Chapter Text
Techno blinks dumbly at the buddle in his arms. Once. twice. And everytime he opens his eyes it's still there.
Or, more accurately, he's still there.
The tiny baby, swaddled tight in thin red blankets sleeps on, oblivious to the world around him and the mortal danger he is in.
"His name is Tommy," his mother had said before she'd sprinted off into the chaos. After shoving her baby into the hands of the most feared supervillain in the world.
Dream had been there, right there under his heel, Technos sword at his throat drawing tiny beads of blood when that mad woman had shoved a goddamn baby in his arms and disappeared.
Startled, Techno had dropped his sword and clutched the baby tight, and by the time he got his wits about him, Dream was gone and Techno could see the faint light of sirens as squad cars and ambulances came to assess the destruction.
Techno looks down at the kid in his arms, still sleeping soundlessly in the arms of a murder and terrorist. Briefly, he thinks about just… setting him down. Leaving him for the police to find and deal with, but as soon as the thought crosses his mind he dismisses it.
Fuck that. He might be a bad person but he's not stooping to the levels of that evil woman who put him in this situation.
Instead, Techno leans down and picks his sword up, sheathing it at his side before he takes off running.
He needs to get to a safe house or a pick up point and then figure this whole situation out at home, with the help of a more well adjusted adult.
Or, as well adjust as Phil can be, when he is also a murder and terrorist who also has bird brain.
Techno manages to put a bit of distance between himself and the destruction of his fight with Dream before he has to take a minute to catch his breath. Slipping into the shadows of a back alley, breathing heavy, he takes a peak at the baby – at Tommy – happy to see he's still fast asleep.
It's… worrying actually. Now that he thinks about it. Aren't babies supposed to be loud? Annoying? Crying and wailing all the time? That's what Phil said he and Wilbur did as babies. And yet Tommy is silent in his arms – breathing, yes, but completely silent.
"Blade put the fucking baby down, the hell is wrong with you?"
At the words, Technos head snaps up, wide eyes finding Dream standing at the opening of the alley. He still looks beat up from their fight shoulder slumped in a way Technos knows means he's absolutely exhausted, but still he somehow manages to uphold his image of the regal and untouchable number one hero. Like Techno hadn't had a sword at his throat ten minutes ago.
"Bruh, what are you even doing here?" Techno asks. He doesn't make any move to reach for his sword, and to anyone else he would seem relaxed – almost bored as he leans against a graffitied brick wall.
But Dream is not anyone else. He and Techno know each other on a deeply personal level despite the fact they don't even know eachothers names. They've been rivals for years. Have fought each other relentlessly almost everyday. They know each others tells better than they know the back of their hands.
Techno sees Dream is exhausted.
Dream sees Techno is nervous.
Neither of them make a move.
"I was following you, obviously," Dream answers with a shrug. "Some fucking lunatic just shoved a baby in your arms and now you're running off with him."
"So?" Techno shrugs.
"Wh–" Dream stutters. "I can't just let that happen Blade! You're a supervillain! That's a child!"
"Actually he's my protege now."
Dream sucks in a sharp breath, touching a hand to his head like he's got a headache. Techno knows he's prone to them after overusing his powers, he really should be getting back to the hero tower so he can rest up.
He doesn't want his rival passing out and getting killed by some low level goon after all, that would be cringe.
"You're so fucking difficult," Dream hisses under his breath.
Techno makes an affronted noise at that because he's a delight actually, Dream just has no taste.
"Blade, hand the child over. We're gonna hunt down his parents and arrest them for child abandonment and endangerment but you need to give the kid back."
"I don't want to though," Techno whines. "This is my son now."
"I thought he was your protege?" Dream snaps. "Do you even know how to raise a kid?"
Admittedly… Techno does not. And he startles as he realises he really has no plan beyond asking Phil for help, but he can't just pawn this baby off to his dad. He wants this to be his kid afterall, and Phil loves to adopt every child in sight.
Techno wants a son, a protege. Not another brother.
With a deep sigh, Techno admits defeat.
"You make sure he gets a good home, okay?" Techno says, much too soft for his liking.
Dream also softens at that. "Of course," he says in a quiet voice. "I'll oversee his adoption process personally."
"If I find out you're lying I will kill you, homeless boy." Techno threatens in a serious voice as he reluctantly hands Tommy over.
Tommy remains fast asleep, though his eyes do flutter as he's passed over, and Techno sees the briefest hint of bright blue.
"I am not homeless! What is wrong with you?"
"Dream," Techno hisses.
"Oh my god, fine. I'll take care of him, I promise."
Techno nods, and with that, Dream turns to leave, Tommy held carefully in his arms. Techno feels his heart ache more and more the further away the kid gets from him and damn he got attached fast.
Techno would like to officially pass the blame to his piglin instincts for that. Even now, they sing out a chorus for his runt.
Sighing tiredly, Techno takes off in the opposite direction, moving through the shadows and taking extra care to make sure he isn't being tailed again. By the time he's made it to a safe house and sent Phil a message about where he is, he's already made up his mind about Tommy.
That is his son. His runt. And he was from the moment some uncaring mother pushed him into his arms.
Tommy was his and Techno was going to get him back. No matter what it took.
***
Finding the foster family that took Tommy in was easy. Though, Jack did give him many odd looks when Techno asked him to hack into CPS and look for any records on a Tommy who couldn't be older than two.
There were a few. Tommy is a common name, apparently, and L'Manburg is a big city, but only one had the bright blue eyes and wispy blond hair of his son.
It was easy to find his runt, but Techno still needed time.
Time to plan and to prepare and to learn all he could about raising a child. Phil was helpful in that regard, sure, but there was only so much teasing a man could take before he considered patricide.
But, despite Technos rush to get his runt home and back in his arms, he was delighted to see that Dream had kept his word. In Tommy's file had been a note, one that stated the hero Dream had met with the foster parents himself and investigated the home to make sure it was suitable.
At least while he got himself ready to raise his son, he could rest assured that Tommy was in a safe place in the meantime.
It only takes a month before Technos instincts take over and he finds himself sneaking into the foster home to take his runt back.
He will admit, he's not entirely prepared to raise Tommy, but he knows the basics, and surely he can wing it from there?
Besides, he has Phil and Wilbur who will help. Though, on second thought, Techno isn't sure he wants his twin anywhere near his son. He's been looking for something to fill the void in his heart since Fundy left, and if Techno didn't want another brother he sure as hell doesn't want another nephew.
So he will have to settle with winging it, with maybe a little help from Phil.
Tommy's foster family are rich people, with a nice house in some quaint looking suburb. It's well protected with a state of the art alarm system, but for Techno who has escaped Pandora, that is nothing.
Tommy is fast asleep in a painted white crib, one small hand fisted tight around the same red blanket he had been swaddled in not long ago. He looks healthier already, with full and rosy cheeks and as Techno slowly, oh so gently picks his runt up and cradles him in his arms he feels heavier than he remembers.
Techno cannot help the pleased rumble that starts up in his chest. His little runt will grow up to be strong, Techno knows it.
Tommy's eyes open slowly at the sound, and Techno looks down to see bright blue eyes blinking up at him, not a hint of fear or a trace of discomfort in his son's eyes.
"Hello, runt," Techno whispers, carefully aware of the baby monitor next to the crib he hasn't switched off.
Tommy just babbles nonsensically up at him, red blanket still clenched in one hand while he waves the other in Technos face, batting at strands of Technos hair that have slipped free of his messy braid.
"Let's get you home, shall we?" He whispers with a conspiratory smile under his mask, carefully supporting Tommy with one hand while he flicks the baby monitor off with the other.
Techno escapes out the window, the same way he came in, leaving only a Syndicate calling card in the crib before he has vanished into the night, his son in hand.
***
The two weeks that he has Tommy, are long and sleepless and draining beyond belief.
In his hesitancy to allow Wilbur or Phil near his son, he's been left to shoulder the burden of a loud and curious toddler by himself.
Tommy is not the quiet angel child Techno had led himself to believe, and is, instead, some sort of hellspawn. Crying all day and most nights, throwing up over all the blankets Techno had bought for him and also using Techno as a chew toy when he's not pulling on his hair.
"Why do people willingly put themselves through this," Techno mutters to himself as he bounces Tommy on his chest, gently patting at his back. "God's, why am I willingly putting myself through this?"
Tommy, blissfully ignorant to Technos plight, let's out a small hiccup followed by a tired babble.
"You're pretty cute though, sometimes," Techno continues on as he slowly, oh so slowly, lowers Tommy into his crib. "Especially when I can actually get you to sleep."
Once Tommy is laying down, eyes fluttering close, Techno gently tries to pull his hands away, but the minute he moves an inch, Tommys eyes fly open, already brimming with tears as he wails uncontrollably.
Techno heaves a heavy sigh, and gently picks Tommy back up, cradling the runt close and gently bouncing him again in an attempt to soothe him.
“You're clingy huh? It's okay, I promise you I'm not goin’ anywhere.”
With another heavy sigh that feels like defeat, Techno walks to his own room and lays down on his bed with Tommy next to him, quietly building a wall of pillows around the kid to make sure he doesnt hurt himself through the night.
Looking down at the tiny baby laying on his arm finally quiet and fast asleep, Techno can't help the purr rumbling through his whole body. His son, his runt.
Techno would rather die than part with him again.
***
“Blade.” Dream starts, unnervingly calm and Techno feels a cold sweat on the back of his neck as he spins around to see the hero standing behind him, arms crossed.
“Hey,” Techno says, drawing it out as he looks for an exit off the roof of this high rise building that isn't just throwing himself over the edge.
But just his luck, Dream is standing in front of the stairwell door.
“Whats, uh. What's going on man?” Techno says with a nervous chuckle.
“What's going on? What's going on is that you kidnapped a baby!” Dream yells. “The hell is wrong with you, man?”
Techno shrugs. "I told you he was my son now."
"That's not–" Dream cuts himself off with a frustrated groan. "God you're impossible. You kidnapped a literal baby from his foster home! You've been gone for weeks!"
"And?" Techno says, placing one hand on his hip.
Dream stutters over his words for a moment before he takes a deep breath. "You understand how that looks, don't you?"
Techno says nothing and just crosses his arms over his chest, tilting his head to the side as if to tell Dream to elaborate.
"The terrifying Blade has dissappeared from the streets, his reign of terror is over because he wants to play house. Think of your reputation, Blade. It's in ruins."
And as much as Techno hates to admit it, Dream makes an extremely good point.
This is the first time Techno has even stepped foot out of his apartment since he brought Tommy home, and he'd only done it under the mask of Blade because Phil went grocery shopping for him before he started babysitting Tommy, and because he had to catch up with a few Syndicate agents around the city.
Techno really didn't mean to fall completely off the face of the earth, it's just… raising a kid takes a lot out of you.
And besides, even now he'd only been gone for an hour and already his instincts were going haywire.
As much as it pains Techno to admit it, he really wasn't sure he could raise a kid and be the most feared supervillain in the world at the same time.
"You do know that even if I were to just hand my son over, I would come back for him again. Sooner or later."
"Oh I know," Dream huffs. "I will be putting measures in place to make sure that doesn't happen again."
Something about the way he says it piques Technos interest. If he knows Dream even half as well as he thinks he does, Techno thinks he can guess what those measures might be.
Dream's always been a do it yourself type person after all.
Under his mask, Techno smiles wickedly as a plan begins to form in front of him.
"Alright, I'll admit defeat do-gooder," Techno shrugs.
Dream visibly blue screens for a moment. "What?" He asks. "What, that's just it? Not even a fight? Not even some fucking reference to a Greek myth?"
"Nah," Techno hums. "Now you just sit tight while I go get Tommy for you."
Techno gently pats Dream on the shoulder as he walks past the stunned hero towards the stairwell. While admittedly this isn't the first time they've had a friendly conversation, that is the first friendly touch they've shared.
Dream doesn't shrug him off, and Techno slips away without another word.
It feels like a change in the wind. Like progress in their slightly friendly rivalry.
***
Dream doesnt know how he gets himself into these types of situations. His brain is too fast for both his mouth and his rationality it seems. Too stuck on finding immediate solutions to problems and not fully thinking the consequences through.
Though, it feels mean to refer to the baby in his arms as a consequence.
Its not Tommys fault his biological mother was an evil woman, now rightfully rotting in a jail cell. It wasn't Tommy's fault he caught the attention of The Blade. And it wasn't Tommy’s fault that Blade saw fit to kidnap him for a wonderful loving home.
It was a complicated situation, Dream settles on internally. And that's what he tells Sapnap and George when they come over to his house to help turn the guest room into a nursery.
“Yo! Mama Dream!” Sapnap calls, pulling Dream out of his thoughts as he turns to give his best friend a withering glare.
Sapnap in turn just gives him a smug grin. “We're about to start painting so you might wanna take the baby demon out.”
“Tommy is not a demon,” Dream scoffs and it only partly tastes like a lie on his lips.
“You just say that because he's not bit you yet,” George deadpans from where he's sat on the floor trying to construct the crib.
“Right?” Sapnap cries in agreement. “I’m convinced Blade was feeding him just raw meat from how fucking bloodthirsty he is.”
“Like father like son,” George muses and Sapnap barks a laugh.
Dream however, remains silent, lost in thought again for a moment before he looks up, wide eyes meeting Sapnap as he asks. “The hell am I supposed to feed him?”
Sapnap levels him with a look that Dream can't quite decipher, all while George giggles like a mad man in the background.
"Formula milk, Dream, you fucking moron. Unless you're hiding milk in those dritties of yours."
George's giggles turn into breathy cackles and Dream just gives Sapnap a scandalised look, making a show of cupping Tommy's ears.
"Oh so swearing in front of the baby is okay but the dritties aren't?" Sapnap laughs.
"I'm leaving!" Dream hisses, all theatrical anger as he carries a somehow sleeping Tommy to the living room.
"Don't listen to your uncle Sapnap," Dream whispers as he sets Tommy down in the ugly ass pop up crib they'd set up for until the nursery is ready. "I am not your mom and I need you to delete all the foul language you just heard from your memory."
Tommy says nothing in reply, no warbling babble or childish laugh. The silence is a nice change from the wailing cries that wracked him when he saw Blade walking away without him a few hours ago.
Idly, Dream worries about how easily Blade had given the child up, when he'd been just so adamant about keeping him no matter what.
If Dream knows him half as well as he thinks he does, Blade has got some nefarious scheme up his sleeve. Something to do with Tommy and his recent disappearance from the public eye.
The exact specifics of this scheme elude him. But no matter what, Dream is sure that he will be able to keep Tommy safe and far from Blades reach.
Even if he did feel a little guilty, hearing how Tommy cried for Blade as he was left behind in a stranger's arms.
"Dream!" Sapnaps muffled voice calls out and Dream gives Tommy one last soft look before leaving him to rest.
It takes two whole days of work until the nursery is ready, the walls painted a soft sky blue accented by white woodwork, though the room remains sad and empty until Dream finally works up the courage to tell his dad about his situation
Puffy is as helpful as she is embarrassing. She digs up all of Dream and Foolish old toys and clothes and books, and she shows Dream everything he could need to know to take care of a toddler. It almost makes the endless amount of cooing coments and jokes about his motherhood worth it.
Almost.
Dream is just glad Foolish is still living in Las Nevada's and can't join in on the borderline bullying.
Though when Puffy finally leaves to return home, Dream feels more confident about his situation than ever. He has everything a growing child could ever want, Dream knows how to properly care for all his needs, and though Tommy still cries through every night, Dream has finally learned that as long as someone's in the room with him, he will sleep peacefully.
Four more days pass and Dreams' confidence never wavers. With help from his friends who baby sit when Dreams on hero patrol and from his dad calmly answering every one of his frantic questions no matter how late the hour, Dream is sure he can raise this kid right.
Dream has had Tommy in his care for one week when he finally understands Blades plans.
He wakes up that morning instinctively knowing something is wrong and when he walks into his loving room and turns the TV on to the news channel, his instinct is proven right.
"Reports are still coming in with the extent of the damage, but one thing is known for sure, and it's that Blade is responsible for this utter tragedy." The news reporter on the screen speaks with a sullen voice and sad eyes and the screen switches to show overhead footage of what looks to be the desolate and smouldering remains of the L'Manburg parliament building.
"Shit." Dream curses to himself.
Blade had been gone from the scene for so long, his name slowly losing its notoriety. Dream had been the one who told him that, and now Blade had to show that he was back. He had to remind everyone why he was so feared.
Blowing up a building and injuring hundreds certainly sends a strong message.
"Many of our well loved hero's are already on the scene, helping law enforcement and crisis workers rescue and heal what is suspected to be a hundred people caught in the blast." The news reporter continues as images and live footage flash across the scene. "Among them is our President Schlatt and his husband Quackity, and the president's political rival in the ongoing election, Hasan Piker. None of whom have been found in the wreckage yet."
Dream curses to himself again and rushes to his bedroom, taking his Phone off of charge to see he's already got thousands of messages and missed calls. The screen lights up with Sapnaps name as he starts flicking through all the messages and Dream picks up the call without a second thought.
"Holy shit," Dream greets.
"Dude this is an all hands on deck situation where the fuck are you?" Sapnap hisses back.
"I literally just woke up! Tommy had me up late last night and, shit. Hold on I need to call Puffy and see if she's free. Be there as soon as I can."
"Better hurry the fuck up, I don't know how much longer I can fend the organisation off for you," Sapnap warns.
Dream hangs up, a stream of curses spilling from his lips as he calls his dad.
Puffy is, thank the gods, available to babysit despite the short notice, and Dream doesn't stop thanking her for it as he rushes out the door in his hero suit.
The perks of being an A class speedster is that he makes it to the scene in the blink of an eye and he instantly throws himself into the rescue effort, working tirelessly for hours straight as he helps any way he can. Lifting rubble, consoling civilians, rushing people to the hospital.
Dream doesn't even let himself think about stopping until George comes up to him and basically tells him to fuck off.
It's only then that Dream realises he's swaying on his feet, the world around him illuminated only by street lights and the fading slivers of sunlight as it dips below the horizon.
"Go home man," George says firmly. "We've all had breaks already. Get some food, make sure Tommy's alive and for the love of God get some rest."
Dream wants to argue, he really does. There are people who need his help after all. But realistically he knows that he is no help to anyone like this.
Sighing in defeat, Dream nods. "I'll see you tomorrow," he says and speeds off home.
The smell of blood and sweat tinged with gunpowder clings to Dream like a second skin. His suit is covered in who knows what at this point. Puffy had left not long after Dream had returned, eager to get home and sleep in her own bed. And Dream knows he should get a shower and get some sleep too, but instead he finds himself standing over a sleeping Tommy, watching the rise and fall of the toddlers chest, just to remind himself that the kid is here and safe.
And it's the luck of the gods that he is here. A shadow moves outside the nursery window, something tall and human-like, and Dream watches with bated breath, moving into the shadows of the nursery, as the window slides open and a person on silent feet clambers through.
The Blade stands in the nursery, looking as regal and terrifying as ever and Dream feels his heart drop.
Of course, this is why Blade gave up his son so easily. To have his hands free long enough he could plan this destruction. Dream knows from experience that Tommy is a demanding kid, and the few weeks Blade had vanished were testament to that as well.
Dream has been played. Used as nothing more than a fucking babysitter for the past week.
He's moving before he can even really process it, throwing himself at Blade, who stumbles under the sudden weight, allowing Dream to pin him to the floor with a knee on his gut and his wrists held down.
“What the fuck is your problem,” Dream hisses dangerously.
“Well hello to you too Dream,” Blade huffs unbothered. “Dude, get your boney knee out of my lungs.”
“Why are you in my fucking house?” Dream whisper yells, bordering on hysterical.
“It was on Tommys adoption file,” Blade answers easily. “Now get off.”
Blade slips his wrists out of Dream's loose grip and shoves at his chest to accentuate his point, Dream tilts backwards at the force but manages to catch himself, scrambling off his chest and springing to his feet, in between Tommy's crib and Blade.
They stand in a tense standstill for a moment, Dream, thankful he still has his mask on, staring down Blade who is instead transfixed by Tommy who is sleeping soundly behind him.
“Blade…” Dream starts, unsure.
The supervillain shuffles from one foot to the next, finally looking up at Dream. “I was really hoping you’d be asleep by now man, it's like three in the morning and you’ve been working all day.”
“Well that sucks for you now, get out,” Dream says in a snarky voice.
“You're rude when you're tired, you know? I literally told you I would come back for my son.”
“I'm not just gonna let that happen dude.”
“Then I'll just take him.” Techno shrugs and reaches for the sword at his side.
Dream huffs, exhausted. He's on the last dregs of his energy and using his powers will eat through it faster than he can run but he can't just do nothing.
So Dream activates his powers, the world slows down, moving like molasses around him and already Dream can feel sweat bead down his forehead. He turns, scoops up Tommy from his crib and runs into the kitchen.
Tommy blinks awake at the sudden rush of wind and noise, looking up at Dream with those wide, inquisitive eyes, looking almost offended that Dream had the audacity to disturb him.
Offering only a shaky half smile as apology, Dream starts tearing through his kitchen looking for anything quick and easy that he can eat. Just something that can give him the fuel he needs to get somewhere more secure.
He finds a box of protein bars he starts tearing into, stuffing a few in his mouth when he looks up to see Blade standing in the entrance of his kitchen. Dream can't see his face, but he can just tell that the supervillain is not amused.
"What's your plan here Dream?" Blade asks with a huff. "Run somewhere safe. Play keep away with me for the rest of our lives. You asked me if I knew how to raise a kid but do you?"
"I just need to keep Tommy safe from you until you're in jail where you belong," Dream hisses. "And just so you know I am learning and I'm doing a pretty good job of it."
Blade scoffs. "Sure. You're not Tommy's parent you know, you're just his babysitter."
Dream and Blade have traded insults back and forth before, half of the fun of fighting him is their banter that walks the line of playful and hurtful. Sometimes they lose themselves to it all – Dream's lost count of the amount of times that Blade has threatened to kill him like he's a Greek hero or whatever – but nothing he has ever said has cut as deep as that.
Because fuck. Dream might have only had Tommy in his life for a week but he's attached to the kid. Tommy is already such an integral part of his life and his routine and as much as Dream pretends to hate the jokes, he does feel like a mother hen constantly worrying over his chick.
Babysitter, Blade calls him, and it enrages Dream beyond anything he's ever known.
Tommy choses that moment to press his small hand against Dreams mask, making a small noise that snaps him out of his stewing rage to look down at his kid in his arms.
"Mama," Tommy mumbles, followed by a stream of nonsensical babbles as he looks at Dream.
It's unmistakable what he says, the first thing he's ever said and both Dream and Blade freeze.
"Mama," Tommy says again and yawns, falling forward to rest his head on Dream's shoulder and promptly falling asleep.
A moment of tense silence passes as Dream just… processes.
If he knew Sapnap and George's teasing would lead to this he would have shut it down so quick.
"Well then," Blade mumbles, snapping Dream out of his thoughts. "Guess you are his parent."
"What?" Dream startles. "So that's just it? You're giving up?"
Blade laughs. "You wish, green boy."
When he offers no further explanation Dream huffs and rolls his eyes. "This is why I think you're impossible!" He snaps as he shoves past the supervillain and heads back to the nursery.
Tommy should be safe. For now, at least, Blade doesn't look like he's going to kill Dream anymore.
With Tommy safely nestled back in his crib, Dream turns around to see Blade had followed behind him, and he pushes the villain out of the room, shutting the door behind him with a click.
"You can actually get him to sleep on his own?" Blade asks with an impressed tone.
"Sometimes," Dream sighs tiredly. "Now just tell it to me straight man, I've been working my ass off cleaning up your mess all day and I'm exhausted."
"Alright Mr. Government puppet." Dream can imagine the way Blade must be rolling his eyes as he speaks. "Tommy's attached to you. You're his mom now apparently so we are going to have to co-parent."
"We what?"
"I'm not gonna traumatise my son so early in his life and give him attachment issues, Dream, that's cringe."
"No I–" Dream stutters. "What?"
"What are you not getting about this?" Blade says, exasperated. "You're Tommy's mom, I'm his dad. That's our son now so we're collabing on parenting him."
"Why would you phrase it like that?" Dream laughs, a bit too hysterically for the situation, but he feels it's warranted as his brain implodes in on itself.
What in the ever loving fuck is going on right now?
"Maybe we should talk in the morning," Techno says dryly, but it all suddenly feels a million miles away from Dream. "You look like you're about to go insane or somethin'."
Dream sucks in a sharp breath as he finally notices the dark spots dancing along his vision. "I think I'm going to pass out." He announces.
Techno watches with raised eyebrows as Dream promptly crumples to the floor.
***
With the morning sun comes the most awkward breakfast of Technoblades life.
After dragging an unconscious Dream to his bed, Techno had thrown a blanket over the hero and decided to kill time by snooping through his house until he woke up.
Dreams house is very nice, no doubt thanks to his huge hero paycheck. Though modern interior design isn't Technos favourite – he's a maximalist at heart, and not a hoarder like Wilbur likes to say sometimes – he respects Dreams commitment to constantly having a spotless and tidy house.
Pointedly, Techno ignores all the picture frames scattered about, turning them all over so that he doesn't accidentally see his rival's face. Techno always imagined seeing Dreams face would be some huge display; ripping his mask off in a fight, maybe holding his decapitated and unmasked head high for all to see.
Finding out Dreams identity from a picture frame seems so lame in comparison.
So instead Techno picks through Dreams fridge, he marvels at all the useless smart tech he has in house house and spends the night keeping vigil over Tommy's crib.
When the sun does finally peek over the horizon, Techno shrugs to himself and starts making breakfast. He remembers seeing almost out of date bacon and sausages in the fridge and figures it would be a waste to not use it up.
Dream stumbles into the kitchen ten minutes later. Techno hears his footsteps but pointedly doesn't turn around.
"You got your mask on?" Techno asks as he shoves two bread slices into the toaster.
"Uhhhhh," Dream eloquently replies. "Yes?"
Techno turns around to see that Dream is in fact, still wearing his dirty suit, mask on his face and his hair a tangled mess.
"Breakfast," Techno says simply and nods to a plate of bacon, sausages toast and eggs on the side.
"What is happening right now?" Dream mumbles lowly. Techno doesn't think he was meant to hear it so he doesn't reply.
Techno himself, being part piglin, doesn't exactly feel comfortable eating any of the meat he just cooked, and instead settles for eating buttered toast over the kitchen sink while Dream eats at the table in the attached dining room.
It's awkward. There's no way to dance around it.
They have a borderline friendly rivalry, yes. But that only entails playful jokes and sometimes not aiming for killing blows when they fight.
Whatever the fuck this is? It's way out of their comfort zone.
It almost makes Techno want to reconsider his offer… that is until the sound of a baby wailing starts from down the hall.
Both Techno and Dream move at the same time, then freeze as they look at each other.
Hesitantly, Techno backs down and goes back to eating, while Dream rushes to the nursery and a minute later returns to the kitchen gently rocking a still sobbing Tommy.
"Shhhh, hey, hey, hey, you're alright," Dream soothes gently. "I know you're hungry just give me a moment."
Techno watches the interaction with a careful look on his face, a warm sticky feeling in his chest that he doesn't care to decipher. One that only grows as Dream gently hands Tommy over to his own awaiting arms.
"I need my hands free to get his bottle," Dream explains and Techno just nods as he curls his arms around his son, holding him for the first time I'm a week.
"Hello little warrior," Techno says quietly and Tommy's wailing cry settles a little at the sound of his voice. "You have a very fierce battle cry already."
Dream says nothing as he warms the bottle of formula milk, but Techno knows the hero is watching him with a critical eye, picking apart his actions and his words like a silent judge.
When Dream hands Tommy's bottle to Techno and let's him feed him, Techno knows he has passed Dreams little test.
"About last night," Dream starts once Tommy's cries have tapered off into nothing. "If you're serious about co-parenting or whatever. I think I could make it work. It'd be nice to have an extra pair of hands."
Techno huffs a quiet chuckle. "He's very demandin' isn't he?"
"Not to mention clingy."
They lapse into companionable silence after that, and though their faces are hidden behind masks, Techno knows they are both looking down at Tommy with similar fondness in their eyes.
"I'm glad we could come to an agreement, do-gooder."
Dream scoffs. "Tough talk for a guy who discovered anarchy in their 'I'm 14 and this is deep' phase and never grew out of it."
"Bruh. At least I'm not homeless."
"You are literally standing in my house !"
***
Settling into this new dynamic is certainly an adjustment. They agree that Tommy will live with Dream, since Techno is not fond of revealing his own house to the hero, and Techno will be able to come see his son wherever he wishes.
So long as he gives enough warning to Dream, of course.
But eventually they find a steady rhythm. Fighting each other on the battlefield, they keep up the image of their rivalry to both the public and their teammates. And then behind the scenes, Techno will be laughing his ass off while Dream cleans Tommy's spit up off his favourite jumper.
It's easy and it's peaceful and it's all shattered as soon as Tommy starts walking.
Techno still remembers the overwhelming joy, shadowed by his nerves as he watches his son waddle towards him, Dream just behind him with arms outstretched ready to catch him.
He remembers Tommy stumbling into his arms while Dream and Techno both cheer him on, and from that point he remembers having to constantly chase after a child determined to kill himself.
***
"We need to socialise Tommy more." Dream announces one day.
Techno, who had just managed to put a four year old Tommy to bed, turns to look at the man with a confused look, the effect of which is lost behind their masked faces.
Quietly ushering them both from their son's room, they reconvene in the living room where Techno asks, "where exactly is this coming from?"
Dream heaves a deep sigh. "Look, he's gonna be starting kindergarten soon and until now he's only seen my dad or my friends and I don't think it's good for him. Keeping him holed up like this."
"Okay, you make a fair point." Techno hums. "But what exactly can you even do with children?"
"We could take him to a park maybe?" Dream suggests. "I always liked the zoo as a kid and he loves animals."
"Alright, good plan. Except how are we going to take him out? Techno asks.
"Well I guess I could–"
Techno doesn't even realise he's growling, his piglin instincts going haywire at the thought of his runt leaving the nest without his main protector.
Coughing, the growl at the back of his throat tapers out. "Sorry." He says awkwardly.
"Right. Well, I don't suppose we can just reveal our identities?" Dream suggests instead, and Techno can tell he's as fond of that idea as he is. Which is to say not at all.
"Hear me out," Techno starts and Dream listens closely.
***
The zoo is loud and crowded and Techno doesn't really like it. He holds Tommy close to his chest, but his son seems enamoured by all the new sights around him and uncaring of the amount of people.
Beside him, Dream is bouncing with energy as he leads them both from exhibit to exhibit, talking endlessly and stuttering over his words like he always does when he's nervous.
"Nice cosplay!" Someone yells out to them and Techno is suddenly aware of the mask on his face and the heavy cloak on his back and the absence of his usual weapons.
Perhaps, this was not his best idea.
And yet, it's the one they stick to everytime they take Tommy out together. To parks and shops and wherever else, they get recognised non stop as 'the cosplayers with their adorable son' and all the attention feels like hell on earth for Techno.
But it's better than being recognised as the Blade instead of just a hyper realistic cosplayer.
Dream, however, loves it. He loves building some elaborate story to anyone who asks about them and their backstory – that changes all the time, by the way – and he loves taking pictures with people and making their silly little tiktoks.
But it's better than everyone knowing that the Blade has such an obvious weakness. It's better than people knowing he has a soft spot for his rival.
***
Tommy's fifth birthday comes and goes. A day in which Techno was subjected to endless teasing from the man's civilian friends Sapnap and George, who apparently didn't care that their friend was a superhero who was also raising his child with a supervillain?
(What was worse was that Tommy caught on. His son was very talkative and his vocabulary pretty extensive for a five year old thanks to all the books Techno would read to him.
Techno doesn't think he'll ever recover from hearing his toddler son call him a "fucking loser." Thanks for that one, Sapnap)
But now that Tommy is five, his first day at kindergarten is right around the corner and Techno tries his best to prepare himself for it. He talks to Phil and asks for advice and he tries to work on his possessive piglin instincts.
He tries to reassure himself that he has this under control, but as he makes his way to Tommy's preschool, out of breath and tired from a very recent run in with a hero, he doesn't think he has his instincts nearly as under control as he would have liked.
Dream is waiting for him at the school gates, Tommy hiding behind his leg though his son lights up as soon as he spots Techno approaching.
"Dad!" Tommy yells and runs forwards into Technos legs.
"Hello Theseus," Techno rumbles. "Are you excited for your first day of kindergarten?"
Tommy opens his mouth, a sour look on his face that betrays his thoughts before Dream interrupts him, pulling Technos attention towards the hero.
"Did you just come from a fight?" He asks.
Techno nods. "Yeah, some hero cornered me on my way here."
"Publicly?"
"Eh, in the middle of main street, so yeah." Techno shrugs. "Why?"
"So you had a public fight and then you ran all the way here? Did you at least take a moment to lay low? Shake off any tails?"
Dawning horror spreads like ice through Technos system, and he takes a glance backwards to see the shadow of someone across the street.
Someone holding a camera pointed right at them.
***
The lights on this set are blinding. Even with his mask on, Dream feels their heavy gaze upon him, heavier than the actual eyes of the crowds before him.
TV appearances are, by far, Dreams least favourite aspect of being a hero. He's charismatic, sure, but being a hero should be about saving lives and keeping people safe, not becoming a marketing strategy or having a brand to uphold.
Still, Dream knows it's expected of him, and he makes every appearance he can. He talks to show hosts and does minigames and he shoots ads and he's good at it.
Dream isn't quite sure what late night talk show he's on now, all he knows is that the lights are bright, the host is leering at him, and there's only one question on everyone's minds right now.
"So Dream, being the ranked one hero must be a tough job," the host starts, an easy smile on his face. "I mean saving lives, keeping the people safe, just how do you do it?"
"Quickly," Dream says with a forced laugh, the audience before him chuckling at his quip. "I don't know, that's a bit of a broad question."
"It is, it is. Well how about this, how do you deal with the stress of having so much on your shoulders? You have a wife? A lady friend?"
Dream's laugh is forced through gritted teeth, "no, no, not anything like that. Hero work keeps me busy, makes it hard to meet anyone, especially when you can't tell them what you do for work. Bit of a red flag isn't it?"
The host chuckles politely. "No, I suppose you have your eye on someone in a similar field of work, do you not?"
And here it is. Dream curses inwardly, cursing himself, cursing the reporter who took the stupid photo of him and Blade outside Tommy's school, who blew their cosplayer cover. And he curses Blade most of all, who doesn't have to do stupid TV appearances and interviews since he's a supervillain
Times like this, Dream wants to let the whole city burn.
But no, he is a good person, with good morals, who wants to help all those that he can. To build a better world for Tommy to inherit.
So he grits his teeth, and he laughs politely. He tries to explain that no, he and Blade are not dating and never have been, thank you very much. They just raise their son together.
And really there's not a good way to word that, especially not when everyone listening is only hearing what they want.
"Your son?" The host asks, eyes gleaming. "Is he yours? Biologically?"
"What?" Dream asks. "No, we adopted him."
The host just hums noncommittally and Dream barely stops himself from speeding off of that set.
***
"Hello, traitor," Wilbur greets him with a sneer on his face.
Techno just rolls his eyes and shoulders his way past his twin, and in through the doorway of Phil's house – their childhood home.
Tommy follows closely behind Techno, looking back to stick his tongue out at Wilbur before he takes off running through the halls in search of Phil.
"Granda!" Tommy's voice echoes from the living room.
"Hello little bird! Oh you're getting so big now!"
Wilburs hand on his shoulder stops Techno from following after, and he turns to look at his twin with a raised brow.
"Are you really dating a hero?"
"Bruh," Techno whines in a shaky voice. "Absolutely not you literally know I'm aroace."
The reminder of Technos sexuality, unfortunately, does not wipe the smug look off of Wilburs face. "And yet you have a son together?"
"He's adopted, Wil," Techno deadpans. "You know that. What is goin' on with you?"
"Nothing, nothing." Wilbur says, still smiling smugly as he lets go of Technos shoulder. "I was just wondering if we should be setting an extra seat at the dining table during the holidays."
Techno growls, deep and low as it rumbles through his chest. He knows it is a terrifying sound, his growls and snarls have made even the most battle hardened of hero's shake in fear, and yet Wilbur, his beloved bastard twin only laughs. Loud and bright it echoes through the halls and drowns out Technos threats.
"You make it too easy, tech," Wilbur laughs as he throws an arm over Techno's shoulder and drags his brother to the living room where Tommy and Phil wait for him.
"Looks like Dreams doing another live interview tonight," Phil says, looking from the TV to stare at Techno with a teasing grin. "I wonder what that could be about."
Truly, Techno despises his family like no other. He cannot wait until he gets some dirt on his brother, so he can return this attack a thousand times over.
***
Tommy is sixteen, and his entire existence is public domain.
He grew up under the light of the cameras, with reporters and paparazzi hounding his every step, all because his parents are the most feared villain and the ranked one hero in L'Manburg.
It's not so bad, sometimes. Tommy learns to avoid them, learns to hide and blend in with crowds. He makes himself unremarkable because dying his hair pink like he wants to would only make him easier to spot.
It's easier to deal with when he's hanging out with his best friend Tubbo, who, as the president's son, always has an army of security guards with him who scare away even the bravest of reporters.
But still, it's not an easy thing to grow up with.
So Tommy takes his revenge on his parents in the only way he knows how.
"It's just so hard for my mum," Tommy laments to one reporter who corners him outside of a coffee shop. "Dream just works so hard you know? And Blade isn't around much."
"I just wish I could see my dad more," Tommy huffs sadly in front of a camera a week later. "He doesn't even pay child support."
"He didn't even want to be my dad until recently," Tommy lies quietly just the next day. "Dream worked so hard to raise me alone. Even with the split custody agreement I always lived with him, with my mum."
The rumours Tommy starts spread like wildfire until they spiral out of his control. He watches with gleeful vengeance as Dream is forced to do uncomfortable interview after uncomfortable interview, and he laughs at Techno who gets constantly heckled as a deadbeat dad.
Living in the spotlight is hard, his whole living arrangement is. With parents who won't even show eachother their faces or use their real names, Tommy is always worried that one day, he will slip up, and this careful balance they all live in will be shattered.
But he soothes himself with the knowledge that no matter what, come hell or high water, his parents love him more than anything.