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Tommy couldn’t believe his ears as Techno’s mouth moved.
“T-o-mmy-ple-ase-Im-so-rry”
His lips just kept going even though Technoblade wasn’t a man who normally talked much. He was reserved, got his work done efficiently and with scary accuracy, he was smart, climbing the ranks fast and- Tommy had been stupid enough to see him as a man with potential. A person who was finally living up to his family’s standards, someone who could be their prodigy, their golden sword.
Techno’s face shifted as Tommy knew his own was shutting down.
Technoblade was a mole. He was placed here to get close; to lie, to steal, to cheat- He was a hero. Disgusting. Tommy thought he was someone better than that.
“Tommy.” Technoblade’s voice went hard in an attempt to cut through to him.
“No.” Tommy sliced his eyes to him. “You don’t get to use that tone on me.”
The hero’s eyes widened slightly. It was so easy to forget with Tommy’s age that he was the one who ran this whole operation. He was his father’s son, he built an empire and he wiped everyone off the map who stood in the way of that.
Tommy met the traitor’s eyes. This wasn’t the first time he’d been used, in this field of work betrayal was a constant, he’d gotten good at sniffing out rebel scum. He pulled out a knife, and when the worst came to pass - when his judgement was off and naive - he’d also learnt how to turn off his emotions.
“Tommy…” Technoblade pleaded.
“No.” Tommy replied as he stepped forward.
He did not let water well up in his eyes, he did not let his heart turn brittle and he did not let it break. He kept approaching and watched as the hero backed up.
What a waste… Tommy had spent so much on this man. He’d laughed with him, taught him lessons, dragged him through important civilian festivals and hugged him like he was a friend, like he was family…
His father knew all about Technoblade. He smiled as his son talked about him at the dinner table, he asked how the man was doing, requested to meet him and rolled his eyes fondly when Tommy refused. Tommy liked keeping those close to him for himself. He’d been burnt too many times, a million little stings from friends being fake, adults using him to get what they wanted and employees from his corporation stabbing him in the back.
Technoblade was supposed to be different, this was supposed to be another win like when Tubbo miraculously passed every test thrown at him and still stuck around. Tommy was so close to showing him off to his father, now all he could imagine was Phil’s disappointed frown as he revealed Techno was dead. He wasn’t looking forward to his dad placing a hand over his, trying to consol him in all the ways that never worked. Tommy would just need to grit his teeth and keep moving, keep living with another scar to his psyche. When the world asked why he was the way he was it never paused to remember what it’d thrown at him.
Technoblade was just another traitor. Tommy knew what to do with those… He lunged with his knife aimed at the man's chest.
Technoblade dodged and thanked his years of hero training for paying off. Tommy had a fire in him that wasn’t running out of fuel, his expression was focused and nothing Techno said slowed him down. The decision was made. Techno wasn’t on his side.
Technoblade wished with all his heart that things could be different. He hadn’t meant to fall for the kid, he wasn’t expecting to learn anything or grow in his time undercover.
This mission was supposed to be simple, Tommy wasn’t supposed to be funny or kind or pleasant. The business he ran was smooth, he treated everyone well and although he was loud, he was smart and passionate. He breathed life into every room he entered, he gave orders and upheld structure during times of chaos. Technoblade had been on a few heists with him and it was remarkable how the kid worked. He admired him, he wanted some form of connection, something real and not a result of his hidden agenda.
Tommy wasn’t shouting vitriol at him. He wasn’t screaming or crying or red in the face with anger.
Techno had seen his wrath before, it was bright and flashy with no room to question how the boy felt.
Tommy was silent, his face blank and his motions strong as he tried to cut him down. Techno wondered what they’d had between them, what Tommy thought of him. Was it all a lie? Had he tricked himself in the process? Were their quiet moments common to the boy? Did he hug everyone he hired or crack jokes after every powerful compliment that left his employees reeling? Did Tommy really like him or was it all for show? Had they really been friends? Close? Maybe brothers? Or were they just acquaintances even without the lies between them?
Technoblade’s hand moved to his pocket where he clicked an emergency switch. He remembered Philza passing it to him clear as day. The man had pushed it into his hands then kept them closed while whispering that he’d appear at a moments notice if it was pressed.
“My son likes you.” He said hushed. “I look after those he favours.”
Technoblade didn’t know why he was calling in the boy’s father for help. What if he’d unintentionally brought Tommy backup? What would Phil think when he found out who he was?
Technoblade kept retreating, never retaliating or pulling out a weapon to defend himself.
“Tommy…” He pleaded.
Maybe he just needed confirmation. If Phil turned on him as well than it would all make sense. Villains didn’t have it in them to care, it was all fake, Techno never meant anything to them.
Philza burst through the door and Tommy gave only enough time to catch sight of him in his peripheral before continuing to attack.
Phil watched them with calculating eyes then spoke up. “What’s happening?” He ordered.
Tommy skidded to a stop and pointed his knife at Techno. “Traitor. I’m dealing with it.” He said with a voice as hard as steel.
Technoblade put his hands up. “Phil.” His voice broke. “I-“
“Tommy stop.” Phil turned his attention to his son at Techno’s tone.
“No, Phil listen-” Techno backed up even as Tommy stayed still with his eyes locked on him. “Tommy’s got every right to be mad at me I just-“ He swallowed. “I want to explain.”
Philza marched over to his son and placed a hand on his shoulder. Tommy tisked and lowered his weapon.
“I’m- I’m a hero, I was sent to retrieve information on you both but I abandoned that mission very early on. I won’t tell the heroes anything that I learnt here, I just want to know…” He didn’t know how to word it. What? Did he think he still had a place here? “I-“ He didn’t know how to defend himself, Tommy had gotten so good at picking up the slack, understanding him without the air needing to be weighed down with his words.
“Aw mate.” Phil tilted his head as he stepped forward. Techno’s eyes rose up to him in hope, something like relief flared in his chest. Philza placed a hand on his cheek and he leaned into the touch. “You shouldn’t have admitted that to us.” The villain said darkly. Techno’s heart stilled. “We don’t accept traitors.”
The man’s hand moved down and pinched his shoulder.
Technoblade’s world went dark.
Technoblade woke up in a cell. The floor was padded, a bed sat in the corner and a sink was on the other side of the room. He glanced up at the bars leaving one wall open to Philza’s office. The place was nice but it was still a cell.
He curled his legs towards himself and hugged his knees. He guessed there was his answer. Regardless of what they’d had before they couldn’t get past the fact he was a hero. They were on opposite sides. They were not friends.
He shuffled over to the bed and faced the wall. He placed an arm over his eyes and sighed. He’d miss Tommy. He’d never met a boy like him before.
He curled up and draped the blanket he was given over his shoulders. He’d ruined all his chances with everyone in his life.
He wasn’t a hero or a villain. He was just a traitor and a prisoner.