(Careful! This plays in the AU of my book "A tale of Humans and Hybrids"! You can read it like this, but you may not understand some references if you haven't read it! You have been warned. Also, the beginning conversation is the result of a 1am writing spree that I just couldn't bring myself to delete. Enjoy)

This Oneshot is dedicated to my friend WatcherWraith

The world of hybrids was a strange one... and Technoblade knew that. He was still learning about it from the hybrids he lives with, and even that was only a fracture of how many different hybrid species actually exist. Not to mention that it was even more difficult to learn about as a human who is not used to any kind of hybrid tradition or biology. He could only judge by watching the people around him... and at this point he was convinced they are more advanced that any human village he had ever seen. Still... there were a lot of things he didn't understand about his new family.

So when Phil started to teach him about how even in the hybrid world there were predators and prey, even with the ones as intelligent as humans, he was both shocked and... confused. "Wait... you guys still do that? Like... how animals do it? Hunt each other down for food?" Phil snorted and continued to slice the meat for the stew he wants to make. "Careful, some might take that as an insult." "I know you don't. Please tell me that meat is not from another hybrid." The voices roared up at the thought, some angry at them daring to eat hybrids, others chanting about death and blood. The Elytrian quickly shook his head no.

"Of course not. I'm not a monster." What a fun choice of words when Techno was being yelled at to kill something again... not that he still hasn't told Phil about the voices. "But you said-" "I know, but what I said doesn't apply to hybrids in here. This is supposed to be a sanctuary for everyone, no matter what species. All of us agreed on that. Poor Sneeg and Tommy would have already been eaten if we would go by those principles in the sanctuary. Not to mention that predators would also eat weaker predators... so Fundy would have been dead by now too. Probably."

Techno hummed, promptly ignoring the growing cries for violence and watched his friend move around the small kitchen. Yeah... he can definitely not imagine Phil going out to hunt other hybrids... not with how gentle he treated every one of them, even after an argument. "So... hybrids of prey species still have to run and hide or fight off larger hybrids to not become their dinner. Just like with actual animals." "Most of the time... yeah." "That feels like such a weird information after seeing all of you interact the way you do."

Phil laughed. "Yeah I can imagine." Sharp talons sink into meat once more as he began to cut the last chunk and suddenly Techno imagined it being something still alive. He didn't like that thought, though the beings in his mind disagreed. "You actually managed to make me scared of your talons now." "Oh come on. Why would you out of all people be scared? You've seen me rip hunters to shreds and that never bothered you before." "That is something different." "Mate, how is that different in any way?" "I don't know... they deserve it."

Phil huffed, his wings ruffling. Techno watched the feathers puff up, but he wasn't sure what emotion was causing it this time. "Tech... You know I would never hurt you..." Oh... that emotion. "Hey... I know that. I trust you with my life Phil. That won't change." Nervous blue eyes met his own, pupils only slightly larger than normal. It always amazed him how much Phil's eyes worked like the ones of cats. And it helped him decipher his emotions a little better whenever he couldn't talk. "You're not actually scared of me... right?"

The human sighed and smiled, getting off the chair at the table so he could stand next to his friend, leaning against him a bit. "I'd never be scared of you. Like you said, I've seen you rip someone to shreds and was barely affected by it." He reached over and took Phil's hand, squeezing it softly. "I'm sorry about that comment about your talons. Didn't mean it like that." Phil squeezed back and smiled, wrapping a wing around Techno's shoulder. "It's fine. I overreacted a bit anyways..." "You didn't, you were just worried." There was a moment of silence where they just enjoyed each other's company, then Phil moved back to slice the meat. "Can you tell me a bit more? About this hunting stuff?"

The meat was set aside as the Elytrian moved to the other steps of preparing their meal. "We don't do this hunting stuff in here... we only kill actual animals for food, not hybrids." Techno slowly nodded. Of course he knew that. He wouldn't have switched sides to ally with them if all they did was try and eat each other. Wouldn't helped with the whole 'not-seeing-them-as-animals' part. "Just out of curiosity... what kind of prey would Elytrians hunt, if you would have to kill a hybrid for food?" The bird sighed and turned to face his friend. "You won't let this go huh? Maybe I shouldn't have said anything." "Nooo Phil please. I want to learn this stuff. This is really interesting." He chuckled about Techno's enthusiasm and played with the wooden spoon in his hands. "I don't like to talk about it... because as much as I hate it now, I have done it in the past, when I was still young and it was everyone for themselves."

Techno tried his best to keep a calm expression. So he has actually done it... he shouldn't be surprised, considering how old his friend is. He had lived far longer than the sanctuary existed... and before the sanctuary it was everyone survives on their own or with their pack, if they had one. But the way his friend nervously glanced around the room... it was obvious Phil is uncomfortable talking about his past actions. The last thing Phil needed right now was thinking that Techno hated him for something so... natural, in a way, as fucked up as it was.

"Hey... it's okay. You said it's how you survive. It may sound a bit odd to me, because you and most hybrids have become so human to me and we don't eat each other. It made me forget that to some extent... you are still part animal. That includes hunting for food. Owls catch rabbits, so it shouldn't feel weird to say that you as a bird of prey caught bunny hybrids. I'm pretty sure bunny hybrids exist, right?"

Phil nodded. "Yeah. Lot's of 'em. One of my... main food source when I was younger actually..." The human hummed and placed his head in his hand, watching his friend's wings twitch. "What else did you hunt?" "Well... I'm not sure what the Elytrian norm is and therefor what is considered normal prey... since I never met anyone else and I barely remember my parents. But what I did before the sanctuary and all this, when I actually had to go out and hunt food, sadly even hybrids, then it was mostly smaller ones that I could easily snatch up and go somewhere safe to eat. So like... what you said, Bunnies, Foxes, Fish... once even managed to catch an Inchling, but that was pure luck. And not really filling... taking the bigger ones was easy so I can share with my murder."

Techno smiled. "See? Wasn't so hard to admit." Phil huffed and leaned against the counter. "Yay... you managed to make me confess killing hybrids." "Phil. It was food. It's okay. You're better now, that's what counts. Now you protect hybrids, help each other. That's what advancing is about." The Elytrian smiled a bit. "Yeah... I'm glad my kids didn't have to grow up in the world I had to... things were very different a couple hundred years ago. Much worse than it is now." "I can imagine." Phil nervously shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Please never tell them about this... they won't understand. I don't want them to think I am a monster."

Before Techno could answer, a crow came rushing in and nearly missed it's landing. Phil immediately began chirping as he asked his crow if they were alright and what was going on while Techno moved to put out the fire in the furnace. Looks like dinner will wait a bit. "What's going on? Someone in trouble? I swear if Ranboo got close to those water caves again-" "No." Phil turned to look at his friend, both worry and anger present on his face. "Hunters. They are messing around at the fog border... have been for two hours, according to my crows."

That wasn't good news... it had only been a few months since they had fought off Dream and rebuilt the sanctuary defenses. "How many?" "Five." Phil's crow trilled and ruffled it's wings. "And they have caught hybrids too. The cages are covered up so they can't see what kind of hybrids, but they heard them call out for help. So they are alive for now, but who knows for how long." Now that made his control over the voices snap. As violent as they are, they have grown protective over the hybrids too, never calling for their blood. Only from hunters or animals. And right now, their cries almost deafened him. "Then let's go and save them. The two of us can handle five hunters. Have Scott on standby in case we need backup."

"Are you sure?" "Yes. It's outside of our territory. The less hybrids leave the sanctuary, the better." Phil nodded and quickly sent his crow with a note to Scott before grabbing his sword and golden armor, while Techno put on his netherite one, put on his crown and secured the bone mask on his face. The single Emerald earring glittering in the sunlight that filtered through the window.

Looks like the voices will get some blood today after all.

~~~

He was scared.

That's all he could think about. He was scared and cold and hungry. Loud voices were angrily yelling at each other in a language he couldn't understand. It made his ears hurt, which he had tightly pinned back against his head. The large creatures had stuffed him in a big box out of thin twigs, but they didn't feel like twigs. They were cold and much stronger so the small hybrid couldn't break them. The creatures had covered his box with something, making it almost completely dark.

The hybrid's heart was racing as he pressed more into the corner, the fur on his body raised as he tried to stay warm. Loud voices were still yelling and suddenly, the box was being moved. The hybrid cried out when he was roughly thrown into the opposite wall of the box, resulting in an angry voice closer to his box and something banging against it. The hybrid whimpered and curled up again. Where were they bringing him? Why can't they just kill him? Why do they have to torture him like this?

Oh he knew he should have stayed in his burrow today, but no. His stupid brother had to drag him outside to some very conveniently placed carrots he had found. Granted, both of them immediately ran towards it, because by the gods above they were both starving. It had been a rough few months... and it had been the third burrow they made after the first two were destroyed by creatures that looked similar to these ones. But their starving stomachs had lead them into a trap, resulting in him getting thrown into the box and his brother... the last thing he saw from him was blood soaked brown fur. The predators must have eaten his brother by now... and want to keep him trapped until they are hungry again.

He whimpered and tried to get rid of the mental image of his dead brother, tried to ignore the faint smell of blood that still lingered in his nose. Those creatures will kill him... and all he could do was curl up and pretend he was still home... still safe, somewhat.

A loud screech outside his box made him cry out in fear and curl up as tightly as he can. Bird... he has to hide from the bird. The creatures may be fed but the bird isn't and it sounds like it is ready to hunt. His box was throw around again and he shrieked when landing on his arm, sharp pain shooting up the limb. More loud noises came from outside, furious screeches of a bird and angry roaring from a creature he didn't recognize the voice of. There was screaming... were they fighting over new territory? More prey? The strong smell of blood lingering in the air and wet splashes suggest that...

The loud noises finally stopped, but the hybrid remained curled up as tightly as he could. If he stays as silent as he can, maybe he won't be spotted. Maybe they will leave and he can get out, can get somewhere safe. It stayed silent for a bit and the hybrid was about to try and get out of the box when he heard footsteps right in front of him. His heart stopped for a second, just like the footsteps.

Then there was a bright light and he cried out, bracing for whatever creature won the battle to take it's price.

~~~

Techno stood admits the five corpses, all cut into at least three pieces, torn apart by his blade or shredded by merciless talons. While he had busied himself with wiping off blood from his axe and allowing the voices to have their fun, Phil had begun to open the few cages that were scattered around, but most were empty. Probably meant to catch them and any hybrid they encounter on the way here. "Alright. Guess the trapped hybrids were false alarm then... no wonder with all the covered cages. It's good to be rid of the hunters anyways. Let's go back to the others and-"

A panicked scream made his heart stop. He turned towards Phil, pulling out his trident to defend his friend before realizing that that scream hadn't come from him. It was too high pitched... no slight chirp or screech to it. "Phil? What-" The quick flash of his wings snapping open made him click his jaw shut and silently watch his friend. "Shhh... it's okay little guy. I won't hurt you." Phil was leaning over an opened cage that had a black cloth bound over it to hide what was trapped in it. The cage itself seemed like it was pretty messed up... like it had been thrown around. Hunters must have gotten lucky and actually caught something on their way here. "It's okay... you are safe now... you don't have to be scared..."

Techno walked over to his friend, peeking over his shoulder to get a good look at what kind of hybrid was inside. The cage was small... so either a smaller species or a child. And when he got a glimpse of the creature in the cage, he was heartbroken to see it was both. Pressed in the furthest corner, shaking and with wide eyes staring at them unblinkingly, was what he could only identify as a bunny hybrid. It had pale pink fur and big brown eyes with a red tint to them, blood soaking the fur at some spots, only a thin pair of pants covering some of its body. It looked mostly like a bunny walking on two legs... with the front legs being more like arms with fuzzy hands.

"Phil... that's a child." "I know. Poor thing is terrified... immediately started crying when I reached for them." The human eyed the kid, noticing how their eyes constantly flicked between Phil's blood dripping talons and Techno's bloody skull mask now. Of course. They must look like the definition of a predator to the poor kid. "Phil... step away from the cage. You're scaring it." "What?" "Your talons. You are scaring them." Phil looked at his clawed hands for a second, then nodded and slowly stepped away. Techno took off his skull mask and bloodied cape, putting them on the ground and out of the kids sight. Hopefully the little guy can understand Enderspeak.

"Hey kid... it's okay. We chased off those scary people that took you. No one can hurt you now, you're safe." The child's ears perked up as he watched the human in front of him closely. Hopefully taking off all too blood covered things helped appearing more friendly "Can you understand what I am saying? I don't know if kids your age learn Enderspeak already." A small nod was the answer, but nothing more. "Okay good... can you come out of the cage? I want to check if you are hurt and need a wound fixed. You have quite a bit of blood on you." The small bunny remained curled up, clearly not trusting him one bit.

Techno could hear feathers ruffling behind him and quickly turned to made sure his friend stayed away. As much as he believes the Elytrian to be the most gentle soul he has ever met... the child considers him a very dangerous predator. Having him near the kid will only result in even less trust. But to his surprise, Phil didn't come closer. His friend waved at him from his position perched on one of the bigger cages, just in the corner of the child's vision so they know where he is and won't panic over not seeing him anywhere. Techno turned back to the cage and smiled, raising both of his hands so that the bunny can see them. "See? I don't have anything to hurt you with. No claws, no weapons. I'm a friend, I promise. I can bring you back to your family, if you let me."

The ears that had slowly lifted again pressed flat against his skull once more as the child whimpered. Oh... so the family is either dead or... "Phil, did you check all the other cages? Are there any other bunny hybrids around?" The blonde shook his head. "No... all empty mate. He's the only one." "They ate him..." Techno was sure his neck almost cracked with how fast he turned it back towards the child. "They... what?" The kid sniffed and began to shake. "They ate him... the creatures... big predators... I saw his blood... they killed and ate him."

The two adults exchanged a look. How odd... to face such a topic right after discussing it merely 30 minutes ago for the first time. And now they had a traumatized child having those exact thoughts, even though Techno doubted the hunters ate their catch. But a kid his age probably didn't know the difference between a hunter and a predator. "I'm so sorry little one... We would have tried to help if we found you sooner." The child just shook his head and curled up more. "Should have stayed in burrow... but they had carrots..." It hurt... it hurt a lot to see such a small thing, such a young child so broken and sad. "It's okay little bunny... it's not your fault. You were just hungry. Everyone needs food and it's a really... mean move to use it to lure someone out."

The child sniffed and nodded, big brow eyes looking back at Techno. "I'm cold..." Something stirred in his chest at that. "I... I would give you my cape but it's not really clean right now... you bunnies are incredibly sensitive to smell I'd assume and-" He barely had a second to react before a tiny fluff ball crashed into his chest and remained there, whimpering and shaking. Without a second thought he allowed his arms to curls around the tiny creature, pressing him against his chest. "Oh bunny... it's okay... you're safe now..."

Techno practically curled himself around the child, both for protection and for warmth. The bunny is so tiny... barely bigger than a human toddler, but definitely older than that, judging by the way he talks. It only made his heart ache more and raw disgust swirled in his gut at the thought that he used to be one of them... that he is the same species as those hunters that have caught this child. Phil slowly moved off of the cage and towards them, looking at Techno for permission to try and have another attempt in comforting the hybrid as well. "Hey little bunny... can my friend come a little closer? He's really nice, I promise. His wings are very warm too, much warmer than my arms."

Big eyes stared up at him before turning to face the Elytrian, who had stopped a good distance away from them, crouched down and wings tightly pressed against his back to try and hide them. "Hey mate..." He waved at the child, not moving from his spot. The Bunny stayed curled up in Techno's arms, hiding half his face in his chest. "Predator..." Phil's eyes softened and he quickly tucked away his clawed hands. "Oh no sweetheart, I'm not a predator. Haven't been for a very long time. I help hybrids like you to hide from the humans. Those are the creatures that took you."

The bunny hybrid curled up more in Techno's arms, making the human coo and slowly rock back and forth to calm them down. "It's okay little bunny... you're safe now. Phil won't hurt you, he's really nice. We will protect you from danger from now on, okay?" There was still fear in the hybrids eyes, but he nodded a bit anyways. Phil slowly inched closer, making sure the child can always see him move until he settled down right next to Techno. Keeping his talons tugged away out of the child's view, he slowly spreads one wing out and curled it around Techno and the small hybrid.

For a second he tensed as the black feathers curled around him, trapping him, but he didn't move from Techno's arms. Then, slowly, his body began to relax as the feathers began to actually warm him up. It made both Techno and Phil smile as they watched the tiny hybrid for a bit. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" Techno hummed in agreement, cradling the bunny closer to his chest, who looked ready to fall asleep. Probably was exhausted from all the stress of what happened today. They sat in silence for a bit longer, allowing the child to fall asleep before getting up. It only took one look between them before it was decided.

They will take the poor thing back to the sanctuary and protect him with their life.

The walk back was silent, Techno carrying the small bunny while Phil carried the discarded cape and bone mask. Despite Phil's wings no longer wrapped around him, the child kept sleeping peacefully, half of his face pressed against Techno's chest, right over his heart. It only made the spark of fondness in his chest grow. It was such a precious sight... but it also broke his heart, knowing what had happened to him.

"He's so tiny... how old do you think he is?" Phil hummed and eyed the child again, trying to see any small details that could help narrow it down. "I'm not sure. I'd guess him around... 6 years perhaps? He's definitely bellow 10, that's all I am really confident about." "To think he's that old... and the size of like a two year old human." "Mmm... Bunnies are rather small. I'm pretty sure he's already half grown actually." Techno looked down at the hybrid curled up in his arms, his protective instincts only growing at the revelation. "He's... he won't get bigger than double this?" "Pretty sure, yeah." "Phil that's tiny." "I know..."

The two watched the child sleep for a little while, waiting for the guardians to finish the bridge so they can cross. Flying was a bad idea right now, the kid was already cold, no need to make it worse. "Hopefully we can get the kid to actually want to stay with us... I don't know how well he will react to a place full of predator hybrids." "Yeah... but he seems to like you, so that's a start. Once we get him to trust us... we can slowly introduce him to others. Preferably the not bunny predator ones first, like Tommy and Tubbo and Sneeg." Techno nodded, cradling the bunny closer as he began to cross the river.

"I'll fly ahead and prepare stuff. Blankets, clothes, some food. He'll need it once he wakes up." "Alright. Throw the ladder down so I can get into the house once I am there." The human watched as his friend spread his wings and took off, some crows following him while a few stayed behind with Techno to watch over both him and the child. It wouldn't surprise him if the birds have already taken the kid in as their sibling of sorts, considering they think of Phil as their dad. "Let him sleep. He's exhausted." The birds only cooed and trilled, staying close to him as he walked across the large opening and towards Phil's tree-house.

By some sort of miracle, none of the other hybrids spotted him, so he was able to climb up the ladder and retreat into the house without having to shoo away any of his friends. Once inside, he closes the door behind him. It was common knowledge that if Phil's door was closed during the day, no one should disturb him as he is either hurt and resting or not doing well emotional wise. "Is he still sleeping?" Phil was rummaging through his chests, a pile of soft blankets already next to him on the floor. "Yes. Barely flinched when a crow landed on my arm to watch him." "Good. He needs the rest. I found some of Tommy's old baby clothes, but they have wing holes in them..."

Techno carefully took one blanket and wrapped it around the small hybrid, who immediately curled up more into the new warmth. "That won't matter when we keep him wrapped up in blankets for now anyways." "Good point." A bundle of clothes was put in Techno's waiting hand. "I'll heat up some water so we can clean the blood out of his fur and check him for wounds." "Sounds good." The human sat down in a chair and adjusted the blanket a bit, deciding that clean clothes will be put on after the blood is washed away.

It didn't take long to heat up a water bucket to the point where the temperature was tolerable. Phil returned with the water, a cloth and some healing potions. "I'd love to wait with this until he is awake again, but we can't risk an infection." "Yeah... probably for the best." Carefully, the dirty clothes were taken off and the blood slowly cleaned from pale pink fur. Techno found a cut on the bunny's back, not deep but definitely painful and quickly poured some of the healing potion over it. The magic slowly stitched it back together until there was only a faint scar. Phil bandaged up a smaller wound on his arm, mostly just bruising that won't require a healing potion.

Through it all, the bunny stayed asleep, twitching every now and again when a wound was dealt with. "Shit..." Phil held the bunny's arm and gently moved it, their patient immediately twitching and groaning. "It's broken. I'll get some things to make a splint." Techno watched him move around the house to gather things, some of the crows helping by picking up a large piece of wood from a broken ladder to use for the splint. It wasn't a difficult procedure, setting the bone and then securing it with wooden sticks and cloth, but judging by the small hybrid's flinching it must hurt a lot.

Finally, they carefully pulled the new, fresh clothes on him and wrapped him in a blanket again. "There. Wasn't so tough." Phil snorted. "Because he is asleep. Try dressing a kid that is awake. Especially a hurt one. Much harder." Techno grinned while cradling the child. "Right. Forgot you old man have more than enough experience with that." "Shut." The Elytrian huffed, but laughed afterwards anyways. "How about you go up to your nest with the little guy while I make some food? I'll think of some carrot based stuff to make."

Techno looked down at the sleeping child, conflicted for a moment. "I can help you make food though. We can make a makeshift nest down here for him and-" Phil placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him one of those smiles. "Techno. I got this. He trusts you, so it's best that you stay with him at all times. He'll feel safer." The human sighed and nodded, allowing Phil to pull him down for a headbonk before he climbed up the stairs to their nests, keeping the bunny close to his chest.

~~~

He felt warm... that was his first thought. He was warm and wrapped in something soft... comfortable. His face nuzzled into something even warmer... and his ears perked up a little when hearing a calm, steady heartbeat. For a second he thought that he was still in his burrow, together with his brother, huddled together for warmth. But when he cuddled closer to what he thought was his brother, he noticed that it was much bigger and had a completely different scent.

His eyes snapped open, every hair on his body raising as the faint smell of blood hit his nose. Something big... someone big... was holding him, trapping him. He squirmed, trying to get out of the predators grip, to run for his life, but the arms were too strong. "Easy little guy... you're safe." The voice was low... deep... and rumbled through his whole body with the way he was pressed against the larger body. Slowly, he tilted his head up to look at the person and was met by warm red eyes and an easy smile. Oh... he's starting to remember.

Despite how big the person was, the hand that came up to scratch at the fur on top of his head was gentle... soothing... no claws that try to tear open his skin. It made him melt into the touch, the warmth. "There we go... you're safe. No one will hurt you here. Remember me?" The bunny slowly nodded, starting to relax into the comforting touch. "Good... do you remember my friend? He was with me when we saved you." Yes, he remembered the big bird, with huge black wings and clawed hands, sharp teeth and piercing eyes. The bird that... that had smiled at him and warmed him with his wing.

"He's downstairs and making you some food. I just wanted to warn you that he is here, so you don't get scared when he comes up here. Is that okay?" The bunny nodded and nuzzled back into the warm chest. So warm... he can't remember the last time he felt so warm. "Can you tell us your name? I don't want to address you as just 'Bunny' if you have an actual name." The tiny hybrid glanced up at the large person. "I'm Bunnyblade."

The person looked at him weird after that. "Bunnyblade? Really?" "Yes... all bunnies have 'Bunny' in front of their name." Was it really such a weird thing? It had always made sense to him to have those names. "Oh... I didn't know that. And... blade?" "Ma said it was because when I was born I tried to chew on a blade of grass instead of drinking milk." The person laughed, bright and happy, the motion having the small bunny slightly bounce on his chest. "That is a great reason for your name."

Bunnyblade smiled a bit at that. He made them laugh, made them happy. That's a nice feeling. "What's your name?" The person smiled, still so bright and cheery. "I am Technoblade. A human, in case that wasn't obvious." Bunny gasped, tiny hand clinging to the fabric of Techno's shirt. "Really? You are named Blade too?" "I am. Though I go by Techno most times. It doesn't have a special meaning in my case... but people call me 'The Blade' because of my skill with a weapon's blade, not grass." "That's so cool!"

Techno reached up to scratch the top of his head again, immediately resulting in the excited bunny to melt under the touch and curl into his chest. It felt nice... warm... protected... safe, like he hadn't felt in a long time, until there was a second voice talking. "Everything okay up there? Can I come up or do you need a moment?" Bunny flinched and hid away in the blanket wrapped around him. Techno immediately tightened his hold a little, but mostly out of comfort for the child, not to trap them. "It's okay Bunny... that's Phil. The bird that saved you. He's my friend, the kindest person you will ever find."

Slowly, Bunny moved to peek out from under the blanket. Techno smiled down at him. "Can he come up? He has food for you. Something with carrots." For a second, he hesitated. Last time there were carrots for him, those predators caught him and killed his brother. But now... safely tucked away in Technoblade's arms, he does feel a little safer in accepting the food. He promised to keep him safe... and if the two predators wanted to eat him, they would have done it by now, instead of making different food. "Okay..."

He watched closely as the tips of two wings appear over the edge of the stairs, then bright blonde hair and blue eyes. The bird moved slowly, probably to not try and scare him with any sudden movements. "Hey mate. How are you feeling?" Bunny kept a close eye on him, watching as the bird sat down at the edge of the nest, a bowl in his hands. Talons. "Warm..." A gentle smile settled on the bird's lips. "That's good. Glad you're not cold anymore." He slowly stretched out his arm and holds the bowl out for him to take.

"It's carrot soup... tastes pretty good for me, so maybe you'll like it too. If not I can just get you regular carrots, but I wanted to try soup first as it's easier on your stomach." When Bunny hesitated to reach for the bowl, Techno took it instead and held it in front of the small hybrid. "At least give it a try? You're probably starving..." Oh he was. Has been for weeks, with barely any food to keep him alive. His arm was shaking a little when he reached for the food, resulting in Techno carefully guiding the bowl up to his lips instead so that he doesn't spill anything over himself.

After he had the first tiny sip of soup, his uninjured hand grabbed the bowl tighter as he greedily gulped down the entire rest, not caring if it was still slightly too warm on his tongue. "Woah hey! Calm down Bunny! No one will take it away from you, you have all the time in the world to eat." That didn't stop the small hybrid from practically devouring the whole bowl in seconds. Phil cooed softly and took the empty bowl from Techno's hand. "You poor thing... do you need more? I still got some left downstairs."

Bunny immediately nodded, ears perked up as he watches Phil walk back down the stairs to retrieve his food. The bird does seem really nice, just like Techno had promised. "Anything else you need? I can get another blanket if you need it." Bunny shook his head no and curled back into the warm embrace. Techno began stroking over his head again, switching between scratching between his ears and just stroking over the soft pink fur at the back of his head. A regular bird landed near them, black feathers ruffled up as it hopped closer to eye Bunnyblade. The small hybrid stared back at it, ears twitching in interest. "It's one of Phil's crows... he has hundreds of them following him around. Very playful and chaotic little things."

Bunny nodded and stretched his arm out, giggling when the bird fluttered it's wings against his touch. A second bird landed next to the first and the small hybrid reached to pet it too. And not even five minutes later, there was a small crowd begging for soft pats and scratches that even with Techno's help never seemed satisfied. "Awww they like you." Phil settled down at the edge of the nest again, the bowl in his talons filled with more soup. "There is so many of them!" "I know. I've got a lot of bird kids. Murders are usually rather big... can reach up to thousands of birds." Some crows settle down on Phil's legs and shoulders, happy trills and coos filling the air.

"What are murders?" Phil smiled and handed the bowl with food to the small hybrid, who took it without hesitation this time. "It's the crow term for herd or... family." "Wow... that's a big herd." "Yeah, it really is. But we love it that way, never a dull or lonely day with that many of us around. Also pretty safe when you have so many of your kind protect you." Bunny nodded, starting to eagerly drink the soup. Family... family always meant safety. Now he doesn't have it anymore... what does that mean for him now? A crow that was perched near him cawed towards Phil, who sighed and shook his head. "That's his decision, we can't make that for him."

His ears perked up at that and he squirmed in the human's arms, who chuckled and loosened his grip slightly. "What his my decision?" The Elytrian scratched the back of his neck, exchanging a look with Techno before speaking. "The crows... as well as me and Techno... want to give you a safe place to stay. To protect you. Make you part of our murder." Wide brown eyes stared at nervous blue ones. "You... want me to stay with you?" "Of course we do." Techno's voice vibrated through his whole body. "The moment we saw you in that cage, scared and hurt and without family to return to... we immediately grew protective of you. You're a kid, Bunny and a kid should never have to grow up without family. Even... if we aren't by blood, we still want to provide that for you. If you let us... if you want us."

Family... safety... he could be safe. And not just that... but they have food too. And a warm burrow. Everything he had always dreamed about. With Technoblade here... who swore that no one will hurt him and the big bird, Phil, who was starting to earn his trust too, maybe he could accept that.

"I'd like that..." Techno smiled and hugged him a little tighter, Phil grinned and spread his wing out over them. "We'll make sure you stay safe... and once you are ready you can meet our friends. Other hybrids, not all predators, don't worry." Bunny nuzzled into Techno's chest again, a happy noise in the back of his throat. "And they are nice?" "Of course. This is a hybrid sanctuary, everyone lives together peacefully. But you can take your time, don't rush it. All of this is still pretty new for you... I can understand if you are still a bit scared of me."

Bunny frowned at that and looked up at Phil, who was still smiling like he had done the whole time. His talons rested in his lap, probably trying to hide them from view. With a little wiggle, Techno let the small hybrid go and allowed him to climb out oh his arms and over to Phil. He looked surprised, but didn't object as the tiny bunny climbed into his lap and nuzzled into his chest. It took a few seconds, but then clawed hands came up to rest on top of his head and on his back, carefully cradling him closer. Bunny smiled and pressed back into the touch, almost sounding like he was purring when sharp talons began to gently scratch at the spot between his ears.

"I'm not scared. I know you are nice." Phil cooed and held him even closer, wrapping his wings around them. "Welp, you won't get out of his arms for a while. Once his mother bird instincts kick in there is no stopping it." Techno slipped under his friend's wing and leaned against him, pressing one hand to Bunny's back for a second. "Phil is quite protective over his nestlings, no matter if they are his species or not. He's adopted a lot of orphaned hybrid kids and raised them as his own." The small hybrid smiled up at the two adults. "So you are my new parents now?"

Phil began laughing while Techno stammered some flustered excuse. "Just me little guy, we don't raise kids together. Techno is more of the... big brother type. No kids of his own." Bunny looked between the two, confused. "But... you have matching earrings?" "What does that have to do with it?" "Aren't you two bonded? That's what they mean." Techno had his face buried in his hands at this point, while Phil began to laugh once more. "Oh no Bunny. That's not what they mean in our culture. We wear them as a friendship token." "Oh..."

The bird grinned and patted his friend's shoulder, who refused to look up. "Guess you broke him Bunny. Good job." Bunny grinned and crawled over to Techno again, patting his arm. "I'm sorry Techno. It's okay. I want to have a big brother too." Before he could react, the human reached for him and cradled him again, using one hand to start tickling him.

The nest was filled with loud giggles and happy chirps as the bunny helplessly fought against Techno's much stronger grip, laughing and giggling with not a care in the world. "You know what Phil. No. This is mine now, I won't let you raise him to bully me. You've got enough kids anyways." The bird laughed and raised his hands in defense. "Alright then. If you insist, you can raise him on your own."

"No wait hold on. I didn't say alone." Techno grabbed Phil by the arm, the other safely cradling Bunny against his chest. The bird grinned and bonked his forehead against Techno's. "Of course I'll help you you idiot." Techno relaxed a little, allowing Bunny to shift a bit and grin up at him. "Sure you aren't bonded?" "Phil look what you have done to my boy!"

The rest of the day was filled with teasing, laughter and more carrot soup.

Maybe this could work out, this could be a new beginning.

A new family.