icing those hurt

Part 14

Techno and George are having a rare quiet lunch together when Tommy comes stumbling through the cafeteria. Techno's eyes catch his straight backed, floating form, heading through towards the hall, where the common rooms and dorms are.

"Hey," he says quietly, catching George's attention. "Did Tommy come to breakfast this morning?"

George's eyes sharpen, casting around the room until he also sees the boy drifting by them. "No." He says disapprovingly. "He didn't."

Techno hums, then raises a hand. "Tommy," he waves. Tommy looks over, and he doesn't brighten or even relax, he just wordlessly shuffles over and slides in, next to Techno. "Hey, are you alright?"

The boy nods, but it's less of a nod and more of a slow slump, up and down. Techno wonders if he even heard the question. He wonders whether Tommy just says he's alright on instinct.

"You look tired, Tommy." George points out. "Are you?"

A head shake no.

"Are you lying?"

Another head shake no.

George looks at Technoblade, and his eyes say what's your call?

Clearly, the kid is exhausted. It's dripping off his every move. Even the rings of his blue eyes seem less vibrant, and the clean smell of ice follows him, so he clearly just got done with practice. Through the morning and well into the afternoon, it wouldn't surprise him if Tommy didn't eat at all today.

"Alright," he says, hoping he sounds unassuming. "Well, since you missed breakfast, here- I've got half a turkey sandwich here. You should try to get some of it down."

George pushes forward his unopened Gatorade and Techno smiles in thanks. "There's this Gatorade too- do you like Glacier Freeze, Tommy?"

The boy shrugs, but takes the drink from Techno all the same. They prod at him until he's eaten the whole half and drank most of the drink, and then, from there, they do their best to ignore the way he sways and can barely keep track of their conversation.

"-what I was saying was that he should try out a few practices, see how it feels. Maybe we'll have another teammate on the roster," George is saying, and Techno is listening, he is, but then there's a gentle, barely there weight against his side. George stops abruptly, then- "Techno."

Techno barely moves. "I see him, George. I see him."

Tommy, who'd been getting quieter and quieter, and swaying more and more, just slumped over, and is now laying with his head pillowed against Techno's side. Having even just that little bit of food must have been the last straw that tipped him over into sleeping.

"When do you think was the last time he slept well?" George asks.

"It couldn't have been recent," Techno says softly. Carefully, he shifts, leaning back and bringing Tommy with him, so Techno can bring his arm around the boy. Tommy follows, sound asleep. He even curls in, which makes Techno want to keep his arm around Tommy for forever. "Jesus. Look at him, George."

George takes a measured breath. "I see him, Techno. He's-" He doesn't finish. Cuts himself off before he can say anything, but Techno hears him.

Everything. He's everything.

They sit there, well after the cafeteria closes and George clears away their plates. Talking quietly, watching carefully, letting him rest as easily as he can. Of course it doesn't last- much too soon, he's twitching awake, rubbing his face and then turning bright red and yanking backwards when he realizes where he is.

"Oh god," he says, looking horrified. "Oh, God, I'm- I'm so sorry. I-"

"Sorry for what?" Techno asks. "You were tired. So you slept."

"I don't normally... do that." He admits, looking freaked out.

"What, sleep?" George frowns. "Tommy, you might have just needed a nap- it's not a big deal."

"Nap?" Tommy frowns. Barely, just barely, his nose wrinkles. "I don't- I'm fine. Really."

George isn't convinced. His eyebrow raises. " I take naps. I know when someone needs a nap. You should go take one."

"...can't." Tommy says softly. He presses a palm against his eye.

"Can't? You can't sleep or you aren't allowed?"

Tommy doesn't answer, and Technoblade, briefly, feels the urge to kill. Instead, he says:

"Well, how about this. If you're tired, you come and find one of us- any one of us- and we'll get you somewhere to rest. Somewhere where you won't be seen if you're looked for. That way you can have at the very least a half an hour of safe, uninterrupted rest. A nap."

"A nap?" Tommy questions, this time daring to sound a little hopeful. "You would do that for me?"

Techno and George exchange a look. He thinks, even at this point, that he'd do anything for him. George nods subtly, answering that unasked question, and Techno smiles, looking back down at the boy.

"Of course, Tommy." He says. "We'll give you little safety naps if you need them. Everyone needs rest every once in a while and no one should have to earn it."

(word count - 839)