Chapter Text
The Piglet almost trips. The tray of golden trinkets wobbles precariously, a few gold coins clattering to the ground.
The other piglin all glare at him, one of them snorting a warning.
The elder steps forward, swinging her staff at his head. The runt braces for the blow, but it still knocks him off his feet. The rough wood scraps along his cheek, leaving a painful welt behind.
The gold he was ordered to move crashes to the ground, the sound roaring through the castle in a thundering echo.
From the other room, the blood god sturrs. A Blood curdling growl rises from the depths of the bastion, sending the hairs on the back of every neck on end. The others flee, leaving the little Piglet shivering alone on the floor.
He stands quickly, rushing to not be left behind. He makes it to the door, and quickly tries to squeeze through to safety. The Elder blocks him with her staff, raising it to strike him again.
He flinches away, falling backwards to the floor. She sneers down at him for another second, and then she closes the door. Leaving him sealed inside.
The child cries out in terror, pounding on the door as hard as he can. They left him! They left him alone!
Something big steps through the doorway. No, they left him worse than alone. They left him with a monster.
The little Piglin turns around slowly, watching as the biggest brute he's ever seen yawns sleepily. Those tusks are as long as the piglet's entire body.
The giant catches sight of him, and freezes, his eyes growing wide with shock. The Blood God lets out a disbelieving snort. He approaches slowly, gracefully, as if stalking prey.
The kid trembles in terror. He knows he looks like gold, his blond fur shining dully in the dim light. That won't save him, though. No one wants him, they just want his fur. And this monster is fully capable of killing him and taking it as a prize.
The little one abruptly realizes he's been staring the brute straight in the eyes. He quickly falls into a bow, squealing an apology. It's too late, he knows he won't be forgiven.
"... A baby. They gave me a… baby??? Well this is… new." The blood God comments, distain clear in his tone.
The runt flinches in on himself, covering his head with his hands as if it'll help. The brute could crush him with a single step. The golden one closes his eyes tight, sobbing as he waits for the blood God to skin him, to eat him.
Instead, the man chuffs. The sound is soft and hesitant, as if he's not quite sure how to make it.
The piglet gasps, a shudder running down his spine. He almost thinks he imagined it. He looks up, and the monster stares back. His pupils are wide, his expression soft. The Blood God chuffs again, this time the sound is unmistakable.
The child is stumbling forward before he even knows he's on his feet, letting out a desperate little whine. The noises sound so… safe. He's never had anyone make those noises before. Not for him.
Instincts tell him that sound means safety. Means sounder, although he's never had a sounder of his own. He hesitates, just out of reach. What if it's a trap? What if the monster is just messing with him?
The Blood God chuffs again, and the little runt reaches for him, tripping in his haste to get closer. Instead of letting him fall, the brute catches him, hugging the shivering bundle of Piglin to his chest.
The golden child goes willingly, snuggling as close as he can get. A gentle hand strokes down his back, slow and soothing. He's still scared, he doesn't know why the brute is being kind. But he is, so he’s going to soak up every bit while it lasts.
"Hello there, little one. Did they leave you alone? You must be another offering..." The monster mutters bitterly. "They thought I was going to eat you. And they call me a monster?"
The runt tenses up, not sure he wants to be this close anymore. The blood god is dangerous, vicious. This is where the outcasts are sent to die. None are ever seen again.
The brute begins to purr, and the child goes boneless. The deep rumble of a sound vibrates through him, soothing every inch of his body. A giant hand cradles him gently, lifting him up till hot breath blows through his hair.
The kid dares to look up, and accidentally stares the monster right in the face. The man is covered in scars, one of his long tusks is broken off, replaced with a tusk made of solid gold. His eyes are swallowed in black, wide and focused only on him.
The golden one squeals apology, baring his throat. Tusks brush against his throat, followed by a warm tongue running over his fur. It's so big it covers half of his body. The child shudders, waiting for the bite, for the pain. It stings as the tongue passes over his cheek, cleaning the dust from the wound.
It takes the runt a few seconds to realize he's not being tasted. He's being groomed. He's being cared for, as if he was the brute's own sounder. As if he was more than just a burden, a runt, an accessory to be flaunted around for his shiny pelt.
The piglet leans into it, a happy little snuffle leaving his nose. The tongue is rough in texture, but oh so gentle, running smoothly over his fur until it shines.
He's always dreamt of this, always been jealous of the piglets that were part of the sounder, the ones that were deserving of love. He's nothing, a decoration. To be boasted about, but not cared for. Not like this.
The little piglin's stomach grumbles loudly, and the tongue stutters to a halt. Oh no… The kid squeals desperate apologies, cowering away as the monster rises.
The brute reaches for something, and the child's heart skips a beat. He is going to eat him after all, he was just getting him clean first… He whines loudly, cowering in on himself.
"Just hang on a moment, runt. This is hard to do with one hand you know. Food's coming, settle down." The Blood God mutters softly, rummaging around in a bag.
The runt should struggle, should bite the man and try to run. But he's so tired, and his head still really hurts. So, like a fool, he settles down. He closes his eyes, letting his mind float away as he listens to the purr pressed against his side.
"There it is. Wake up, little one. I've got something I think you'll like." The brute says, sitting him up gently.
The golden Piglet looks up hesitantly, expecting a blade. A small chunk of meat is held in the monster's hand. Hoglin. It smells fresh, not at all like the rotting scraps that he's sometimes allowed to eat. He's not part of the sounder, he doesn't get to eat with them.
The Blood God holds the chunk out invitingly, letting it rest on the little one's nose. The kid snaps it up before he even realizes he's moving. The meat is fatty and flavorful, rich and sweet. He licks his lips, his snout, trying to get every last bit.
Then, the man holds up another piece! This time, the runt manages to restrain himself. He glances up at the Brute, letting out a questioning snuffle. Is it really for him?
"Come on, I know you're hungrier than that. I got my own food, don't worry about it." The man soothes, pressing the food gently against the little one’s lips.
He's so hungry, he can't stop himself. He chomps down on the bite. The man grunts quietly in pain, and the child realizes he bit him.
The piglet lets out a desperate squeal of an apology, flinching away as he waits for the blow. It never comes.
"No no no, it's okay, I know you didn't mean to." The man soothes softly.
The runt bares his neck anyway, he knows how this works. He needs to be punished.
The monster snuffles gently into his throat, letting out a forgiving snort. The golden one gasps. He's never been forgiven before. Not even for little things, yet alone biting a brute. He goes limp, letting out grateful little snuffles.
Another piece of meat is pressed against his snout. This time he bites slowly, carefully. He doesn't want to hurt the monster. Even if he won't get in trouble for it. He's offered even more.
He eats till he can't anymore. He accepts another piece, but takes it out of his mouth and holds it close. Who knows when he'll have food again. He needs to save some.
“Is that your back up? How about we put it with the rest? I promise, it will be there when you’re hungry again.” The brute suggests, carrying him to a new room.
He holds the kid up to see his food hord. Dozens of Hoglin, a few chickens, and a Piglin are strung up on hooks. They hang over soulfire pits, the meat smoked and perfectly preserved.
It's so much foooooood, so much meat. Even though he's not hungry, his mouth waters at the sight of it all.
The piglet squeaks as hands wrap around him, lifting him towards the food hord. He doesn't want to be near the soul fire, he doesn’t want to be hung on a meat hook! He cries out, grabbing on tight to the fingers holding him.
"Set the food down, and you can have it later, okay runt?" The brute says patiently, lowering him to the ground.
Put his food… down? He doesn't want to, he really doesn't. Surely he won't be allowed back in here… But he doesn't dare disobey. He sets the bite of food down, resting it against the hoof of a Hoglin.
He's snuggled close again, and they leave the room. He can breathe again. The man really isn't going to hang him up like the others. Why? Why would he feed him? Clean him? Why is the monster purring again?
The golden kid is shifted onto his back, cradled in the beast’s arms. The man nuzzles him gently, chuffing every few seconds. The kid sighs happily, nuzzling him back with a soft snort.
“How old are you, runt? Never spent much time around kids before.” The brute asks, pulling away slightly to watch him.
The little Piglin doesn't want to answer. The man called him a baby. The runt is five whole years old, almost an adult. If the brute knows he's not a baby, he might stop being kind. But he doesn't want to be caught in a lie. The child holds up five fingers, tensing as he waits for the monster to react.
"Five? Five years?" The Blood God presses, his tone still soft.
The boy nods once, baring his throat. He lets out a desperate snort of apology. The monster forgives him, chuffing reassurances.
"So little. You're the best thing they've ever given me. So sweet, so cute." The beast whispers, his purr so loud it half drowns out the words.
The piglet whines with longing, snuggling as close as he can get. A purr of his own starts in his chest, stuttery and quiet. He didn't even know he could purr.
"My little treasure." The brute adds, the words cutting through the runt's joy like a knife.
The golden one's purr abruptly cuts off. The little Piglin tenses, covering his face so the man can't see the disappointment in his eyes.
A treasure… he almost thought someone loved him, and not just his fur. Of course the brute only likes him because he's shiny, because he's a treasure to be collected. He was so stupid to think otherwise.
The Blood God makes a sad, confused little noise. The runt braces to be dropped, or shaken. He isn't being pretty, he's hiding. He's not being a good treasure at all.
"Hey, what's wrong? Are you tired? Let's take a nap." The monster suggests gently, moving to another room.
There's a mound of gold coins, more than the child has ever seen in his life. The piglet waits for the man to dump him on the floor. Instead, he curls up in the pile, arms wrapped protectively around the small bundle of Piglin. The gold is warm, metal heated from an unknown source.
The blood God is still holding him close. Still purring. It's so warm, and soft, The Golden child yawns, eyes sliding closed against his will. Blatantly he realizes this is probably his only chance to escape, before the Brute does whatever he has planned for him.
But… It's not like the sounder would take him back anyway. Not like he was ever one of them to begin with. If he's going to be used as an accessory, he might as well be a well-fed one.
So he closes his eyes, and lets himself drift off.
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There's a knock. It's loud, demanding and familiar. The runt wakes with a startle, hurrying to get up, to look presentable. If he's caught sleeping on the job again, he'll get more than a beating this time. They might finally throw him into the lava, or feed him to the blood God, or- arms block him, pinning him to a giant breathing wall.
The golden piglet squeaks, trying to fight his way free. What has him?! What's going to eat him?! Giant blood red eyes blink down at him. Oh, right, they already fed him to the blood god. Only… he didn't eat him. He's not dead.
The beast holds him close, hushing him softly as he struggles to his feet. The kid goes very, very still. He gets a quick lick on the head, a nuzzle on the cheek. The brute isn't mad. Thank goodness…
The knock comes again, and the monster growls. Now he's mad… Even though he knows the man isn't mad at him, he stays perfectly quiet and still. He doesn't want that anger turned on him.
The blood god stomps his way to the door, moving the heavy stone with ease. The Elder stands with her staff raised, ready to knock again. She looks excited. That excitement is replaced with shock and confusion as her eyes land on the piglet. She scowls, clearly not happy to see him.
The child shies away from the anger, hiding his face in the brute's chest. The man coughs, drawing her attention to him instead.
"... What do you want, hag?" The blood god asks bluntly, clearly not amused.
She gapes up at him, at a loss for words. She quickly regains her composure, bowing low.
"A feast, my God. In celebration of you, and the good fortune you will bring us." She declares, her voice filled with false bravado.
"... Heh? More food? I have food. Lots of food. I don't need more. I'll take the mushrooms though. And the vines. They taste better fresh."
She stares at him for a long second, a scowl threatening to make itself known on her lips. It disappears as she snaps her hooves, waving the piglin carrying the giant hogling away.
The Piglin left carry baskets of mushrooms and vines. They bow down, offering the goodies over their heads.
The brute picks up a red mushroom, sniffing it carefully. The runt sniffs the air. It smells delicious, rich and earthy. They must have plucked them this morning. To the child's horror, his stomach growls. The elder glares at him, opening her mouth to snap at him like she always does.
The monster interrupts her with a soft laugh, lowering the mushroom down to the little one. It's bigger than the piglet's head! He glances up at the brute, snuffling a hesitant question.
"Eat up, runt. All yours." The man reassures him gently.
The golden child tries to bite in, but it's so big he can't get a good grip with his little tusks. The monster chuckles fondly, breaking the mushroom in half.
The runt takes a bite, and can't help humming in delight. The only mushrooms he's eaten before were stolen out of the garbage, slimy and deemed unfit to eat. This is fresh, perfectly chewy. He scarves it down quickly, worried the Brute will change his mind and take it away.
The brute hands the Pigling a smaller, brown mushroom. It's just as delicious as the first, and the perfect size for his little mouth. He gets a nod of approval as he takes an uncertain bite. The blood God purrs, nuzzling him close and chuffing fondly.
Every other Piglin gapes at them. The elder snorts in disbelief, a look of pure disgust and contempt dawning on her ugly snout.
The blood god turns his gaze onto her, and the gentle fondness evaporates like it was never there. He looks ready to murder, ready to maim. She takes a hasty step back, squealing an apology.
"What's his name?" The brute asks out of nowhere.
"Wh… what???" The old one questions cautiously.
"The runt. What's his name?"
"It doesn't have a name." The bitch scoffs. "It's known as the treasure of Theseus, from the scripts."
"Theseus… that will do. Tommy for short.” The blood god decides.
She stares at him like he's grown a second head. The seconds stretch out, the tension palatable in the air.
"Forgive me, my Lord. But that name is sacred, not fitting of that- that decoration! It doesn't need a name, it-"
"No, you aren't forgiven. Why can't he talk?" The monster snaps, cutting her off.
"Well, it knows not to. We trained it well. It's unbecoming of treasure to speak. It has no need." The woman boasts, looking proud of the statement.
The brute growls, the sound deep and menacing. It rattles the floor, the very walls of the bastion. A few Piglin lose their nerve, and flee on the spot. The basket of vines falls to the ground, rolling a few feet. It's dead silent. Those who remain hold their breath, waiting for the blood God to rain judgment down upon them.
"Now, if you're done spouting nonsense, go and make yourself useful for once. I want clothes, toys and gold small enough for Theseus here to use. And they had better be fit for a God." The monster spits out, already turning away.
He turns back to grab the basket of vines, then slams the door in her face. The child cowers at the rage shaking the beast's form. He's alone with the angry brute. He's the reason the Blood God is mad… He's fucked, he's so fucked…
The golden piglet curls in on himself, waiting for the rage to be turned onto him. The runt flinches when something taps his shoulder, letting out a frightened yelp. The monster chuffs reassuringly, gently rubbing the shoulder he touched. He doesn't look angry anymore, he looks… sad.
“Tommy.” The man says, like he’s trying the name out on his tongue. “Yes, that will do nicely.”
A name? He gets his own name? He’s never had one before… The gold one snuffles a question, daring to bump his forehead into the brute's chin. The man chuffs, snuggling him closer.
"I guess I'd better introduce myself, huh runt? Only fair you know my name, if I know yours. I'm Technoblade." The blood god states casually.
He has a name!?!? Tommy stares, bewildered.
“Yeah, I picked it before I knew how names work. Still the best one I’ve heard, in my opinion. Everyone else has such dull names like… Kevin. Or Neville. Nerds.” Techno complains light heartedly.
The monster grabs a vine, ripping the spikes off with his bare hands. The food is offered to the child, who grabs it with both hands. The vine is crunchy, and full of water. The little Piglin suddenly realizes how thirsty he is, and begins to knaw and suckle on the vine, trying to get as much liquid out as he can.
"Oh, of course. You must be thirsty. Let's get you some water." The blood God states, carrying him into the food room.
Tommy is set down. He stares at his feet, nervously waiting for the brute to return. W… water? He not supposed to get water. He gets enough to survive from the food that he eats. When he's allowed to eat.
Techno kneels down, and holds out a bottle of water. The golden runt stares at it. That can't be for him. The monster places it in his hands, uncorking the glass bottle for him. What's he supposed to… do with this? The child stares down into the bottle. How's he supposed to get it out?
Slowly he tilts it left and right. The liquid sloshes from one side to the other, completely foreign to anything the kid's seen before. He carefully tilts it, trying to catch the liquid in his hand. It spills out between his fingertips, refusing to stay.
The child squeals in distress, trying to bite the liquid as it escapes from the bottle. He accidentally breathes it in, the water going up his nose and into his lungs at the same time. He begins to cough, choking, confused and distressed.
Techno takes the bottle away, and begins to gently smack his back. Tommy shies away from the hand, trying to apologize through his coughing fit.
He messed up, the brute is hitting him- he's mad- he's going to kill him- he… Wait… It doesn't hurt? The strikes are soft, rhythmic. He can breathe again. Small fast gasps that don't seem to take in any air.
The monster is still purring, still cradling him close. The piglet doesn’t understand… Blatantly, he realizes the man is talking.
“-okay, you’re okay. I've got you. I've got you, Tommy. Just breathe." Techno is whispering. He doesn't… sound mad.
The child stays tense. He has to be in trouble, he just wasted water. It's already evaporated, lost forever. He messed up so bad…
Tommy squeals apology, clinging desperately to the man's shirt. He's forgiven instantly. The brute grooms him, gentle as can be.
The golden one is slow to relax. What was all that about? Why did the water hurt him? After a few minutes, the adrenaline fades. The child goes limp, snuggling close.
The beast takes out another bottle of water. Instead of handing it to the piglet, he dips a vine into it. He offers that to the golden kid instead. Tommy laches on, suckling the droplets of water off. The vine is pulled away, and the process is repeated.
It takes a long time, but eventually the little one is satisfied. He turns away from the vine the next time it's offered.
"All done? You did so well, runt. Tell me when you're thirsty again. I'll teach you how to drink properly next time. Okay?" Techno states softly, cupping the child's cheek in a hand.
Next time? The golden Piglin nods once, nuzzling into the hand. He's rewarded with a chuff.
Tommy feels good, better than he ever has before. He's not hungry, or thirsty. He's rested, groomed, even his wounds have begun to heal, just a faint ache easy to ignore. And best of all, he's not alone.
He'd give up everything else, he just wants the kindness, the love. It's selfish, he knows it is. He's not the man's sounder, he doesn't deserve it… But he doesn't care. He'll enjoy this while it lasts.
The kid is so relaxed, he begins to nod off. Suddenly, the sound of stone scraping against stone fills the air. The Tommy jolts up, cowering into Techno for protection.
"Easy runt, it's just one of the others." The beast tries to reassure.
OTHERS??? What the hell does he mean others???
The wall slides to the side, and a strange Piglin steps out. The man has soft brown fur, and glasses. Tommy stares, he's never seen a brown Piglin before. What is it doing here?
"Techno, brother!" The newcomer exclaims excitedly.
"We are not brothers, Wilbur. We've been over this." Is Techno's tired reply. But he's smiling.
Tommy has a bad feeling about this…