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A large military-style ship is spotted on the horizon, but the crew of the lesser vessel knows they won't be a challenge. Those aboard the Syndicate are strong-willed and hardy, known as a force to be reckoned with across the oceans. They are family, working together like a well-oiled machine. Despite the smaller ship, they are confident this will be an easy win and a hell of a lot of loot to sell in the future if the size of the other craft says anything. Not to mention, it seems important, based upon the structure and symbols painted across its surface.
The pink-haired captain scoffs, lowering his spyglass with a bored expression. He doesn't expect much from this raid, nothing important anyway. The military from whatever country they're near don't seem like the type to steal what belongs to him. Rubbing the symbol on his wrist, Techno yells to his crew, announcing their future endeavour ahead of them, listening to the shouts of confirmation in return, and they begin making preparations.
First, they raise the sails, guiding their vessel towards the other, riding the wind while watching the crew aboard the other ship. They don't seem concerned since they haven't changed course, nor have they shown any reaction to seeing the Syndicate. Of course, since it's the middle of the night, they would probably be asleep, blissfully unaware in their beds on unconsciousness, not a single worry for their near future. Or lack thereof.
The Syndicate is known for its lack of survivors, known for its unforgiving crew. They are infamous around the seven seas, those who see their vessel sail the opposite way. Within the short time they've been banded together as a team, they've gained a cutthroat reputation, and no one in their right mind tries to challenge them, excluding those with an exceptionally large ego, of course. Like these people, some prestigious military assholes probably think they stand a chance.
The captain scoffs, catching the attention of one of the younger members of the ship, Ranboo, who raises an eyebrow in his direction. Techno nods at him, flashing a cheeky grin, and Ranboo mirrors the expression before running off the gather his supplies from below deck. Techno's been quite fond of the kid since he joined around 7 or so months ago. He's fond of all the kids on board, often talking to Phil, his first mate, to discuss their standings on the ship. He thinks all three of them have the potential to be amazing pirates in the future.
They near the large ship, admiring the sleek ocean blue paint covering the craft, military symbols plastered obnoxiously over the side. So much for subtlety, that thing stands out like a fox in a field of white. Or like bright green scales in a sea of blue...
Techno doesn't want to think about it.
Instead, he readies himself, rushing to his quarters and gearing up, grabbing any weapons and bags he may need, both to kill and steal. He reaches up above his bed, swiping his favourite blade from the wall, on display next to the shelf of unique shells he's been gifted. He keeps the things that mean most to him above his bed, a constant reminder of what he's lost. It may not be healthy, but at least it can remain at the front of Techno's mind, where it belongs at all times. After all, everything Techno has done this past year was for him.
And this is why Phil tells him to pack up the relics because when he sees them, he spirals into a rabbit hole of regret and self-blame. Fuck, this is why he didn't want to think about it.
Sheathing his sword, the pinkette smirks, putting on his game face. This ship stood no chance against them. By the time he reenters the main deck, Phil, the first mate and helmsman, had steered close enough to the other vessel whilst instructing further orders to those who needed more to do. He seemed joyful. They all did. Techno turns to the trio of boatswain, Ranboo, Tubbo and Tommy, readying the anchor to be dropped. They looked focused but also buzzing with excitement.
No matter how many raids they do, they never get sick of it. Each pillage is different, with new loot and various opponents, so it's almost impossible to get bored.
Puffy is running around with Niki above deck, Master Gunner and Gunner rushing around, preparing everyone's weapons, both carrying a grin. The rest of the crew, such as Wilbur, the quartermaster if Phil wasn't able, Eret, the cook, and Bad, the doctor, ran around frantically. The crew is transitioning between below deck and above, grabbing all sorts of necessary supplies, such as medical, food and weapons.
A sense of positivity always radiates through the group before a raid since everyone enjoys the new loot they always seem to get, plus the fighting and searching. It's a big game of hide and seek, where the hiders are either unwilling participants or loot they can steal. They are bloody, expensive and so much fun.
Tommy hopes that they can find better food aboard the other vessel since they haven't been able to stop at the mainland for supplies in a while, and the food they have isn't as tasty as it was a week ago. Not saying Eret is a lousy cook, of course. In fact, he's fantastic and beloved by the crew, but sometimes the kids just want something fresh. You can only have bread so many days in a row before the staleness catches up and begins to bother you. He expresses this to his friends, who nod in agreement, and the trio starts theorising on what foods they may find.
Techno smiles as he passes the teens, mentally agreeing and hoping for new food aboard the new ship.
Deploying the anchor is slightly tedious since the teens don't want to be too far where they are an easy target and not too close to colliding with the other vessel. Luckily, with the number of raids they've done over time, and the amount of trust their captain has in them, the three are well versed in this, and the moment they hit the imaginary stop sign, the anchor is thrown overboard with a loud SPLASH, halting the vessel.
Techno shouts out a collection of orders, final instructions of their battle plan, such as groups and locations they are splitting into. Cheers and shouts of battle echo through the crisp wind, Zephyrus carrying their words into the air, away as the Goddess Athena watches with a pleased smile.
Honestly, Techno is disappointed by the raid. Somehow, most of the other ships crew remained in their quarters, sleeping through the chilly night, making the event easier than expected. The groups depart, Tommy, Tubbo, Ranboo and Wilbur spitting off, going straight below deck searching for a good fight or the best treasure. The group leave a trail of chaos and destruction behind them, the blood on their clothes making them less innocent than they appear. It's a fact that has made the pink-haired captain beyond proud over the past year they've been together. All of them have come so far within their confidence, especially Ranboo.
The black and white-haired boy was a ball of anxiety and nervousness when he'd first arrived, shyly asking to come with them from the mainland, escaping those who wanted him dead for his appearance. He was afraid of everyone, and as the newest edition to the crew, was often overwhelmed by those aboard. Thankfully, Techno's team is kind, all from mysterious or depressing backgrounds, so they all understood the kid's situation. Now, he's grown so much, determination and self-esteem blooming, ready to do anything for his newfound family.
The fight against this crew was underwhelming, almost like they knew their fate. Techno wouldn't be surprised since he and Phil have gained a vicious reputation across the seven seas. Yes, sure, most of the soldiers were sleeping, but they should be ready for attack at any time. Another group consisting of Eret, Bad, Puffy and Niki went below deck to help the other group search, as Techno and Phil stayed above, looting the main deck. The helmsman of this vessel was an elderly man, and Techno almost felt an ounce of sympathy as he slit his blade against their throat. Almost. Instead, the duo brushed it off, collecting whatever they found in different cabins. Gold, compasses, food, freshly caught fish, ammunition, this ship was a jackpot. And that was just above deck.
The two decide to wait on the top for their crew to return, which didn't take too long, seemingly everyone found it as easy as the two in charge. They appeared with packed bags and smiles, less tired than usual, confirming the lack of real effort within this raid. Slightly disappointing, but what can you do?
"Are all the rooms clear?" Techno questions, raising an eyebrow. The eight other people look at each other before nodding and grinning. Just as Techno is about to make another order, he hears Niki shout something at him, but his instinct has already taken over. He senses the presence before the majority of the people see them behind the pinkette.
He turns around, hearing gasps from his friends behind him, and his painted nails dig into soft flesh, gripping and pulling the intruder over his head, slamming their back to the metal deck with a loud thud, knocking the wind from them. A clatter vibrates the decking, the fall of the attacker's weapon hitting the floor. The person lay on their back, as Techno jumps onto him, pinning them as he straddles their torso, Techno's favourite blade presses against the delicate skin of the neck. All within a matter of seconds.
The man has dark eyes and a misplaced grin painted across his face. He seems smug, for what? Techno has no idea, especially since they've just murdered this man's entire crew. His clothes remind the pinkette of a typical military bastard, a camouflage jumpsuit with that stupid matching cap. The colour is off and doesn't blend in with anything out in the ocean at all. It looks like this man simply walked from the army and joined the navy instead. No costume change is needed, apparently.
“Caption Technoblade, leader of the Syndicate, I would wait before killing me if I were you.” The man announced, not an ounce of fear within his voice. Foolish, if you asked the pinkette, especially with the man’s beloved blade pressed across their neck and their back to the floor. Yet despite the power he holds, Techno waits intrigued by the statement.
“And why is that?” He snarks, tightening the sword against the man’s neck. A silent threat to not waste his time.
“I have something you may want, and you can’t obtain it if you kill me. I am the only one alive now who knows where it is.” Techno raises an eyebrow, looking to his crew as if they may understand the words coming from the soldier’s lips. They all shrug, looking at each other in confusion. The fact that this man so casually addressed his dead crewmates as nothing as a mere afterthought bothers them all deep down.
"Yeah, I get that, but what is it? Cause I can always break-in, it's not that hard, and you're boring me," the monotone in his voice remains even and heavy, expressing the boredom and impatience Techno and his crew are feeling, any confusion overshadowed by annoyance. "Quit dragging this on, or I slit your throat, sink this ship and move on with my night."
The man, pinned between a sword and the metal ground, laughs, deep and malicious, and Techno will never admit the shiver that almost breaks out through his body as the noise.
The sea screams with the force of her waves, rocking the ship, causing all of them to stumble. It seems the goddess of the sea isn't happy with this arrangement, making her wrath known to those aboard the vessel. Techno ignores the familiar tingle in his heart, puzzle pieces beginning to click together. The eerie darkness of the waters makes the sudden violence of the ocean more foreboding, and the pinkette hates the sparkle of hope the is just barely present in his chest.
"First of all, if you sink the ship, it will die, alone and scared. Second of all, he's spoken highly of you, Captain Technoblade," there's a smirk in his voice, but Techno looks past it, removing the sword swiftly and stabbing it into the metal beside the man's neck. Anger and fear course through his veins. Before he can even blink, Techno shifts, knee pressed heavily into the man's sternum, full-body weight pressing down against his ribs. Techno's breathes come in and out rapidly, red eyes glowing with hatred. The sparkle of hope exploded like a firework, energy flowing through his veins.
The crew collectively steps back in shock, no one knowing what the man is referencing, except a blonde man standing towards the back. His eyes darken.
"How do I get him out," Techno yells, the first sign of emotion showing all night, anger and the slightest hint of desperation that only those closest to Techno would pick up on.
The man simply laughs, breathy and effortful from the lack of air making it to his lungs. Techno presses harder, yelling a collection of curses and requesting to know where 'he' is. The group watches in horror as the man beneath the pinkette just laughs as if he has the upper hand right now. And honestly, from the desperation in Techno's voice, he might.
Phil steps forward, calling their captains name, though he's too focused on getting this information. The rest of the crew is beyond confused, some, especially Ranboo, bordering fear from the unhinged look in their usually stoic and calm leaders eyes. Phil pushes through them, not saying a word as they stumble to the side. That's how they know this is serious. Phil is always smiling, always polite and always one for conversation, but now? His face is dark, serious and cryptic.
Phil calls out again, moving towards the pinkette and grabbing onto his arm. Ruby red eyes snap to meet kind blue, hand instinctively raising for an attack but halting when making eye contact with his longest friend. "Get off him, mate, we'll find him, but you can't kill this man, not yet."
Techno knows Phil is right and hates it, yet he gives in, releasing the man from underneath his weight, relishing in his gasps for air. He steps back, placing a hand over the picture on his wrist, the knowledge of its existence providing minimal comfort. He listens as Phil turns to acknowledge the rest of the people in the group, closing his eyes and trying to gather his breath. Though they snap open quickly, as images of what has been and could be, appear where there should be darkness.
Phil commands two crew members, Eret and Niki, to pick up the man and restrain him. Phil knew the captain was in no state right now than to command his crew, and honestly, Phil wasn't fairing much better. But he had to do this, despite how much he adored the man they both know is here somewhere. It was difficult to speak, a bubble resting at the base of his throat, but the crew manage to understand him while also picking up on the innately apparent severity of the situation.
Techno still saw red in his vision, watching as Niki and Eret step toward the man. The pinkette expects him to fight, to struggle away, but there is nothing. He was surprised to find the man had given up his fight, instead letting them pick him up and haul him to his feet. He sighs, loud and obnoxious, telling them where to begin the journey to find the mysterious 'him'. Phil turns to the others, looking everyone over, internally making decisions.
"Wil, take the kids back to the boat. Start loading up the loot from here. Everyone else, leave your bags of items that you've collected and follow us." He concludes, voice final and already turning away to begin the descent into the large vessel. Tommy seems to want to protest, but one look at the state of their usually fearless and stoic captain, and he's nodding before turning away, catching up with the other three who've already started loading.
The remaining crew, Bad, Eret, Niki, and Puffy, follow Phil and now Techno down below deck. Niki and Eret look to each other, both taller than their captive, and exchange uneasy looks. The team is still beyond confused about what they're looking for, yet the knowledge has to be vital for their captain to suffer this almost dissociative reaction. Bad is concerned that they may have missed something important, something obviously important that will earn them a stern word with their captain and first mate later until he remembers the now prisoners words. 'I am the only one alive now who knows where it is' , meaning they wouldn't have found whatever it is anyway.
The group of seven walks swiftly and purposeful through corridors filled with blood, rooms of bodies lying in their beds, a mark of the locations they have already visited. The amount of death around them should bother any of them, but they're used to it by now. Plus, Techno will finally have completed his goal by the end of this. Hopefully.
It's just after a few minutes of only simple directions that the prisoner speaks up again.
"I'm not sorry, Captain Technoblade. I could never be sorry for tainting a creature as stunning as him. I know I die here, but I couldn't leave him to rot. He was too much fun, too beautiful to let die alone." Puffy cringes at the words, looking hesitantly at their captain and watching as he surprisingly didn't react. Despite his calm demeanour, he leans over and whispers to Phil, who nods back, sympathy clouding his gaze. They notice his gaze linger on the pinkette as the man continues walking forward. The captive groans quietly, opening his mouth again, clearly wanting a reaction.
"You should've heard his screams, Philza. They were magical; I know the famed Angel of Death would be proud of my work. Or even the proclaimed Blood God, you will be satisfied with the bloodshed caused at my hand. Did you know he begged for you? Every day I visited him, he pleaded for you. He was powerless to stop me, poor, beautiful creature."
Techno doesn't respond, but Phil notices the slight clench in his fists. No matter how much they both want to murder the man behind them, who thinks it's funny to keep running his mouth, they can't. Not yet, at least.
The prisoner huffs at the lack of reaction, but Niki can see a minor smirk curling at the edge of his lips, and it makes her want to feed him to the sharks as soon as possible, watch him become shark bait, torn to pieces for whatever it is he did to whoever he's captured. She knows it's not something good from context clues and facial expressions alone, and honestly, she's terrified to see. It's obviously someone who means a lot to Techno, and since they don't know a lot about his and Phil's past before the Syndicate, Niki has no clue who it could be. Niki loves everyone, but if she could tear out the man's voicebox with her bare hands right this second, it would've already happened.
They all seem to put the strange words behind them quickly, as they keep moving in the direct path towards an unknown goal. Well, unbeknownst to a few of them, the two in charge seem to understand exactly what's going on. Techno walks with determination, a fire that the crew has never seen before, and Phil occasionally throws anxious glances towards the captain while matching his speed and fervour.
They approach a dead end in the passage, and without any warning, and the man in their capture yells to stop, startling everyone. His voice fills the halls, echoing and bouncing off each metal wall before assaulting the ears of those in the group. They honestly wouldn't be surprised if the trio of teens outside could hear it, maybe disturbing them as they loot.
Technoblade spins around, red eyes gleaming with hatred and determination, swiftly approaching the captive. Under the vicious gaze of their captain, the man seems to shrink, his confident and cocky persona cracking slightly. He seems to believe they've been led astray, that this man thought it was funny to waste his time. Phil places a hand on his arm, in the bend from his elbow, and Techno breathes out, understanding the non-verbal message from his best friend. Calm down.
"Alright, it's in there," he stiffly points a finger to the metal wall at the end of the hall, unable to move his whole wrist from where it was in Erets hold. The crew remains still where they are, waiting for their captain's actions, albeit insanely confused about entering a literal wall. They, specifically Puffy, raises an eyebrow at Phil, the only one of the three who know what's happening that doesn't look insane, instead madly concerned. The man simply throws them a kind smile before shaking his head, a silent way of telling them to wait, be patient.
"Captain Technoblade, Techno if I may-"
"You may not,"
"-Please place my left hand on that wall right now. It should open and lead you to my prize." The man finishes, unaffected by their captain's tone. Techno derides, gesturing for Niki and Eret to drop him, to which they easily comply, not an ounce of care or sympathy for him. The man crumbles, swearing under his breath when he's unable to catch himself before collapsing onto the hard metal floor, knees hitting hard against the cool material.
"He's not your prize, you filthy squid. He's a living, breathing person. If you so much as touched him, I will make your life an endless cycle of pain." Techno's voice reverberates through the ship, ricocheting off the walls and striking everyone's eardrums. The man looks up to the pinkette, smirking through his greasy and sweaty hair, a sign of the stress he hasn't been showing. Yellow teeth beam at him, and Techno scrunches his nose. He can practically smell the colour.
"Not sure about breathing anymore, but guess I'm in for an endless cycle of pain," he snickers, yelping when his arm is yanked up, and Techno drags the man like a ragdoll over to the blank wall. The captive tries to steady his legs beneath him but fails to maintain any grip, slipping and falling all over the place. The pink-haired captain forces his hand up, practically yanking it from the socket and slamming it against the wall. The man squeaks, feeling the muscles pull beyond their limit in his limb. Any semblance of control or bravery abandons his body. A few moments of silence pass extremely slowly before a few mechanical clicks sound, and the wall shakes.
Techno steps back, tossing the man back towards his crew with little effort, as if he were nothing but a ragdoll, without so much as taking his eyes off the wall.
"Take him back to the ship, lock him in the cellar. Don't kill him, but you may do anything else to him. Make it hurt. Surprise me with what you can do." Techno spits out, narrowed blood-red eyes never leaving the captives. And with that tone, the crew knew better than to question him, so they turned tail and swiftly moved back done the way they came, dragging the shook prisoner with them, leaving only Techno and Phil and a leisurely opening wall, as if there was nothing important behind. Nothing incredibly urgent that the two had searched a year to find.
Slowly, the wall sinks into the ground, disappearing into the metal below like a car window, and the two men are hit with heat once a significant gap has been created, leaving them to shift uncomfortably, sweating and anxious. Techno taps his foot impatiently, waiting for the door to fall entirely, digging his nails into his palms to release the tension somehow. He feels someone touch his arm and jolts, making eye contact with Phil, who gives him a calming yet sympathetic smile, which does wonders for Technoblade's nerves. It allows him to breathe, knowing he's not alone in this, and someone who cares for what's behind the door as much as he does is with him. He closes his eyes and turns back to the wall, waiting until it's entirely down to see the inside, although he knows it won't be pretty.
That man may be psychotic, but he doesn't come across as a liar.
The door hits the bottom with a harrowing BANG, sending shockwaves through the metal floor and through the duo's feet, further adding to the nerves and fear. Some part of Techno is too afraid to look, yet he knows he needs to. If they thought the temperature was terrible before, now that the door is completely open, it's almost unbearable, like a faulty sauna that just gets hotter and hotter. He hears a sharp intake of breath from behind him, and the cord of anxiety finally snaps inside him, eyes flying open and instantly widening.
The room was pretty small, each of the 3 walls lined with everflowing lava, explaining the heat. Blocking the lava in seems to be thin glass, and Techno ignores the physics of that process since the lava shouldn't be able to be contained like that, at least not to his knowledge. The lava reminded him of the infamous inescapable prison Pandora, holding only the worst of the worst. This seemed to be a mini recreation in the way it was laid out. Like Pandora, it's almost like a maximum-security prison, trapping a singular captive within magma barriers.
In front of where the two men stand in shock is a glass floor displaying the vast ocean below them, with an obsidian bridge leading forward. They can see seaweed and fish beneath them, taunting the captive within of a location they can't reach. A site they must so desperately wish to travel to, to escape. The pinkette can't imagine how terribly they must want to just dive in a never look back. But alas, connected to the obsidian path, however, is the worst part. This makes Techno's heart shatter into a million pieces, and Phil feels tears build behind his eyes.
A glass enclosure, not much bigger than two phone boxes stuck together, containing thick red liquid and little room to move around. It's more of a display case than an enclosure, purpose to showcase the creature within. The floor is made of obsidian, sharp and unforgiving to the fins that swipe across in with every jolt of the boat. Three chains come from the glass, two attached to pale and limp arms, hands drooping down despite the water that fills the container if you can even call it water anymore. It's more diluted with mysterious red colour than anything, and it doesn't take a genius to understand the red.
The third chain comes from the bottom of the tank, a broad, silver clasp wrapped painfully and tightly around what once was a bright green tail with wonderfully cared for scales. Now, it's more red and irritated, faded to dull green with picked off and damaged scales, uncared for and ruined. Some seemed to have been pulled off purposely, something that makes Techno's blood boil more. The position in which he's chained imitates that of Christ on the cross. The significant difference is Christ endured the torture for hours before passing on, whereas the mermaid has been chained there for months, still living and surviving, a tortured soul.
The second Techno raises his gaze to the figures head --which was dropped forward, chin to chest, matted blonde hair flowing messily in the water, nothing like the beauty and grace from what Techno remembers-- he snaps to action.
Phil watches from the doorway as Techno sprints forwards, pressing his hands against the tank desperately, head jerking around frantically, looking for a way to help his beloved out. The heat doesn't bother him now, since the condition of his love causes a chill to run through his body, freezing his blood and bones. Techno slams his hand on the glass, trying to get a reaction, wanting to make sure the man he loves more than anything is still breathing. The taunt from the man earlier returns, 'not sure about breathing anymore,' and Techno loses it. He shouts the merman's name, slamming harder, desperate for any kind of reaction. The glass is burning to touch, and the pinkette can't imagine the water inside. Water needs to be cold for merpeople to heal and breathe properly. Water that will be slowly suffocating his boyfriend.
The older man views them reunite with sad eyes, remembering the days before the Syndicate where Techno and Dream would lay together, Dream in his human form, cuddling and looking at each other with an unfathomable amount of love and care. He remembers when all three of them would stay up late and end up watching the sunrise. Dream's eyes were always mesmerised by the colours, but Techno's eyes always watched Dream. The two were helplessly in love, soulmates if Phil could say so himself. Phil himself adored Dream, remembering the pure joy that radiated from the man at all times, a living, breathing become of happiness.
He also remembers the day before Dream's disappearance, where Techno had never been happier within his life, and Dream was the same. He came from a colony attacked by sea creatures, leaving Dream as the only remaining merperson from his clan, wandering the ocean with no purpose. No purpose until he met Techno. It felt like the stars had aligned for the two of them that day. Fate could be kind, but oh so cruel.
Phil and Techno merely owned a small fishing boat at the time, only aspiring to transition into the pirate life but still needing to sell their catches for enough to buy a better ship. After tossing a net into the waters, specifically into a school of tuna that was below, Dream was caught while trying to catch some fish for a meal, became tangled and frantic. He cut his tail against the net, becoming injured and panicked. He screamed and shouted at them in Mermish, and neither of them was able to distinguish the various whistles and squeaks of Dream calling out to a family that was long gone.
His tail was a mix of bright to forest green scales, a gradient from dark to light at the fins, along with some almost brownish side fins against his hip bones. There was a crack along a few of his scales, seeping a small amount of red from where he'd cut against the net, but it didn't look too bad. A bit of ointment should be set to heal, depending on if merpeople's tails heal the same as humans do.
The merman's eyes were magical sage green, bright and curious, but also feared and panicked. They drew Techno in, enchanting him under a spell of beauty. Small green scales travel across his cheekbones like some sort of contour, and green spots akin to freckles span across his shoulders, cheeks and arms. Elongated ears were covered by wet blonde hair, still remaining curled despite the water weighing it down. The pinkette just knows it looks mesmerising within the waters, especially if it still looks gorgeous above water. He was absolutely beautiful.
Techno was able to cut him free of the net, despite the merman wiggling, not trusting the man holding a blade so close to him. Yet, Dream fell from the net, caught by Techno, who instantly dived to grab him. Phil still remembers the first moment they locked eyes properly. At that moment, Phil knew there was going to be something special between them. From the merman's confused and hopeful green eyes to the fishermen's fascinated and awed gaze, they were both mesmerised. There was a jolt of energy between them, like a strike of lightning passed between their eyes, and that was the day Phil believed in love at first sight.
Though the moment broke when Dream wiggled from Technos grasp, tail slipping out from where it was gentle cradled, before placing a small kiss on his cheek with a mischievous smile before diving back into the waters below. An angelic harmony followed, the merman singing to them as he seemingly swam further away, the sound growing quieter and quieter. Techno was awestruck after that, cheeks the same colour as his eyes, but also overwhelmed by sadness, believing he would never see the remarkable merman again. Oh, how wrong he was.
Dream, as they later found out was his name, ended up following them for a while, watching them and slowly understanding their routines and actions, assessing the danger level between the fishermen. Despite already knowing a little bit, he picked up more of their language and often practices conversations to himself quietly, repeating words he hears from the two men. He watches from a distance, desperately wanting the social interaction that he seeks so severely, and when the temptation becomes too much, the loneliness that settles in his bones feels a little too cold; he introduces himself formally or tries to.
Eventually, a week or two after their first meeting, Dream revealed himself once more, leaping from the sea and onto the side of the boat, startling both men to the point where Techno fell backwards in surprise, falling into the waters. He was so stunned by seeing the merman again that his brain couldn't catch up to his actions, and he sank. Dream gasped, and before Phil could blink or get a single word out, he was back in the water, vivid green tail sparking as it hits the water once more. His delicate, pale arms wrap around the pinkette's underarms, pulling Techno to the surface and, with the force of his tail, shooting him up and onto the deck of their small boat. Phil just watches from a distance as Dream checks him over, carefully looking for injuries or any sign of hurt. Meanwhile, Techno was frozen, which was greatly concerned to the merman, who had simply no experience with human emotions.
When he glances up at Phil with worried and gleaming eyes, making him look so innocent, the man smiles, crouching by the panicking merman to help with Techno. As Phil tries to bring the pinkette back to awareness, Dream sat on the edge of the boat, apologising and introducing himself in surprisingly clear English. Little did they know the amount of practice that took the blonde over the past week for that first introduction. Techno, who was just coming back into awareness, became lost in the soft tone of the blonde's voice, sweet like honey.
Dream would always travel below them from that moment onwards, meeting them by the docks every morning to swim out to the open ocean with them, sometimes helping them catch different fish that would earn the most money. Techno and Dream bonded through this time, not to say Phil didn't, but the two became inseparable. One time, Dream was 5 minutes late to the docking area, and Techno almost fell into a panic attack, worrying and freaking out until bright green fins reached the surface, handing them a bag of freshly caught cod.
Watching their love blossom was something Phil will eternally treasure the privilege of witnessing, especially the excitement when the two purchased their first vessel and the moment Dream revealed he was able to become human for short periods. Dream was brave, beautiful, and so very caring.
However, the day it all went wrong was on Techno and Dream’s first anniversary of being official boyfriends, or seaspouses as Dream calls it. Dream woke up before Techno, sliding out from where the two lay in bed in each other’s arms, trying not to make noise while exiting the room. Techno had crafted them a waterbed after Dream complained about not being able to stay in his human form long enough to sleep the whole night, making it slightly challenging to shift into his legs and sneak out. Outside, he found Phil sitting above deck reading a book and excitedly explained his plan to find a pearl for Techno. He explained that pearls were significant to his clan, representing loyalty and immense love for someone. He called it the final stage of courting, and the human beamed. Phil was becoming equally excited from Dream energy, and he wished him luck as the blonde’s legs morphed into a tail. He shouted his goodbyes before diving overboard to look for his gift, assuring the older that it wouldn't take longer than a few hours.
They never saw Dream again. Not until now.
Techno was distraught, wouldn’t come out of his quarters for days, and when he did, his eyes were always bloodshot and teary, until one day when he proposed the idea of the Syndicate to Phil, the soul purpose of finding those who took Dream. Still, of course, they’d never share that information with their new crew, wanting Dream to remain their special secret. Technoblade became a feared name over the next year, known for destroying every ship he came across, stealing and killing. He even gained the nickname Blood God, but he never found what he was looking for,
Not until now.
Now Phil watched with a heavy heart as the pinkette desperately touches the glass, the need to save his beloved from where he's held captive overcoming his sense of rationality. Phil shivers despite the heat of the room, ice-cold dread filling his body as he looks at Dream's lifeless body hanging helplessly.
So, as the clearest mind in the room, Phil runs forward, feet smacking against the obsidian, ignoring the roughness that reflects the condition of the bottom of a dull green tail. He doesn't focus on Techno, instead walking around the tank, noticing a skinny and fragile looking ladder attached to the back of the tank. Without wasting a second, Phil climbs it, finding a bronze latch on the top, holding closed a small opening rusted but still firm as the blonde tries to break it. He pulls himself carefully on the glass, grabbing the lock and examining it.
Techno finally snaps from his devastated daze, notices his friend's actions, and instantly pulls his shirt and cloak off, leaving them beside the tank near the ladder. He wants to have something dry and familiar to wrap his seaspouse in once freed from his prison. He pulls a pin from his pink hair, handing it wordlessly to Phil, who nods at him before shoving it in the lock. As the older fiddles with the lock, Techno climbs the ladder to join his friend atop the tank. A loud and satisfying click echoes through the room, and a sigh of relief passes between the two pirates.
Contrary to the merman, whose head snaps up at the sound, and even though they can't see his expression, they know it's not a positive one if the shivers racking his body and tense muscles are anything to go by. The merman pulls against his chains, something slightly comforting to Phil since it shows that despite not knowing where Dream has been for a year, he still hasn't lost his fight. He still has his spirit.
The second Phil lifts the glass door, Techno jolts to action. Without hesitation, the pinkette splashes into murky red water, hair tangling and spreading around the place. Hot, the water is so incredibly hot. So much hotter than what it should be for a saltwater merperson like Dream is. Despite the searing skin, he focuses, pushing the pain aside. Through the thick water, he sees Dream's eyes are fogged over, and he's panicking, so Techno instantly begins cooing and whistling small phrases of comfort he knows in Mermish, knowing his native language, one which he's sure the blonde hasn't heard in months, will calm him down. The combination of familiar phrases and Techno's voice manage to alert Dream as to who is there, and the blonde's eyes widen, darting around the small tank and letting out a high shrill at the sight of his love. Dream know's he's safe, and through his own language, he makes sure Techno knows how grateful he is.
Despite the lack of practice, Techno manages to understand, and he smiles, subconsciously hating that the water in his mouth and nose is full of the blood of his beloved.
Techno focuses on calming his boyfriend for the first few seconds, a collection of incoherent noises and tones coming from the tank, only a few in which Phil recognises. He didn't spend nearly as much time as Techno did with Dream, so he didn't learn as much Mermish as the pinkette, but still a few phrases.
Techno comes back up for air after about 20 seconds, losing oxygen a lot quicker because of the communication between him and Dream.
"Phil, the pin," he holds out his hand, and Phil complies instantly, dropping the pin into his hand before descending the ladder and picking up Techno's discarded clothes. He throws them over his shoulder as he ascends the ladder once more before preparing them for when the pinkette releases the merman and for safe transport back to their ship.
Meanwhile, Techno has dived back into the tank with Dream, fiddling desperately with the chains on his arms and tail to get them off as soon as possible. They unclasp reasonably quickly, but that's not surprising from the saltwater they've been soaked in for a year. Techno tries his best not to react to the large red, black and blue marks from where the chains were a moment ago, instead silently planning their newest captives next week of hell aboard the Syndicate. He returns to the surface several times to avoid passing out from lack of oxygen, but every second he's out of the water makes him feel all the more useless. It's times like this that he wishes he could breathe underwater like Dream.
Other times he wanted it when Dream and he went swimming, and the pinkette couldn't stay under with his boyfriend for long. Now he wishes for it to rescue Dream from his hell.
The worst and most devastating part of Dream, however, is his tail. The chain has cut through the scales in a thick line and caused a build-up of enamel under the metal, causing the flesh beneath to blacken and scar. The pinkette knows the horror he'll witness in the blonde's eyes when Dream sees it. Techno wants to cry at the sight, mourn over lost vibrant green and beautiful browns but quickly recognises that Dream cannot swim from his injuries or is simply too weak. Despite clearly being underweight, he starts sinking slowly to the bottom of the tank, eye closing but desperately fighting to stay awake. Techno can't imagine the pain he's in right now. This close, he can count every rib and practically watch the organs work through the skin.
Techno quickly loops his arms beneath Dream's underarms and kicks to the surface, lungs burning and screaming for air. One part of him feels internally selfish for needing something stupid like oxygen right now when Dream is dying in his arms. The other part of him, which sounds suspiciously like Dream, tells him to shut up and stop being an idiot.
Once he breaks the surface, Phil is there instantly, pulling Dream from his arms and then the tank, the sound of dripping water not fully registering as he swiftly wraps the merman in Techno's clothes. Phil ensures that the cloak is up by his nose, allowing him to breathe in Techno's smell for a while. A bit of comfort.
The pinkette heaves, trying to get enough air in his lungs while getting out of the tank, hating the way his once white pants were now stained red from the water. He knows his hair must be a darker pink now, and he wants to cut it off and never have to see it. He knows his skin is burnt and pink, but that’s not his focus right now.
When he's back on the ground, Phil has wrapped Dream up completely and hands him to Techno straight away, sparing him a soft and comforting smile. Techno pretends the tears in his eyes don't exist as he blinks them away, and Phil does the same. The pinkette cradles the blonde in his arms, still not fully processing that he's back. His seaspouse is back here in his arms, and he's never letting him go again. He leans over to kiss Dream on the head, loving how the blonde leans into the gesture instinctively. Techno watches his eyes open fondly, green eyes radiating pure love and content, despite the pain he knows Dream is in.
"I've missed you so much, Techie," the smaller grits out, voice hoarse and raspy, yet Techno has never been happier to hear that voice.
"I never stopped looking for you, my love. I missed you beyond belief," and the pinkette relishes in the inhale Dream takes, his nose buried in the cloak, inhaling the familiar scent. Techno smiles down at him, cheeks hurting from the most movement in his face for the last year. Tears well in his eyes as Dream mimics the smile before turning in his grip, closing dull green eyes and shoving his face in Techno's chest, and Techno will forever deny the droplet that escaped down his face in the second.
The walkout of the vessel is a blur, a mix of sadness and pure joy, making Techno's emotions run haywire. He feels his heart racing like he'd just run 10 miles and back before having a chance to slow down. Back aboard the ship, Techno doesn't acknowledge any of his crew, simply calling Bad with a quiet and raspy voice, to meet him below deck in the medical bay. No one comments on the bundle in his arms, not until he's gone, leaving Phil alone above deck to deal with the waves of concern and confusion.
Phil simply sighs, before ordering the boatswain Ranboo to lift the anchor, with the help of Tommy and Tubbo, and Puffy and Niki to load the cannons and fire towards the military vessel, wanting it to sink beneath the royal blue waters and disappear forever.
Over the horizon, the first beams of sunrise show themselves, cutting through the darkness.
Below deck, Techno refuses to speak to anyone aside from Dream. He hasn't left the room the few hours since they got back, refusing to let go of the merman's hand. The only words he said to Bad, the doctor, were to "help him", to which the doctor complies straight away, thankfully without question. Bad didn't ask why Techno was so desperate to help this merperson, nor why they had a random waterbed in storage, and the captain was grateful. He didn't want anyone to know the story, not just now. He wants Dream to himself a little bit longer first.
Now, Techno sits in a chair beside his love, watching his chest rise and fall from beneath the water. Ever since his disappearance, Techno kept their bed, refusing to get rid of the one in his room would Dream return, and keeping a spare in the medbay for when Dream got hurt. The saltwater soaks into his scales, allowing his body to repair itself in the fresher water, this one not tainted with blood. It's allowing his body to replenish what it's lost. Once Dream is awake and slightly stronger, Techno will take him on a smaller boat to the ocean, allowing him to practice moving a bit more, and getting more natural essence from the sea. But when he wakes, the first step will be getting food in his body since the pinkette can't stand seeing every bone in the other man’s body.
Merpeople thrive off the nutrients in the ocean, and while they can survive on land for a bit, a few hours at most, they need to keep their scales fresh and moist, hence why Dream preferred to be in his human form on the boat. The salt from the water washes and maintains the health in their scales, and Techno knows the damage is terrible by the chipped scales across Dream's cheekbones, as well as the cracked and dried shapes on his tail. He prays that it's fixable and wouldn't forgive himself if Dream couldn't swim again. It's clear to the pinkette that all the salt from the other water was soaked into the merman's tail a long time ago, leaving nothing but the salt from his own blood to help any injuries heal.
Techno's hand is submerged in the bed, sleeve soaked, but he remains unbothered by this, simply relishing in the long-awaited contact between his love. Dream's hand is limp as it floats gently in the water, warm, providing evidence that he's alive, he's going to be okay. His wrists and tail are wrapped in waterproof bandages, not too tight as to allow room to heal naturally, and Techno is thankful he can't see the damage to the locations where the chains resided. The pinkette runs his other hand over the faded green freckles across Dream's cheeks, remembering how much he loved looking at the abnormal colour that completed the absolute beauty of his face. Techno doesn't want to acknowledge the scales that peel off and sink in the bed, healing process beginning by removing the unnecessary damage.
He can't wait to watch and help Dream heal.
Footsteps vibrate through the deck, indicating the presence of someone on the stairs. The noise causes Techno to look towards the stairs, seeing a shadow leading its owner down into the room, the early morning sun casting light and hope over the ship. He knows just by the sound of the boots that it's Phil, and frankly, he's thankful, for he doesn't want anyone knowing how he failed Dream just yet. He wants a bit longer with Dream before they decide he can't take care of the merman.
"Hey mate, how're you holding up?" a kind and quiet voice meets pierced ears.
"Feelin' amazing, Phil," his monotone voice replies, dripping with sarcasm.
Phil sighs, walking over to the pair. "He's back, Techno. You brought him home."
"I didn't, Phil!" Techno snaps, releasing his grip from Dreams hand and smacking it against the armrest of his chair. He slumps backwards, instantly regretting the loss of contact. "We were about to sink that ship, and we never would've known. I almost killed him, I should've looked harder, I could've-"
"Techno mate," Phil cuts him off, tone causing Techno to stop. "I mean this with so much love and affection. Shut the fuck up. None of this is your fault. He's home. All he wants is to be with you now. He doesn't want your pity, doesn't want your self-deprecating blame. He doesn't blame you, Techno." The pinkette lets out a shaky breath.
"I don't", another voice chimes in, and both sets of eyes dart down to meet green, head barely poking out of the water. It was just enough to speak while keeping his head almost entirely submerged. A hand appears above the water, reaching out longingly. Techno fumbles, reaching his hand out to clasp with Dream's awaiting one, the blonde giving it a gentle and weak squeeze. The blonde's eyes are kind despite the horror of his captivity. Techno is silent, aside from the occasional sniffle, trying his best to hold in his emotions. He shouldn't be the weak one right now. He's not the one who's been captured and kept as an ornament and experiment for the past year.
"I missed you so fucking much. You don't- can't even understand. There was never a day I didn't believe you were looking for me. I knew you were my love. I could sense you." Dream responds and gently grabs Technos wrist, flipping it over to show a small pearl symbol, representing their love before Dream got the real one. It's similar to a tattoo but was instead created during a sensual night of passion when Dream's fangs dug into the skin on the pinkette's wrist. Over time, it's become the most significant comfort for the pinkette, a constant reminder that their love is real. He had no idea what it meant for Dream, and the blonde never told him, claiming it was 'too soon to say.'
"When I did this to you, it gave a bit of my soul to you, connecting us. You can't feel it since we weren't completely bonded yet, but I could. The pearl was the final courting step that would bond us completely, to become complete seaspouses. Your emotions were mine this entire time away from each other. I knew you missed me. What happened is not your fault. I never once believed it was, not for a second."
And with those words, the dam broke, leaving the pinkette to lean forward and let tears fall into his beloved's waterbed. Techno was told why Dream went originally by Phil but wasn't aware of the significance of the action. Dream, his boyfriend, his everything, had been captured looking for something to mate them for life since merpeople only have one life partner. That was a detail he'd never forget from this moment forward, that he was the only one Dream would ever love and cherish in this way.
Water sloshes as Dream struggles to sit up yet still manages with a bit of assistance from Phil. You could tell he was trying to mask his pain, only wanting to comfort his broken lover, and despite Phil's instincts to tell him to rest, he didn't have the heart. Once sitting on his tailbone, Dream wraps his arms around the pinkette's neck, embracing the sobbing man, whispering soft comforts in both English and Mermish. Techno is soaked in water instantly, but the pinkette doesn't seem bothered.
Phil decides to take his leave, letting the two rekindle their relationship, and starts walking back out the stairs with a soft smile.
Though, before he takes the first stair, he turns back to the couple at the sound of his name. He meets beautiful green eyes, already looking brighter than they were, happier, and the blonde smiles at him. Phil smiles back, nodding, and turns to walk off again when he hears a high pitched keen come from the merman. It wasn't as beautiful sounding as it would be underwater, and some of the tones are off from the lack of liquid in his gills, but Phil understands all the same.
"Thank you, Phil,"