Archive of Our Own ^beta

He’s been laying in bed for days. His hair was tangled and greasy, he was pretty sure he could smell the sickly sweet scent that clung to what were once curls.  

It wasn’t like he didn’t want to fix them, he was just so… tired. He’s been tired ever since his brothers went missing. The fae took Wilbur first and then like the bastards they were, they undoubtedly took Tommy too.

Now he just… laid in bed. There wasn't any point in maintaining the pitiful fields they had, cooking was a wasted effort when it was only for one and he didn’t even want to think about having to clean the shack.

It was all just too exhausting. If he wanted to clean his hair then he’d have to fetch some water and warm it up before he could even use it. He didn't want to trek down to the river, not when he felt so gross and when the winds still nipped at his face.

Cooking posed a similar problem. Everything was rotten, he’d have to go out to the market or the fields to get something and, again, he didn’t want to be seen when he looked so disgusting.

Even if he did get the ingredients he’d still have to chop them and cook them and wait for the meal to finally finish. Then it was dishes and cleaning everything up and he just… couldn't.

He couldn't bring himself to do it.

So he layed in bed and let hunger gnaw at his sides, sending waves of sickness through him that he never even knew were possible. 

It was easier to just… sleep the day away. He couldn't grieve when he was sleeping nor could he be hungry or stew in how horrible he felt.

But now he faced a new problem. He couldn't sleep. Not when the shack was so cold and he was so alone. He couldn't just curl up with Wilbur anymore or hold Tommy close so he could stay warm. All he had was a ratty blanket and a too thin pillow wedged under his head.

The ‘house’ was dark but from the light leaking through the walls he could see that it was barely sunset.

It was only going to get colder as the sun sinks further and further down the horizon. He’s felt cold ever since his brothers were taken away. As if any warmth inside him was scooped out and tossed away.

He was tired of being cold.

He was tired of being tired.

He just wanted to be warm again. To have his brothers back by his side where they belonged.

But he couldn't have that anymore. Some fae or forest creature took them away from him and he’d never see them again. Not until he died or was taken away himself.

Would it be easier to just go willingly? To trek into the woods and let nature take him?

Would Tommy and Wilbur still be proud of him if he did?

The ground was cold under his feet as he stood up, the bare dirt sapping away what little echo of warmth that was left in him. He stumbled a little as he began making his way to the door, hand flinching when it made contact with the cold metal.

He didn’t need his brothers to be proud of him.

They could hate him, for all he cares.

He just needs them back.

The wind was harsh against his face, biting his cheeks red as his bare feet stepped into thick snow. Part of him wanted to run back into the shitty thing he called a house and try to warm up. The rest of him was too exhausted to act like it cared.

His walk to the forest was uneventful. It was snowing and the wind didn’t stop but the crunch of snow under him was still all that filled the air. The trees were bare yet casted massive shadows over him as he went deeper into fae territory.

Rocks pressed sharply under his feet and roots tried to trip him at every turn but he didn’t let it stop him. Not even when his feet were completely numb and became unwieldy. He just pressed deeper and deeper until he found what he was looking for.

There was a clearing, one that the village they belonged to knew of, and it was claimed by a particularly cruel fae.

Him and his brothers were always careful to avoid that part of the woods but it seems they were too naive. Why would a fae only stick to a certain part of the forest? They believed it was all theirs anyway.

It was a wonder they got by for so long without being snatched by the cruel creature.

The trees almost seemed to lean down towards him as he continued on, finally finding the clearing he promised his brothers to never enter. It's not like a promise mattered anyway. Both his brothers seemed to break it just fine.

He walked up to the circle, ignoring the way that frosted grass crunched under his bare feet and bit at his skin. The air around him felt frozen, his breaths coming out in thick clouds on each puff. 

Mushrooms that shouldn't have been able to sprout sat in an innocent looking circle, not even bothering to look like they fit in with the area. Despite his knowledge on foraging, it proved useless as he stared down at the caps, their appearance completely alien to him.

All he knew was that they looked awful and smelled even worse, the stench of rot reeking from them in waves. Their stem was thick, topped by an ugly thin cap that clung to the shape of it, a few had rings in the shape of a veil and others were dripping with a disgusting black sludge.

The whole clearing smelled of death. It was fitting for the fae he knew resided in it.

“Come out” he called “I know you’re watching and waiting.”

His words were weak despite thinking about them for a while. This whole trip was stupid, a suicide mission that’d only serve as an ill fated attempt to save his brothers. At least if he died and wasn't whisked away he’d join them wherever he went.

Anything would be better than the aching loneliness he felt now.

Even death at the hands of a fae.

“Quite a rude greeting, don’t you think?”

“Does it matter? We both know I won’t leave this clearing alive.”

The man stood in the ring, tall and proud and perfect in the way fae always managed to be. The air around him seemed cold, twinkling with magic despite it being diluted on this end of the veil. His smile was sharp and his eyes sharper, cutting into Techno’s weak will with each passing second.

“Now don’t be drastic” he hummed, high and melodic like a bell “you don’t need to die.”

“You’d let me leave alive?”

“Of course not.”

“Good. If I wanted that then I wouldn't have come here.”

The faes eyes narrowed, as if assessing him before letting out a low hum. His head tilted to the side before he gestured to the side, as if beckoning him closer.

Wordlessly, he walked closer towards him, ignoring the sharp smile that took over the fae's face at his obedience. He was odd to look at, in all honesty. He’d never been so close to a fae before, never got the chance to see how their magic twinkled in the air.

He was never supposed to.

Yet here he was, taking in the deeply green robes the fae wore and watching how everything within his cursed circle seemed to shimmer with a power he couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

“You’re very brave” the fae said “few would dare speak to a fae like that.”

“I guess I have to be special if you saw fit to steal both my brothers away.”

“Stealing is such a strange word” the man in green laughed “I can't steal something that's already mine, silly boy.”

“Yours? You have no claim on us” he felt his fist clench, at his side “we were always careful of fae!”

“Anything that enters these woods is mine for the taking. You boys trespassed enough to wrack up quite the debt. The cost I saw fit was to make you mine, it's the least you could do, really..”

“We had no other choice but to enter your woods, though! You never told us it was an insult!”

“That's hardly my problem, mate” the fae sniffed, peering down at his talons as he spoke “are you only here to shout? It’s rather impolite to raise your voice, I hope you know.”

“Of course not!”

Snow was falling thicker now. He knew it had to be because of the fae. It snowed thicker every time one of his brothers went missing. He’d just have to keep talking and he would be able to join them.

The fae's dismissive words took any and all the wind out his sails, the previous anger and frustration that bubbled up ebbing into nothing as grief took a hold of his heart again. 

“Then what are you here for, mate? Not many make this trip willingly.”

“I think you know why. I’m here to join my brothers.”

“No fight? Nothing? Just some shouting and that's it?” the fae looked back up at him “thats rather… pitiful of you.”

“I’m… tired. I miss my brothers. The house is so quiet without them” his voice wobbled as tears began streaming down his face, stinging from the cold “I just want them back. Please just give me them or take me to them. I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Whatever I want? Anything? ” The faes head cocked to the side “that's a dangerous offer to make, mate.”

“I need them more than anything” he choked down the emotion swelling in his chest “I don't care what it takes. I just want them back.”

A bird's coo rang through the air, something fawning and sad in it as the fae opened his arms wide before speaking. “Step into the circle” he hummed “you’ll stay with them forever. All I ask for in exchange is you in my arms.”

Ugly sobs ripped their way out of his throat, feet numb as he stumbled forwards and fell to his knees within the ring. Strong arms caught him and dragged him into a freezing cold chest; gathering him close and enveloping him in what felt like ice.

“You came much easier than your brothers did” he whispered into Technos hair, still greasy from neglect and dragged down by snow “you’re even letting me hold you, how sweet.”

“They’re with you?” his voice was hopeful despite the wobble “can I see them?”

“You can see them all you want when we’re done” the fae cooed “there’s just one more thing I really need from you.”

“What is it?” He didn’t have much. His brothers were all he really had “you said I just had to come here-”

“Oh it’s not much at all” the fae cut him off, tightening its grip on him “I just need you to freeze, darling.”

He couldn't stop the whimper that left him at the faes words. Was that how his brothers died? He’d seen frostbite before, it looked so painful but… well- if he wasn’t much longer for this world then he supposed frostbite would be the last of his problems.

“Oh don’t be a baby, snowdrop” the fae cooed, claws beginning to play with his hair “there’s nothing wrong with a little cold.  You’ll be mine before you know it.”

“Doesn't it hurt? Freezing, I mean?”

“How am I to know? You humans are just so delicate sometimes it’s impossible to tell” the fae chuckled “you’ll be so much better after the frost takes you, though- you are already rather adorable already, all shaking and blue.”

That wasn't right, was it? His fingers wouldn’t already be blue, he’s barely been out for long anyway. He frowned as he raised his hand to his face, confusion shifting into astonishment to see already at a deep shade of purple.

Absent-mindedly, he tried to move a finger, frowning when it didn’t even twitch in response.

“It's much colder in this circle than you think, snowdrop” the fae spoke amusedly “I’m being nice and shielding you from some of it since I have so be so gentle with all of you.”

“Thank you” he muttered, ignoring the way it buzzed through the air and made the fae grin.

“You’re quite lucky, mate” the fae cooed “it's only recently that I’ve realised that you boys require something… softer. I need to be nicer with you, more considerate. Otherwise I’ll  frighten you.”

The arms around him tightened, keeping him from even trying to move. It felt suffocating in a way that he missed, something about it so similar to how his brothers would hold him and how he’d return it. It felt like he was wanted, safe but it was so cold.

He shivered in the man's arms, body shaking from the air that felt frozen around him. 

“I know, it's so cold for your fragile little body” frosty lips pressed against his head “let it set in and take you. Give in so I can take you home.”

“H-how much longer?” he asked through chattering teeth “wanna see my brothers…”

“Not much longer at all… human skin is so weak, paper thin to the cold. I doubt you have any more than an hour.”

It was a strange comfort to know it’d all end soon. He’d be with his brothers any moment now, right where he belonged.

“You should tell me your name” the fae hummed “since you’re so thankful for all my help.”

“Won't you take it anyway?”

“Of course I will, darling” the fae laughed again, loud and clear like the chiming of a bell “but it's all the sweeter if it's given to me of your own will.”

What did he have to lose, really? Would it really be so wrong to just… completely give in? To let himself be held? He was still so tired and fighting just seemed so hard.

“Technoblade” he muttered “my name is Technoblade.”

“Oh Technoblade you truly are the sweetest of your brothers, aren't you?” the fae’s arms hold went impossibly tighter around him, crushing him further into its chest “such a pathetic little thing… oh I can’t wait to build you back up again.”

The fae’s words were confusing but it was getting hard to think from all the hold. He just leaned further into the embrace, letting himself melt into a little puddle in the fae’s arms so he could finally bask in some contact after so long.

He should be angry. This was the fae that took the only two people in the world that he loved the most and he was just letting it hug him. But he was tired. He missed his brothers, he missed the easy affection and he missed the contact they always gave him.

He was untethered without them. A boat floating out into the sea at the mercy of the waves. 

But the fae’s arms were like an anchor, keeping him still as he waited to join his brothers. Whatever fate awaited him didn't matter. If he could keep being held and be with his brothers then that was all he wanted.

He could be angry again later. Right now he was just… numb. Both physically and emotionally.

The embrace began feeling warmer and warmer the longer he let himself be held. It felt impossibly nice against the numbness of the rest of him. His fingers didn’t respond anymore and he couldn't feel his nose but none of it mattered when he nestled deeper into the hold.

“Shhh not much longer now, snowdrop” the fae rumbled “let the cold consume you so you can be born anew.”

He whimpered when the air around him seemed to intensify, as if sensing he was on his very last legs. Like a pack of hungry wolves the snowflakes bit and stung with each droplet. He pressed himself deeper into the hold, raising weak hands so he could clutch at the back of the faes robe.

In response, the fae began humming a low tune, filling the clearing with his song. It made him lightheaded, almost, filling his head with a fuzz he couldn't even begin to decipher as he fell limp in the faes arms.

There was an odd static behind it, like the scraping of bone had wormed its way into the melody. It made it harder to think as it grew louder and louder before coming to an abrupt stop.

He shivered in the faes arms, pressing himself as deep as he could into the man's hold as if it could do anything to protect him from the awful sound. The snow around them was falling so much harder now, as if called by the melody.

“I forget that you’re not ready for such magic yet, at least it did its job and sped things along a little” the chest he’s pressed into shaked with a laugh “not much longer now, snowdrop. You’re finally almost mine.”

“A-an’ then my brothers?” The words felt so jumbled in his mouth now “I wan- I wanna see them…”

“You’ll see them, mate” the faes voice was indulgent, as if granting a toy to a child “though they’ve had a few improvements since you last saw them…”

“Don’ care. I miss them” his eyes felt so heavy now, exhaustion finally creeping up on him. He isnt cold anymore, if anything he was getting too warm, now. It felt easy to let them droop closed for longer and longer.

“Oh I’m sure you did” the fae cooed “they missed you too, y’know? Though Wilbur gets quite upset whenever Tommy asks about you.”

Their names buzzed in the air, right alongside his own when he spoke it. If he were any less exhausted he’d probably wonder about it. Worry, even. But this was easier, letting himself forget about fae rules and speak freely with the other.

“Wil doesn’t wanna mention me?” That stung. It hurt the raw part of his brain that was still able to think, though it was slowly growing weaker by the second.

“He thinks he’s protecting you, I’m sure” the fae hummed, trailing a claw down the back of his neck “as if you need any protection from me. What a silly boy.”

All he could do was hum in agreement. Wilbur could be silly, sometimes. Especially when he thought he was keeping him and Tommy safe. He was such a good older brother. He would've known exactly what to do if Techno got taken instead of him.

They lapsed into silence as time became like sand, slipping through his fingers the more he tried to focus on it. Everything was so blurry now. His fingers felt like they were going to burn off, still clenched tightly into the back of the faes robe.

He was probably creasing it but the fae didn’t seem to care. He just combed his claws through his hair and pressed freezing kisses to his hairline. Every time he did that, the world around them seemed to get just a bit colder, forcing him closer and closer to his death with each passing second.

“It's quite silly that you came to me so easily in the end” the fae muttered, finally breaking the silence. All he could do was hum in question, the frost seemingly having frozen his jaw shut in its attempt to claim him. “I had an entire plan to bring you to my side. If you waited another few days I would’ve brought your brothers out, too. I’m sure it would've been a lovely family reunion.”

He would have seen his brothers? That sounds nice. Though, he’s happier that he ended up in the woods today anyway. He got hugs and he’d be able to see them again as soon as the cold finally claimed him.

“But you fell right into my arms, didnt you?” the fae laughed “you saw the inevitable and met it head on. What a brave little thing you are.”

Warmth bloomed in his chest as an odd pride filled him. He always liked to be called brave, to have the better things about himself pointed out. It made him feel cool. Special, even. He felt himself smile into the fae’s shoulder.

Another kiss was pressed to his head, this one feeling final as the warmth it gave sank into his very bones.

It felt like frost itself was blooming across his skin, warming the skin below despite how cold the air around him truly was. It was like a knife finally finding its target, a blanket being wrapped around his very soul.

An end to that hollow, emptiness that buried itself between his ribs when his brothers were taken away

“There we go, that's it” the fae cooed, laughing as he sighed and finally rested all his weight on the other “just close your eyes and sleep, Technoblade. You’ll be perfect when you awaken.”

What an odd concept. To be perfect. It's not like it mattered anyway, he’d be whatever the fae wanted so long as he could be this warm and have his brothers by his side.

All he felt was the air around him shimmer one final time before he slipped into the frosts cold embrace.

“Perfect” the fae’s voice was completely lost on him now, serving only as a rumble from the chest under him “you’re all finally mine.”

One last kiss and he fell completely into unconsciousness.

“Right where you belong.”