Thus Always to Tyrants

There's a wind alive in the valley (it will fill your lungs, if you'll have it)

Techno stares at the papers in his hands, then back at the field. He couldn't see his brother's bright golden hair anywhere, nor his laughter.

Did Tommy lie to him? Or did he not have a game today?

After, he goes to Dream- the lacrosse coach.

"Yes?" The older man looks up from where he's shuffling papers, leans forwards to stare at Techno, a slight grin on his face.

"...do you know if Tommy has a game today?"

Dream seems confused, and then he smiles, calm.

"Tommy isn't coming to today's game, said he wasn't feeling well, mentally. I'm worried for him, are you and your family helping him?" Dream spoke in a way that had Techno's gut twisting in guilt.

Dream sighed, as if Techno was the last thing he wanted to deal with.

"Listen, next time Tommy is in a game I'll let you know. For now, I need to get back to my team, okay?" He turned away from Techno. And Techno stares at the schedule paper, trying to decipher whatever it is his thoughts are screaming at him.

Why did Tommy go to Dream instead of him? Was he really that much better than his own family?

Techno leaves the game with more questions than answers, and more worry.

Tommy is just trying to get to class. Why the fuck is Dream, his ex-lacrosse coach here?

Dream had stopped him in the halls,

"Tommy?"

"...yes?"

"Did you know Techno was at a lacrosse game? He was looking for you."

Tommy feels a sharp sort of surprise lance through him, and he takes an involuntary step back. "W- what?"

Techno cared enough to come? No, of course he didn't. He probably just came to make sure Tommy was out of trouble. Or to prove a point. Just out of spite he came. Oh god. What if Dream had said Tommy wasn't on the team anymore?

His ex-coach must have noticed something like fear flickering in his face, because he smiles. But it's...odd, like Dream is looking into his head, and prying out his secrets, like Dream knows what his worst qualities are. It's a pressure too, like right before a lighting strike, or the thrumming of a rabbit's heart when it's stuck in a wire trap. "Don't worry. I told him you weren't doing that well mentally."

That...that was true. Sort of.

"...so...you're covering for me?"

A shrug. "Yes and no."

"What does that mean?"

"I'll cover for you. If you join the team again and play a couple games. I don't care if anyone watches. You're good and I want you on the team."