With every passing day, your body and mind grew more and more worn out. Your schedule felt relentless, having to wake up early to train with Dream then going straight to mandatory meetings after cleaning up, then having "required" Tyche time. You barely had any time for yourself and it was starting to take a toll on you. Your mood worsened to the point that Dream started to notice.

Having Dream be with you almost all day every day, escorting you everywhere around the fortress, was starting to get under your skin. It was such a simple and small task but it made you feel like a prisoner and with all the built-up stress and emotions, it amplified that feeling. Dream stopped trying to make small talk with you after a few tries, taking note that you weren't responding and didn't even seem interested in what he was saying. It was childish to be so angry at something so minuscule, you knew that but you couldn't help the emotions that stirred inside you.

At the end of the week, you decided to try and channel your energy into reading, taking a little time out of your day to browse around the small library and read until your mind felt numb. After a few times, Dream began to leave you on your own in the library, giving you the chance to finally breathe and think without being watched. It was thrilling having the sense of freedom again... but it didn't last long.

"Isn't Dream supposed to be with you?"

You clutched the book between your hands tightly, trying to restrain yourself from snapping but ended up responding with, "What? Are you afraid I'll steal something?"

Your tone made the hybrid pause, furrowing his brows as he shot you a questioning look.

Instantly, you felt regret begging to pool in your stomach. The corners of your mouth twisted in distaste at yourself as you buried your face back into the book you were holding. Technoblade didn't reply to you, simply grabbing his own book and taking a seat on the couch across the small room.

Even as a few seconds passed, you couldn't focus on your book anymore. Your eyes kept drifting over the pages before locking onto the hybrid who sat comfortably across from you, his animal skull placed gently on the end table next to him.

Eventually, you pushed back your pride and tried to apologize. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you."

Technoblade's head rose from his book, locking eyes onto you. He shrugged, "It's okay."

You weren't sure whether to be relieved or disappointed by his short answer but you took it anyway. He's usually short and sweet with his responses anyway.

After a few more moments of struggling to concentrate on your book, you finally decided to get up and look for a new one, determining that you were just bored with the one you were reading. You gently placed the one you were reading back on the shelf before searching for a new one.

Your eyes carelessly scanned the shelves before stopping on a familiar spine. A small smile formed on your face as you tugged it out of the cramped space, eyes flickering over the cover.

"I recommend that one. It's one of my favorites."

"Really?" You mused, peeking at the hybrid who was staring at you. "It was one of my dad's too. Although, I'm sure he didn't want to use it."

Technoblade took note of your last comment but didn't verbally acknowledge it. He doubted you would say much else, you were pretty quiet about your family. Instead, he asked, "Have you read it?"

"No, I've never had the time. Plus, if my dad ever tried to read this to me as a bedtime story, my mom would kill him."

Technoblade chuckled lightly, watching as you took a seat back in your chair, the new book being cradled in your hands.

"Well, it's a great book to read now, isn't it?"

You laughed quietly at his joke. "I suppose it is."

After that, the two of you fell into a comfortable silence again. The book was interesting, talking about different war strategies and how to outsmart your opponent. While it is commonly used for war, you supposed it could be used for typical life as well. Especially if you're a superior figure like Technoblade.

Ah, yes, your mind wandered back to him. So this was one of his favorite books... was it that he liked war or did he like strategizing and mental manipulation? Is this the reason why he was considered a 'Blood God'?

The questions swarmed your mind but you refused to verbally express them. Now wasn't the time, you thought, you weren't close enough with Technoblade to ask him those questions. You had a feeling that the title was surrounded by something personal because he never mentioned it before and he never acknowledged it after meetings. Maybe he just didn't want you to know about it.

Your thoughts died off as you continued reading and your mind began to numb again. Before too long, you were having to reread paragraphs, forgetting what your eyes just skimmed over. Your mouth once again fell open into a wide yawn, making your eyes water.

Technoblade looked up at you, eyes skimming over you as you tried covering your yawn. Anxiety pricked at him because of his unspoken question, one that he had been avoiding asking all night. It should be simple, there's no reason why you should refuse it but something made him nervous about asking it. There were small doubts swimming in the back of his mind, creating an uncomfortable tension.

A small part of him nagged that you would think it's unnecessary or stupid to go to an event like that. Another said that you would feel uncomfortable by the request and try to avoid him at all cost. The voices didn't ease the pressure, either. Some of them still weren't too fond of you. They didn't trust you yet, though, you haven't done anything to make them distrust you.

The hybrid dug his nails into his hand as the voices in his head started to argue with each other. The situation was getting out of hand, especially for such a simple question.

"I'm giving you the day off tomorrow."

Might as well start somewhere.

Your yawn stopped abruptly as you tilted your head at Technoblade. Did you hear him right?

"What?"

"You have the day off tomorrow," Technoblade said again.

"Why?"

Technoblade zeroed in on your face, taking in the dark eye bags and disheveled hair. "You need a break. Dream told me you weren't feeling well earlier."

You bit your tongue at the mention of Dream. You'd have to talk to him later.

Sensing your unease, Technoblade was quick to add on, "It doesn't hurt to have a break, either. I think everyone needs it."

Even with his reassurance, you were hesitant. "But I agreed to this. I said I'd go through training and attend meetings to stay here. Wouldn't that be breaking the agreement?"

The hybrid shook his head. "Training wasn't part of the agreement. I suggested it for extra protection. The only part was to give inside information on the Greshams and attend meetings. You can't do that if there isn't a meeting tomorrow."

You sighed, sinking into your chair. With all the tension that was building up being released, you felt a wave of peacefulness and exhaustion take over you. Still, you spent the energy to send the man across from you a kind smile.

"Thank you."

Technoblade shrugged it off.

"Tyche wanted me to ask if you'd like to have dinner tomorrow."

Your response was almost immediate. "Of course I would."

Technoblade felt his body relax from your reply, his nerves finally dissipating.

"Do I need to dress up for it? Will there be a lot of people?"

"No, and no. It's a family dinner. We have one every couple of months."

A... family dinner? You began to tense up again.

"Oh, I don't want to intrude."

"You're not."

"Are you sure? Because I can tell Tyche I can hang out with her another time."

"Stop it, you worry too much." Hypocrite. "Besides, it's the least I can do."

You were about to argue again but quickly stopped when you realized you'd lose anyway. The conversation popped up several times before, with you saying what you did for Tyche was only you doing what you thought was right and Technoblade saying that he needed to pay you back for bringing Tyche home safe. You really didn't think you deserved all this kindness, but Technoblade was determined to "pay you back".

Instead, you just smiled and thanked him for his kindness again. And, just like every time, Technoblade shrugged it off.

Before long, you placed the thick book back on the shelf and headed to bed, excited that you were going to be able to sleep in.

Technoblade was left in the library, still staring at the small book in his hands.

He really shouldn't have been nervous about inviting you to join everyone for dinner. Besides, if he says Tyche invited you, then your response is always yes.