At Least We Have Each Other (SBI AU)

Chapter 6- It Never Lasts

Techno POV

Techno rushed to work, still unable to wipe the wide grin from his face. It had just been perfect. He just wished it could have lasted just a little bit longer. 

Entering the store, he headed towards the back, where only the employees were allowed. Techno walked towards his locker, brushing beside a blonde.

"How on earth did you manage to soak your uniform already? You haven't even started!" the blonde smirked, poking fun at the teen.

"Oh shut up Dream." Techno rolled his eyes. "It's not like your uniform is in perfect condition."

Dream laughed, "Just hurry up." He headed towards the front of the store, probably to run the registers.

Techno changed out of his wet uniform, slipping on the clean one. He still didn't regret it, not one bit. In fact, he would do it all again in a heartbeat. Once he was ready, he got to work, adding to the shelves and reorganizing items.

It was a simple job, but one that he was good at. He worked efficiently, restocking several shelves before his break. Checking his watch, he realized it was already lunch time. Finishing his job, he headed towards the backroom, picking up a few items along the way.

There was a small room in the back, that was specifically for lunch. Techno was not the only one who often didn't have a lunch. It was actually quite common among the workers. But Joe always made sure they were fed, allowing them to take a few things off the shelves for themselves. It wasn't cheap, but he didn't mind.

Techno heated up the macaroni and cheese he had grabbed, using the microwave. As he waited there, he noticed Dream enter the room. He looked very annoyed.

"What's wrong Dream?" Techno questioned, already figuring out the answer.

"That crazy lady is back." the blonde groaned, sitting on the couch. 

The microwave beeped, urging Techno to take the meal out. "I thought your uncle banned her."

"So did I." Dream nodded. "Apparently she thought it was only for a day."

"I'm not surprised. She doesn't seemed to be the brightest." Techno scoffed. He began to eat his lunch, still listening to Dream complain.

"I just don't understand how customers can be so rude. Don't they get that we're trying our best?" the blonde stated the obvious. "I feel like no matter what we do, we can't ever seem to please people like her."

"All we can do is try our best." he offered another microwavable meal. "I grabbed you the stuff you like."

Dream shook his head. "I already ate." he sat beside Techno, clearly not wanting to go back to work just yet.

"So you just decided to be on break?" Techno smirked, knowing that was exactly what he did. With Joe being his uncle, he could get away with stuff.

"I wanted to hangout with you. I haven't seen you in a while." the blonde responded. "You've been taking the earlier shifts lately."

"I just needed somewhere to go." he admitted, eating another forkful of food.

Dream hummed. He knew Techno's situation, but he had never been told everything. "I still think you should get out of that house."

"I've been trying to save up for it. But with Tommy and Wil... there's just never enough money."

"Have you thought anymore about what I suggested?"

Techno stiffened. "I can't Dream, you know I can't."

"But-"

"They'll get taken away from me. I'll probably never see them again... and after everything that's happened... I can't leave them again Dream. I just can't." Techno shuttered at the thought. He couldn't even imagine life without his brothers. It was hard to believe that he ever could.

Dream nodded in understanding, sighing, "I just hate knowing that you have to live with that man. And the fact that you can't leave..." his voice trailed off.

"It's not your problem to fix Dream." Techno offered a smile. "I can handle it."

Glancing at his friend, he offered, "If you ever need anything-"

"I've got it Dream." 

Dream let the subject go, which Techno was grateful for. Finishing his lunch, the two of them got back to work, ready to go home in a few hours. The time passed quickly and before long Techno was putting his extra uniform back.

Headed out, Dream waved to him, calling, "Be safe Tech!"

"See you later Dream!" he shouted back, turning his attention to walking home. He couldn't help but feel excited by the idea of another night with his brothers. It would be their final safe night before their father returned.

He smiled to himself, counting the cracks in the sidewalk as he went. He finally felt like his brothers were starting to trust him again. And he was determined to never break that trust again. He wanted to be there for them, he wanted to protect them.

Spotting his house in the distance, his heart dropped. Why were there police cars in the driveway? He took off in a room, his thoughts running a million miles a minute. Something had happened and he could only guess the cause of it all.

He was back.

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Hope you liked it!

Thank you for 432 reads!! 

Hope you have a wonderful day!

-Snowy