just like grounding techniques. Looking around, Techno watches the trees sway in the soft breeze. He digs his feet into the ground, bending his knees slightly. Before he could convince himself that this was a horrible idea he starts running after the others.

 

He catches up to Ranboo easily, lapping him in less than a minute as he runs off. It wasn’t a surprise, Ranboo didn’t seem like a runner. Tommy and Tubbo were further up, way out of reach. His heart starts to race, lungs aching as he starts to breathe heavily. His throat burns, reminding him why he never liked running. Techno slows, coughing up a lung as he leans against a tree. Ranboo was further behind him, out of view.

 

“This is pointless.” Techno breaths, catching his breath. He holds his chest with the palm of his hand, feeling his heart thunder against his ribs. He doesn’t understand what ‘being a wolf blood’ was all about. If it was being fast and running for miles in the woods, he’s not cut out for it. “Okay Techno, you're not a quitter.” He says aloud, looking off in the direction his friends went.

 

The wind picks up, ruffling his hair. With it the scent of wet dog is carried, leaves flying past his shoes. Techno takes a deep breath through his nose this time, closing his eyes. He tries to imagine what Tommy and Tubbo told him too. He tries to focus on the trees, dirt and wind around him. He lets his shoulders sag.

 

There’s a bird somewhere, the sound of tweeting being carried across the wind. Leaves crunch somewhere to his left, another squirrel maybe. The bark of the tree he’s leaning on is rough, textured. Unlike the smooth fake stones of the buildings he’s so used to. Pushing off of the tree he opens his eyes and starts running.

 

Instead of focusing on catching up to Tommy and Tubbo, Techno just runs. He lets the wind fling his hair around however it likes. Eyes set forward, he listens to the animals around him. To the bugs buzzing around in the afternoon sun. Greenery passes by in blurs. His muscles start to ache, legs begging him to stop. Instead Techno sniffs the air. Tommy and Tubbo were closer now. He doesn’t know how he knows but he does. His heart is loud in his head, demanding his attention. He doesn’t give it.

 

He spots Tommy and Tubbo up ahead, they were both leaning on a tree talking to each other. They didn’t seem to be out of breath. Were they waiting for him? They notice him quickly after, eyes widening as he passes them. “I thought we were running?” Techno calls after them, not even looking back as he continues running forward. He hears them scramble to follow him and something deep within him preens at the thought of outrunning the two.

 

He loses them, legs moving faster and faster. His muscles stopped aching a long time ago, leaving behind a numb body. As the wind whips past Techno’s hair, his throat void of human speech and his lungs devoid of any air, he thinks that maybe this was worth every bite wound that crossed his body. His feet moving faster than his mind, Techno could only laugh in the face of the world.

 

He felt untouchable. Burning lines run down from his chest, running down his limbs and rising up his neck. His lungs screaming for a breath he wouldn’t allow, not if it would stop this feeling of euphoria.

 

His foot hooks a tree root and Techno goes flying to the ground, hands extended in front of him as he goes tumbling. He ends up on his back, finally letting air into his starving lungs as he stares up at the sky. The trees follow his path, stretching up and up and up—

 

“Are you okay!?” Tommy stops next to him, chest rising steadily as he crouches down. Tubbo isn’t too far behind, looking down at him with worried eyes.

 

“That…” Techno takes a gasping breath, lets it sit in his lungs and then breathes out heavily through his nose. “Was awesome.” He grins.

 

“Oh my god, he’s fucking out of it.” Tubbo snickers, dropping to his knees. “Are you sure you're okay?” Tubbo asks, shaking his arm.

 

“Can we do that again?” Techno asks instead, pushing himself into a sitting position. Black vein-like patterns run over his hands, disappearing underneath his sweater. He stares for a second before choosing to ignore it, because the other two didn’t seem to be worried about it. So it had to be normal for them, or he’s hallucinating, either way it’s fine.

 

“After you drink some water.” Tubbo says, standing up. “Speaking of water…”

 

“Ranboo!” Tommy calls, looking back the way they came. “Where is our water boy?”

 

“Here!” Ranboo huffs, a few metres down in the bush. He stutters to a stroll, heaving as he holds up the water bottles. “Jesus…Ever heard of slowing down?” Ranboo heaves, slowly walking up to them. Once he gets over he hands Techno a bottle, falling on his back a second later. “I think…I’m going to lay here for a bit.”

 

“We broke Boo.” Tubbo laughs, stretching his arms above his head. Techno takes a swig of water as he stands, looking towards the direction they were running in. There was still more forest to run through, to explore. To feel the air leave his lungs and the wind through his hair, telling him he’ll be alright. As long as he is running, he’ll be alright.

 

“We should probably head back soon.” Tommy says, turning toward him. “You need to beat your dad home, remember? Techno?” Tommy comments.

 

Techno didn’t really care for beating his dad dad home, not when the forests sprawled on forever. “Techno?” He hears Ranboo’s voice and he turns. Ranboo’s eyeing him, not just him though, the other two as well. “What is it?”

 

“Oh I know what this is.” Tubbo’s eyes widen as he looks at Tommy. “You know when parents take their kids to the mall and they run off in the coat racks, I think that’s what this is.” Tubbo says, taking a step towards him.

 

“Techno’s not going to run off—“ Tommy is cut off of Techno dropping his water bottle, sprinting away from them as a smile blooms across his face. He can only laugh as the three give chase.

Notes:

Techno has finally let himself go! Our boy is having a blast. He’s making amends with Dream, albeit still suspicious of the guy. Wilbur is just happy his baby brother has friends now.

Anyways sorry for such a late update, college got me by the neck. Nevertheless, happy to deliver this chapter to you guys! A whole 5k words. No idea how that happened. If you guys have any time on your hands I’d love to read your thoughts, like always! :D.

See y’all next chapter! Have a good day / night!

Comment No No’s: Don’t ask when I’m going to update next / if the fic is abandoned, no fighting and promotions in the comments. Thank you! <33