APRICITY // technoblade x reader DISCONTINUED

12 - Brothers and Breakfast

You squeeze your eyes shut harder, groaning at the bright sunlight hitting your eyelids. You pull the blankets up over your head, expecting to snuggle deeper under the covers, but instead, you feel your feet poke out from the bottom of the blanket. Your still-socked feet swish against the top of the comforter, and you frown.

With one more small groan, you push your eyes open and sit up. Around you is an unfamiliar room, and you pull the blanket closer as you glance around. You're still fully clothed in your apprentice garb, with the exception of your leather boots abandoned on the floor at the foot of the bed. The decor is tasteful if a bit dark, and the curtains are pushed aside to let sunlight in. Your trunk is settled neatly at the foot of the bed as well.

You scrub at your eyes with the back of your hand before reluctantly pushing yourself out of bed to get dressed for the day. You'll have to wash your clothes soon, but more importantly, you need to wash yourself. With that thought in mind, you grab a fresh set of robes and slip out of the door, closing it quietly behind you. The hallway you're in is just as unfamiliar, but you manage to find a bathroom with a shower quickly enough. The hot water feels cleansing and fresh as it scalds your skin, and when you step out of the bathroom, your body practically exudes refreshment.

You sweep wet hair off of your forehead and drop your dirty clothes in your room, making a note to wash them soon before ducking out of the door again.

The hallway that your room is in is wide, with evenly spaced doors and windows lining it. A red carpet spills along the floor, sweeping from a final door to your left in the direction of what you presume is the stairway. As you shut your room door behind you, carefully noting which one it is, you hear another door open. You glance up to watch the door at the end of the hallway swing open, Techno stepping out with a swish of his signature red cape.

"Good morning," he greets, striding down the center of the hallway to reach you. His mask is nowhere to be found, making you smile. He looks better without it.

"Good morning. I apologize for falling asleep in the library last night. You could have woken me, you know."

He shrugs. "You looked peaceful, and you were easy enough to pick up. I didn't want to disturb you, you've had a long couple of days and you need all the rest that you can get. Plus, there wasn't a whole lot of research left that we could do here at home."

"Either way, thank you," you say. "You didn't have to."

"Eh, I didn't, but I wanted to," he says, sending you a small smile. "So I did." With that, he tilts his head towards the end of the hallway. "Breakfast, my lady?"

You roll your eyes. "So formal. I don't even have an official title. Just 'apprentice,' I suppose."

"Well, you deserve one." He says confidently. Your cheeks redden, but you don't say any more than a quiet thanks as you follow him down to breakfast.

Breakfast is in the same room as dinner the evening before, though you've arrived a bit more punctually. You see the tip of Phil's wing disappear into the kitchen as he shoulders past a lanky brunette man coming out of the doorway. You lock eyes with the fluffy-haired brunette, and his eyebrows rise a bit.

"You're new here." His voice is clear and musical, higher than Techno's, but it's smooth and calming nonetheless. He sets down the plate of food that he's carrying and leans against the table. "I'm Wilbur, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, Wilbur. I'm Y/n." His hand is warm and his grip is solid when you shake it, matching his smile.

"Hey, Wilbur. Welcome back."

"Techno! Did you miss me?"

Techno rolls his eyes. "No, absolutely not. You're annoying and I hate you," he grumbles, but leans into Wilbur's hug as Wilbur flops on him.

"No, you don't," Wilbur sing-songs, squishing his face into Techno's.

"No, I don't," Techno sighs. He ruffles Wilbur's already fluffy bangs, pushing his face away. "Now get off of me."

"Fine," Wilbur says, removing his weight from Techno's side. "Now come help us move breakfast to the table."

The two of you trail Wilbur back into the kitchen, greeting Philza and Kristin as you do so. There are only a few more plates, and it's quick work with five sets of hands to set the table the rest of the way. As you're settling into your seats, Tommy, Tubbo, and Ranboo file in, bantering loudly enough that their arrival is no surprise. The atmosphere is warm and familial, nothing like the classroom feel of mealtimes back at the library, you think as you dig into your food, squished between Ranboo and Techno. The conversation flows easily, and the food is passed around generously.

Once the meal is over, plates cleared and everyone's appetites sated, Techno folds his hands behind his head and turns to Wilbur. "Hey, Wil, would you mind answering a couple of questions? One of the reasons that Y/n is here is...well, it's complicated, but we think that some bardic magic might be involved."

Wilbur leans forward, resting his head on his chin. "I'm intrigued. Go on."

Techno sighs. "Y/n, you were the only one there for the beginning. Do you want to start?"

You nod, and begin, the words coming out stilted and abrupt at first, but slowly spilling out faster and more smoothly. You and Techno toggle back and forth, finishing each other's sentences as the story all comes together.

"...and that's basically where we're at now," you finish lamely, shrugging your shoulders.

Wilbur runs a finger over his lip, clearly deep in thought. Tommy, Tubbo, and Ranboo are all staring at you silently, though Tommy looks the most surprised, and Ranboo the least so since he'd been there for part of this. Tubbo just looks worried, bumping his shoulders against his friends as if to check that they're still there.

You fiddle with your hands, nervously looking down until Wilbur finally speaks again. "Depending on the summoning circle, it could be a combination of bardic influences and sorcerer magic. Lapis can channel bardsong, so if the sorcerer knows what they're doing, it could probably work. But more importantly, that sounds insanely complicated. There's definitely something more sinister at play here."

Techno pushes back his chair. standing to pace in circles around the table. "Exactly. Maybe Dream would know more about this. I was planning to ask him today."

Wilbur nods. "Good Idea. He probably knows more about charm magic than your average sorcerer. Mind if I accompany you?"

"Sounds good. Y/n's coming too since she knows the most about the vault. Get ready, we'll meet in the foyer in no more than an hour."