Cold outside, warm in
pairings: c!Technoblade x reader, c!philza mentioned
premise: technoblade gets cozy purring during retirement
rated pg, it's just fluff yall
a/n: i haven't had much experience writing in general, so any criticism/tips would be pretty helpful! ive been super distracted with genshin so i might write for neuvillette next but idk
☆ミ
Technoblade doesn't purr. That's what he had thought his whole life. As the god of blood, he had singlehandedly wiped out entire armies, overthrown countless authoritative governments, and slain powerful deities and gods, he did not purr. Though his lineage allowed him the ability, and retirement could afford him the comfort, Technoblade couldn't see himself capable of producing the deep rumbling sound.
Maybe his throat had been the focus of too many attacks from enemies, maybe his piglin DNA had skipped the physiological part, maybe after everything he had been through, he wouldn't ever be comfortable enough anyways. That is what he told himself and everyone who asked. Including you.
But, on nights like this, you rest peacefully in his embrace as the fire crackles beside you and the words blur on the pages of his antique book, his tea cooling behind him on the table beside the couch, he feels your heartbeat and hears your pulse. Hundreds of years of pain and ache are slowly absolved until all that is left is overwhelming security and safety.
Technoblade almost misses it in the misty embrace of sleep. A dull vibration deep in his chest. It's broken, like an engine that hasn't been ignited in years. Surprise and subtle fear of the unfamiliar takes over and the rumble stops after only a few seconds. It was long enough to leave him alert and on guard. Technoblade doesn't purr- he thought to himself. He, the blood god, had never been able to do that before. Luckily, you were still asleep and weren't woken up by the sound that night.
He needed time to process this new sensation, he didn't get it though. About a week later, the feeling of your fingers working through his hair ignited that fire again. Your hands carefully separated his hair into thirds and weaved them together as per your morning routine. You had done his hair every day since moving in together to his retirement cabin. Nothing had changed, but it didn't stop the growing vibration in his ribcage, the warmth on his cheeks, and the shake in his hands.
You noticed, of course, and asked if he was okay, but your voice only made him melt further into the cushion. Before he could reply, his purr picked up tenfold. The sound filled the room as embarrassment and resignation filled his mind. He shakily explained the last time this happened, and how he didn't know why or when it would happen again. You reassured him that it had to be natural, and that it was nothing to be ashamed of, and he took that to heart and decided to himself that the next time he would purr, he would embrace it.
About a month later, the snow had picked up. Raging winds and subzero temperatures ravaged the landscape. Philza's windows couldn't handle the pressure and froze over. They cracked and shattered when he tried to warm the rooms up and now he had to stay in Techno's spare room. The room you usually slept in. Normally, you could take the couch downstairs, but why waste firewood when you could just share a bed with the living furnace that is your boyfriend. Techno's excuse for making you sleep separately was that he was huge and if he rolled over in his sleep, you would be flattened, or worse - enjoy it. He would take that risk tonight though, the cold is harsh and unforgiving, he felt far better knowing that you were safe and sound asleep next to him instead of downstairs where you would surely freeze.
Your nightly routine was normal - if not domestic, clean dishes from dinner, wash up, brush teeth and hair, and get comfy in pajamas. You slipped into bed beside him, the sheets were smooth and silky, the pillows were large and soft, and he was warm and comfortable. The bed was wide and smelled like him - like pine wood and something vaguely smokey from the nether or explosives, perhaps both.
It's almost awkward the way he tries to get comfortable around you, unsure whether to cuddle close or keep distance. You took pity on him and wrapped an arm around his torso. You eventually ended up in a position halfway on top of him, your head leaning on his shoulder and arm that wraps around your waist. Your leg slots between his and your bodies melt together under a thick duvet.
The lantern was out by now, the only light came from the enchanted tools and equipment on the wall. After a while, you picked up on soft snores and deep breathing beside you. The wind outside created a white noise perfect to fall asleep to, but not before you heard an unfamiliar sound take over the room. Technoblade had started purring in his sleep, loudly. The vibration alone rattled the bed frame.
You briefly had half a mind to wake him, he cherished soft intimate moments like this between the ache of blood and war, almost as much as you cherished fleeting rest and sleep. Techno needed sleep too, though. Retirement wouldn't last forever - savoring things now when they were stable and certain gave way to a sense of hopefulness, as if the world could stay like this forever and you didn't need to think of sharpening your sword for tomorrow's enemies. Techno needed all the strength he could get and more importantly, all the rest he could get.
The purring had eventually made you sleepy much like how a cat's purr could heal mental distress. The overwhelming sense of safety and comfort encapsulated your entire being and the night bore witness to your promise: Technoblade would never find himself without your stability, your comfort. Even when he came home soaked in blood, even when he cried and yelled out to a higher being to relieve him of his afflictions and curses, you would be there as his rock or shield to hold him close and keep him warm. You would always be there for him as he would always be there for you.
☆ミ
