Acorn Hoarder

Technoblade had many hobbies. He continued sparring and self defense, he learned how to maintain a ship, and started a small potato farm. It wasn't much, but it paid his bills and let him and Floof eat. Oh, right, Floof. A small wolf found in the forest behind Technoblade's cabin, now his best companion.

Lost in thought, Technoblade continues tending to his farm. carefully digging out potatoes and replanting seeds. 2 years of experience and he still managed to mess up sometimes. Floof liked to… help. If you could call it helping. Really, he would just dig up already planted seeds, but Technoblade respected the effort. And, though he didn't admit it, he always found it cute.

He was awoken from his daydreams by an acorn hitting his head, and a small gasp.

"Who the he-" a small face popped out from the cluster of leaves above Techno "Oh, you're a kid. Well, move along, kiddo, this is private property"

He didn't really care what the little boy did, honestly. He should've, but for some reason he didn't.

"You really are just as mean as my brother said" The boy muttered, pouting. Technoblade could've gotten whiplash from how fast his head snapped towards the kid.

"Who told you about me? Nobody should know I'm here, especially not some little boy" Techno's brain swirled with panic. The royal guard could find him at any moment. He couldn't go home now, he would-

"You don't remember him? How about the name Theseus?" Oh. Him.

"Theseus? You mean the little brat?" The pinkette almost laughed at how much the boy looked up to Thesus. Though, curiously, they barely looked related.

"He's not a brat! He's my brother and he's a big strong man! At least that's what he tells me" The smaller brunette frowned at the name-calling "Anyways, I'm Wil- Salmon! I'm not supposed to tell you my real name since you know the crew. Mum said it could get me in real big trouble"

Technoblade sighed. It was getting dark now, and Floof had fallen asleep at his feet "How old are you, anyway? Shouldn't you be getting home"

"I'm 8! And Charlie lets me go to bed whenever. You should meet him! He likes some game called DND, have you heard of it? Well if you haven-" Salmon was cut off by Technoblade clearing his throat.

"Sorry, you were going to keep going. Anyways, sorry if this comes off as rude, but are you and Theseus really related? You don't look similar at all by what I remember of him" The boy looked nothing like Zeph or Theseus.

"Yeah, I just look more like my mum! Speaking of Lady, Captain should be back! C'mon, Theseus talks non-stop about you!" Techno didn't really get a choice. He was dragged over to a large ship. It was a bright hickory with the name PuffTuff carved into the side.

"Salmon! And you've brought a friend?" An unfamiliar woman crouched down to Salmon's height and laughed when Salmon eagerly hugged her.

"Yep! And he knows Tommy!" Realisation flashed across Salmon's eyes in an instant as he gasped "I didn't mean to say that!" The poor boy looked like he was about to cry

The woman hugged Salmon tighter, whispering something. It seemed to calm him almost immediately. Technoblade assumed it was his mother, especially with how similar they looked. He wondered how Theseus could ever be related to the two of them.

Salmon's eyes lit up as he heard footsteps along the ramp, which connected the ship to the port. "Captain!" He wriggled out of his mum's arms as fast as he could. The moment the brunette got close enough he started telling tales of his 'adventures' with Charlie.

"Prince?" Theseus almost ran to him, eyes widening. "You're back! I told Cap you'd come back but she didn't believe me!"

"I won't be here for long, kiddo. Your brother here kinda dragged me over" Theseus frowned, before backing up. Technoblade took the chance to pull out the compass from his pocket, which was spinning wildly.

"You kept it?" Captain escaped Salmon's death grip and was now walking towards Technoblade, smiling "I thought you'd throw it out at the next chance"

Honestly, Techno had forgotten he had it so just awkwardly smiled and nodded.

"So I'm assuming the kid brought you here?" Captain asked after a moment. Technoblade nodded. He didn't really know what to say, since he never expected to be back on that ship.

Before Techno was able to say anything, Salmon ran back up to the two of them, pulling at the pinkette's pant leg. He looked like he wanted to say something but no words came out of his mouth.

"What's up little guy?" Captain asked. Salmon pointed at Berry and Theseus, arguing once again. Quite loudly. Captain understood and went to tell on the two, immediately shutting them up. Technoblade thought he even saw Theseus apologise.

Techno and Salmon stood silently for a moment, both of them overwhelmed and too exhausted to keep up a conversation. Salmon eventually grabbed Theseus and- quite literally- dragged him over.

"Dude I can walk you know?" Theseus points out rather enthusiastically, although a laugh manages to escape him.

"Yeahhhh but apparently not when it comes to…" Salmon trails off, not yet knowing Technoblade's name.

"Technoblade. But just Techno's fine. Not for you though" A smile plays on his lips as he points to Theseus, the last part of the statement clearly aimed at the boy.

"Weird name for a weird man" Salmon shrugged. The older man sighed at the bluntness of the boy. Who knew 8 year olds were so mean.

"Salmon, leave-" He was cut off by a small shout and footsteps.

"HANNAH!" The younger boy ran off before Technoblade can register what's happening. He returns in a flash with a cat, considerably bigger than Techno remembered. The cat jumped out of Salmon's arms and around the pinkette's shoulders, giving him a small, but comforting, surprise.

It took about an hour of Salmon chattering with Technoblade for Captain to show up once again. Her face was serious, but soft- almost maternal.

"Prince, can I talk to you for a moment?" Theseus let out a small 'ooooooo', before getting a stern look from Captain. Techno followed the older woman into a small room.

"About Tom- Theseus…"

"I promise nobody will know" Technoblade shivered, considering the consequences. He'd heard about the PuffTuff crew's adventures over the years he'd been gone. He knew what they were capable of.

"You know we won't- can't- risk that. I'm giving you a choice here, Technoblade." It wasn't much of a choice, really, join a crew of pirates or imprisonment. Maybe worse. He didn't want to think about it. He doesn't have time as Captain puts her hand out

Technoblade sighs.

And shakes her hand.