Forget Me Not [Technoblade x Reader]

~Chapter 9: Subtle Changes~

           "How much do I need to annoy you to have you buy me one of those small cakes? That baker seemed nice."

           "Annoying me will get you nowhere but in a hole... "

           It was a calm yet bustling midday in one of the villages in the frozen tundra. It had been almost two days since Philza had left the two younger adults alone to handle themselves while he made sure his reputation in L'manburg was still there. Techno insisted on getting some fresh produce from the larger village to the south of the home, knowing it had a larger market and much more open space than the one located East which was shrouded by a dense spruce forest. While Y/n was starting to get better at walking and could now finally bend her knees a bit, she still in no shape to walk through the snow. Yet she refused to stay home alone bored off her mind, and instead begged until she got her way.

           Here they were now, Techno holding the reins of his steed while Y/n sat on the back of the horse so she didn't need to walk. It was an idea she had offered her, claiming that the horse deserved to get out and have a nice walk as well, to which Techno couldn't really disagree or deny.

           Children ran around and played, women gossiped in the streets near their home, men worked hard and merchants bustled around trying their best to sell their goods. The pair had just come from the baker who knew Techno and Philza well and he was surprised to see a young woman instead of the usual pair of friends. Y/n greeted the man as Techno was just doing his best to get what he needed and then would be on his way. Nevertheless, Y/n had caught sight of the array of sweets made by the baker and she wanted nothing more than one. She had been living off of meats, soup, and bread with Techno and Philza for the past week almost, and while it did have all she really needed to get better, she couldn't help but want one of the small palm-sized cakes with whipped cream and a strawberry on top.

           "But they looked good! Tell me you didn't want one either, they looked soft and luscious. It makes me wonder if I've ever even had something like that." Y/n huffed as her cloak shifted as the chestnut shaded stallion trotted at the same pace his owner walked. He was well behaved and it made Techno seem like much more of a fascinating man that he had the ability to train a horse this well... It made Y/n wonder what his life's story may even sound like.

           "You don't need a strawberry shortcake." Techno stood his ground. He glanced back at the girl from time to time and would peer at her from under the hood he had pulled over his head. He made sure to hide his ears and the only thing that made him seem less human was his hair and eye color. No one seemed to mind, but it was also a wonder to see if the people would treat him any differently if he didn't hide his strange features.... Or would they just continue about their way and not bother him?

           "A strawberry shortcake..." Y/n repeated to herself to remember or recall the name of the desert when a moment passed and nothing came to her she then added, "I want to eat a bunch of them!"

           "Eat too much many of them, and you'll become a shortcake." Techno shook his head causing his braid to shift a bit.

           "And what is that supposed to mean? Hm?"

           "It means what it means, now, please. I would like to just finish up here without gaining a headache. Our last stop is the butcher and then we can make our way back home." He continued to walk and Y/n gave up on arguing with him. Maybe at another time, she could come back here with Philza. Surely he would be much kinder and a bit more lenient on letting Y/n try a new treat. At least... New now.

           Her eyes observed the small village and its inhabitants with curiosity shining wildly. Did she live in a village like this? What if she did? Did anyone from her home miss her? Did anyone even plan on finding her? These were questions she never stopped to ask. She never thought about them until the matter of her own mind over what her life could have been, begun to resonate within the young woman's chest.