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There used to be one constant in the cell. It was that no matter what, Dream was alone. He’d accepted it, it wasn't like he had a choice not to. Then Technoblade, for some reason, wanted to come check up on him. He knew it was a trap, he knew it was and he still risked his life to come there. He still came, he didn’t care.
It was stupid, he never let Techno go a day without reminding him of it. But Techno didn’t budge, he attempted to make Dream laugh, even in a situation like this. Techno tried to convince him that they were fine, that his friends would save them. The syndicate would help them, they wouldn’t leave him, and Techno would make sure that they wouldn’t leave Dream.
The first day was when Techno arrived, shortly after locking him in there, Sam came back in to give him a prison uniform. Looked like he wasn’t expecting him to leave anytime soon. It was similar to Dream’s, the only difference was that while Dream’s had 001 on it, Techno’s had 002 on it. Dream didn’t seem to enjoy having another cellmate.
Techno was fine with the cell at first. It was warm, it reminded him of the Nether. He had the perfect anatomy to withstand that heat. It almost comforted him, he just wished that the obsidian wasn’t so hard to sit on. Techno didn’t know how Dream could deal with this though, Dream wasn’t from the Nether, looking at him, Dream was more of a white enderman, who were more used to cold environments. Techno had to constantly wear warm clothes to bear the cold, but Dream just didn’t care, he didn’t enjoy it though.
So Techno made a few jokes. A fish out of water, though that was ironic for an enderman. They should switch places, have Dream be in the cold arctic with Techno in the warm cell. He’d offer the cape but Dream seems warm enough. Techno joked with Dream, but Dream just glared at him and ignored him.
Techno felt his chest drop a bit. Dream really wasn’t having it, he didn’t know what to do. Everything would be fine though, he knew it. Phil would read his will, he would call the Syndicate, and they would get them out. He could fulfill his side of the favour, maybe help Dream heal up, then it’s up to Dream what he would want to do.
Dream doesn’t have to enjoy the jokes, he just wished he could at least smile a bit. That would be enough.
The second day didn’t change much. Techno slept fine, but when he woke up, Dream was writing, he actually moved. Going from Techno’s left side to his right, sitting on the chest. He wasn’t mean to Techno when he woke up, he looked kind of relieved actually, like he was scared Techno wasn’t going to wake up. After it though, he wasn’t too empathetic, still treating him like he was stupid.
Techno tried to lighten up the mood a bit, not jokes, Dream didn’t seem to like those. He asked him if he slept well. Dream didn’t respond. Techno breathed in as he asked if he slept at all. Dream just glared at him. The conversation ended there.
Food dropped down, it was potatoes. Dream seemed disgusted with them, Techno figured that this was the only thing he ate. Techno looked at him mess with them, dreading eating him. He sighed and walked over to the lava, ready to try something. Dream seemed confused at it.
Techno did his best, but he tried to make it more bearable for Dream to eat. Techno always hated raw potatoes anyway, they were better when properly made. After this though, he promised he would keep any potatoes away from Dream. Luckily though, it seemed like he hated them less now.
On the third day, Techno started learning about Dream. He started observing him more. There were times where he just played with the book. He’d been writing that book for a while, that was fine with Techno, he could take as long as he wanted to list out what he asked. Dream had enough pressure already.
Dream also mumbled a lot. It wasn’t anything in english, it was actually in ender. Techno knew it because sometimes Ranboo would speak it. It wasn’t the most common language in the Nether, but it was useful to know with the enderman there. Ranboo was the reason Techno started to learn it again.
He was calling for his old friends, George and Sapnap. It was odd to hear. Techno tried asking about it. He asked about it, he asked if they visited. Only Sapnap did, he said he’d be back after the first time when he improved his behavior, he never visited again. Dream fell silent after that.
Techno tried to console him physically, putting a hand on his back. Dream just freaked out and got up to sit near the lava. That’s when Techno found out how much Dream hated being touched, but also almost needed it subconsciously. Because despite getting up, there was a moment where Dream full on leaned into his hand.
Dream still didn’t like it in the end. After that, he never mumbled about his old friends again. Techno felt bad, but it’s not like they were worth it anyway. They didn’t care, Dream shouldn’t be calling for them when they didn’t. Techno just hoped he could give Dream other people to call for when they got out.
Then there was the fourth day and fifth day. Techno didn’t sleep, he didn’t know why, he just couldn’t. The cell was quiet, but in a way that Techno was on edge. The heat of the cell was becoming less comforting. Dream was busy cleaning up his wounds, he still didn’t tell him how he got them. Techno wanted to ask, but Dream seemed done with questions, as if he ever wanted them in the first place.
When Dream took off his shirt, Techno could see the full extent of his scars. He knew they were from here. Techno could barely even see the ones he was responsible for in their duel. He could point out the ones Dream gave him just fine, but Dream’s were overtaken by new scars. They weren’t fighting scars, they were deliberate, made to hurt. It was a different kind of maiming, an unfair fight.
Techno asked if he needed help with them. Dream just shook his head. He just stopped there, Dream didn’t feel like talking. That was fine, Dream could take care of his own scars. If they were still that bad, then Philza could help him, he was great at taking care of others. As unhinged as he could be sometimes, he was a good parental figure, it seemed like Dream needed that.
Eventually Techno felt like falling asleep. Before he did though, just before he slipped into unconsciousness, he heard Dream scream loudly. There was a quick pit in his stomach before it went away as he fell asleep. Techno couldn’t remember his dream, but he remembered that at some point, there was Dream leaning on his shoulder. Dream did want physical comfort.
The sixth day, Techno woke up with Dream writing more. He was mumbling more though, this time it was about Tommy. It was louder, and Dream didn’t stop. It was just about Tommy. He talked about Wilbur, it came back to Tommy. He talked about L’Manburg, it came back to Tommy. He talked about a horse named “Spirit”, it came back to Tommy. He talked about a cat, his hope, Tommy.
What the strange thing was though, was that not all of it was negative. Techno could hear him, he could hear how distraught he was about what Tommy did to him. His talk of Wilbur's was the most jarring of the bunch. He talked of Tommy using his attachments, killing his attachments, not to mention the villain role that he felt like he drowned in for months that no one saved him from.
Dream’s talk of Wilbur though, was different. Because he only called Tommy a confused kid looking up to who he thought was a brother figure, and ended up hurting him because of how blind he was. He blamed Tommy for his pain but he didn’t at the same time. They were both confused.
Techno promised to himself to talk to Phil about Wilbur when he got out, it didn’t seem like he liked Wilbur too much, at least not as much as Wilbur liked Dream. The talk of Tommy still continued. He wished he killed him, he wished that last attachment was gone, he wished he could peacefully sever everything from him.
Techno considered making a joke, but that’s not what Dream wanted. But did he need that? Dream wasn’t doing good, maybe he did need something to cheer him up, just to make him stop drowning like this. He didn’t even know if it would work to help him, he might just freak out more. Techno knew he couldn’t listen to Dream though on that.
So the words just came out. Dream was talking about him this much, he’s more of Tommy’s prisoner than he is Sam's.
Dream didn’t like that, he stopped talking, he stopped clawing at his hair. Techno felt the air tighten a bit. Then he felt something hit him right in the eye, stumbling a bit and grabbing at it. Dream stood up quicker than he ever had before, for good reason, too, he was so off balanced, uncentered.
He yelled, he didn’t stop. Dream didn’t think they were ever getting out, no one would save him, no one tried. He wanted to be alone, to suffer in solitude rather than die with someone he cared about, someone who was his only hope of escaping this hell. Techno was silent during it, listening to whatever Dream had to say.
Eventually, Dream just dropped down on the ground. He looked like he was about to cry. Techno tried reaching out to him so that he could stop them from reaching his face, his tears would definitely burn him. Dream just flinched though, giving a small huff as he turned around and laid on the ground. Techno didn’t pull his hand back for another few seconds, debating whether he should comfort him or not. He just decided to pull back from Dream.
On the brighter side, Dream was quiet now. Techno could hear his breathing, it was rough, but it was calm. After a few minutes, Dream relaxed, he went to sleep. Techno hesitated at first, but decided to pull Dream next to him, just so he could make sure he was still alive. Techno picked up the book and started reading it.
Then there was day seven. Day seven, Techno played with his hands as he awaited when Quackity would probably come back. Day seven, Dream curled up between the chest and the wall. Day seven, they weren’t given any food yet. Day seven, Techno hated the heat
Techno looked at Dream, he didn’t know how he was alive, it seemed like everyday he was ready to collapse. He couldn’t handle another visit from Quackity. Techno knew his friends would come soon, but he had to keep Dream alive until then.
They both heard the clicking of redstone, the lava started falling down. Dream started panicking at it, clawing at his own hair. Techno breathed as he got up and walked over to him. Dream looked at him confused until Techno picked him up and sat down with him, his back facing the lava.
Techno could deal with whatever Quackity could do, as long as it kept Dream alive. Dream tried moving, but couldn’t, eventually just resting in Techno’s arms. He needed this, he needed this so much.
On the seventh day, prisoner 002 protected prisoner 001
On the eighth day, prisoner 001 took a heavily wounded 002 outside of the prison.