Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dream collapsed by the shore, at the cords Punz promised him he would be at. He was so tired and everything hurt. He still hadn’t healed much from Quackity’s torture, he came back for a month or so after Techno left before he decided that he couldn’t do it anymore, not while Techno walked free. 

He said that until Techno swore that he wouldn’t break Dream out or until Techno was dead, it was too risky to continue. So he left Dream there with a mangled leg. It hurt when Sam set it. But at least Sam set it cleanly. 

Dream was so tired. He wasn’t even worth more than the bare minimum of the favor to Techno. It was obvious the disdain Phil had for Dream. They cast him out the moment they could, leaving him with nothing, like he was nothing. 

He just wanted Punz. He just wanted Punz to show up and hug him and remind him he’s loved, at least a little. 

He doesn’t know how long he lays there, struggling to stay warm. It’s so, so cold. Techno was warm, but he isn’t with Techno anymore. It’s his fault really, he let Ranboo die. He needs to bring him back, so at least Techno will be a little less mad at him. Then maybe he’ll help? He at least won’t join Sam in his hunt. 

He hears running. Someone has seen him. He can only pray it’s Punz. 

“Dream, hey buddy, are you okay?” Punz has weird-colored eyes, like blood-coated iris, and bits of red mixed in his blonde hair. He doesn’t remember that from before. He barely remembers his own face though. “It’s going to be alright, I’ve got you, I’m going to take you somewhere safe okay?”

Dream nods, not even trying to say anything. Punz scoops him up and takes off running. Dream curls into his chest to avoid being jolted. And maybe he’s still longing for a comforting touch. 

He ignores the fact that Punz is taking him towards the main area. If Punz has decided that he isn’t worth anything, then that is that. He can’t take it anymore. If Punz doesn’t want him, then he will leave Punz as the only person with the revival book. 

Dream doesn’t know how long they travel. He’s barely awake. Punz is warm and safe and whispering assurances to him and Dream doesn’t even care if it’s a trap or trick. 

Punz calls him ‘love’ and Dream holds on tighter. 

“Alright, Dream, I know you don’t know what’s going on, but I promise you can trust it, okay? Just let it in and everything will be fine. You’ll feel so much better and we can all keep you safe,” Punz murmurs, slowing down at the entrance to what looks like a cave in the middle of the SMP.

Dream nods, not even really paying attention. His throat hurts. He’s so hungry. 

Punz sets him down before putting one of Dream’s arms around his shoulder to keep him standing. “Not much farther, just hang on a little bit longer, okay?” Punz seems worried. Dream didn’t mean to make him worried. It still feels like he can’t speak. 

They enter a room covered in red. Red carpet, red satin, and stretching red vines. In the center, a large red egg. He remembers this room a little. It was a lot less fancy, made of simple stone and not Blackstone last time, and the egg barely looked like anything. It wasn’t important then, but part of him wonders if he should have looked into it more. Part of him wonders why it feels like the server is a bit numb here, like it’s sleeping. 

That part is drowned out by the comforting murmurs of Punz, assuring him he is safe and there is nothing to be afraid of. 

Along the walls are balconies, fitting the almost ballroom-style area, and Dream tenses as he sees some server members walking up to the edges, touching or leaning on the railing.

Why is it all so red? 

The cell was black, the lava orange, Techno pink, but his cape… his cape was red. His cape was safe. 

Is this a false safety too? 

“It’s okay Dream, they know about us, and they want to help,” Punz presses their foreheads together, just like they used to do. Dream wants to ask questions, he wants to tell Punz what has happened, but he can’t. He didn’t speak for a long time, and today he screamed. 

He looks again, and sees them. They all have bits of red on and in them, like Punz does. 

Bad, someone whom he considers a father, who tried to sneak him food and comfort, standing next to his partner Skeppy. Skeppy, whom he hasn’t seen in honestly as long as he can remember, was looking much red-er, though he couldn't tell from this angle if it was his actual coloring or just from the lighting of the room.

Ant, a long-time friend who would watch Bad’s back when Bad visited him, likely responsible for making all the health potions that got poured down his throat. 

Ponk, who Dream remembers as a good friend of Sam, but he’s missing an arm and the way Sam talked about him meant they likely weren’t friends anymore.

And Hannah, who he knows is new and remembers the way her request had flashed across the little part of his admin panel he could access in the cell. Who he hadn't gotten to really interact with but also remembers as kind and gentle, with wings that are torn but slowly mending. 

Yes... Perfectly safe... Let me, let us in...

Dream panics at the voice in his head. He clutches at Punz, leaning more heavily into his side.

“It’s okay Dream, just let it in. I promise it will help,” Punz rubs his back, shushing him. “Trust me. Please?”

Dream takes a shuddering breath, and nods. He reaches out to the world around him. It’s easy to find the voice again, like it was waiting for him to search for it. 

Beloved... Admin... No fear... We are same... Survive, protect, and unite... I claim all... Become family... Never unite otherwise, Dream flinches at that, the sentences are broken like a faulty connection over comms but the meanings are clear, you can have us... We know you... And Punz... Come back again... Revival... No more harm... Peace... Love... No more sacrifice...

How could they want him when they know all that? What use is he?

Little Dreamer... Treasure all... Magic is wondrous... Even cracked... Weight of destructive world... Much to bare... I want you... Bright little sun... Hidden by moon... Eclipse is ending... Be our sun... Join me... Join us... Let go... Have a family... We choose you... Always...

Dream looks to Punz. Punz just nods soothingly, gesturing to the Egg. Dream lets go of him, slowly walking forward until he collapses by the Egg’s base. 

And in that room of Red, he finally gives in. 

And the cracks of the world begin to be filled in by Red. 

Chapter Text

Punz had understood Dream’s desperation for The Plan to succeed but that certainly hadn't meant he liked it.

He had certainly enjoyed the idea of getting back the peace from the server's beginning but having to deal with Tommy taking two of the other's lives and then finding out about the torture going on inside the jail by Quackity’s hand, with Sam’s blessing no less, had soured any victory at tricking the whole server. He hated having to be tied back to the shadows, having to see his partner be turned against, cornered, and then shoved into an obsidian box that everyone else believed would be where he would rot for the rest of his life.

And that's when the Egg spoke to him. 

It gave promises of peace, of uniting the server and getting Dream out of Pandora's Box so he never has to be harmed again, and honestly…how could he refuse?

And when Bad called the meeting, standing in front of all of them in his red-tinted robes and spoke about what had been happening in the prison he knew he couldn't keep quiet, and the Egg picked up on that immediately.

“Puffy got Sam out before the Egg could fully convince him to join us,” Bad huffed, annoyed. 

It must look strange, six people sitting in a circle, not speaking but still reacting to something. Talking telepathically was certainly something that seemed like it should be jarring, especially with having no experience in it before, but the Egg swept those feelings away with familiarity and unity and comfort that soothed any itchy nerves on the subject. Though the ease of seeing and feeling anyone else's thoughts certainly has its ups and downs.

Punz could tell the Egg was watching him, watching his thoughts, but he couldn’t stop the disappointment, fear, and anger that coursed through him at hearing about Sam. 

Punz... Something... Tell us...? The Egg whispers, pushing him into the spotlight.

“Punz? Why are you scared of Sam?” Ant tilts his head curiously, being the first to tap gently on their connection. “It’s not like he has one of us, or can do much to come after us since he was still hurt without the Egg’s healing. Does he have something you care about?”

Punz learned early on that thinking about things in this room was as good as a confession. So he wasn’t surprised when he heard gasps rise out loud as Dream flashed across his mind. 

“So you still care after betraying him?” Hannah questions, being the most unfamiliar with the situation and their relationship. Her tone was certainly confused as even she had heard how harsh and final betrayals ended on this server.

Punz sighs. He knew this moment would come, and he can only pray that Dream will forgive him. “I never betrayed him. It was staged and planned pretty much since Schlatt held the festival. I only have the goal of unity because he does. I would have left here long ago if not for him.”

He could feel the others mulling it over, and could feel their shock. He knew it was a lot to take it, to recontextualize everything they've known since that point until now, he just hoped they wouldn't take it poorly. 

“Th-...That would explain the times he screamed your name in the prison…” Bad shutters, and Punz feels the echo of sobs from his memory. 

Punz practically lunges at the memories, but they are gone before he can grab them. “Bad, why did I hear Dream’s sobs in your head? And what do you mean he screamed my name?” Punz feels frantic. What’s happened? Is Dream hurt? What is Sam doing?

Bad hesitates, but the Egg coxes him to speak. “Quackity has been coming to the prison daily for the past couple of months, and I think he’s torturing Dream. He hasn’t been there for the past week, but I saw Techno entering last week an hour or so after he left. Techno didn’t come out.” 

They are all flooded with memories of screams and Bad begging for Sam to give Dream more than potatoes. There are flashes of Sam trying not to have a panic attack, the absolute power Quackity had in the prison and those inside it, and Techno’s voice echoing around the halls. 

Punz sits in his chair, barely understanding all that he’s seeing through Bad’s memories. 

Then he explodes.

He screams, stands up and grips his hair, screaming for all who are nearby to hear. He lashes out through the mind link with his fury, his regret, his grief. He lets them see the times Dream screamed in laughter, and how the screams of fear were so much more gut-wrenching because of that. He pours out his memories of the times Dream encouraged him to drive the knife into him for their research, and how he never wanted to know what Dream screaming for it all to stop sounded like. He almost forces the others to watch how energetic Dream gets, his sobs after Sapnap and Geroge left him, his fear of losing everyone, and his nervousness when he asked Punz out. He practically puts his relationship with Dream on display in the brightest spotlights he can, and then shows them how lonely it is to wait for your love, how much it hurts to know they've been suffering and you have done nothing.

He collapses to the ground after pouring out his heart into the bond. 

Punz feels a hesitant hand on his shoulder, and it starts rubbing in a comforting pattern after he doesn’t shrug it off. 

“I’m so sorry,” Bad whispers, his apology echoing around the room. The others are silent, still reeling from the onslaught of information about someone that they had pushed the happy memories of away or had never gotten to have those memories to begin with. To suddenly see such personal and emotional moments of this man they had been basically avoiding for months to a year now. They weren't sure what to say so let Bad take the lead.“Techno will get him out. He’s dependable like that and doing so follows his ethical code.”

Punz nods, not acknowledging the tears that soak into his mask. He lets Bad pull him into a hug. He lets himself be comforted by the others in the Eggs hold. 

And he lets the Egg dig a little deeper into his head as he wails. 

Punz anxiously waits near Dream, wanting to hold him tight, but it’s best if he does this part on his own. He hears whispers of assurances from the others and concern for Dream. He’s almost scared of Dream being connected to the mind link, doesn’t want him to feel like he was forced to share his memories with the others. 

But Dream didn’t speak at all when he was bringing him here. Punz is terrified that even with the Egg’s help, Dream won’t recover, at all. What if Quackity maimed him? From what Bad was able to worm out of Sam, that was one of the few things he was able to ban. But what if Quackity decided to go beyond that anyway? 

What if what Quackity did is something that Dream could never recover from? 

The Egg isn’t much help, more focused on seeping into Dream’s mind, looking at the world through his eyes, and healing him where it can. Punz just wants Dream to be okay.

He paces back and forth, noticing that Dream’s hair takes on a bit of red tint at the roots by his part, just like his did. That’s a good sign. He also doesn’t look nearly as injured as he did when Punz found him by the meeting spot. 

Punz almost sobs with relief when he feels a new link being added to the others. It isn't open yet, no memories or thoughts coming through but woven into the rest of theirs as a silent space resting in the back of their minds. He’s going to be okay, thank Prime.

The Egg’s vines slowly loosen from around Dream and bring him to Punz. He sits down on the ground, pulling Dream into his lap. 

He’s weak… So weak… Silence until strength... 

Punz nods, more out of habit than anything. He tries running a hand through Dream’s hair, but it’s too tangled. 

“We should take him elsewhere. This place is a bit too public for him,” Bad crouches down next to them, softly running a hand along Dream’s cheek. “Come on.”

Punz lifts Dream in a bridal carry, trying not to think of his daydreams of doing the same thing while Dream wheezes in laughter, and follows Bad deeper into the caves. 

Dream starts to fade in and out of consciousness as they walk, mumbling nonsense. 

It's sad that him being able to do just that is bringing Punz a sense of relief. At least Bad feels the same way he does. 

They finally get to the “Resting Room” as Skeppy dubbed it, filled with beds, blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals provided by Bad for them to stay in. While the floors were made up of the Blackstone, red bricks, and other red-toned blocks that most of the caves were decorated with, it was hard to see through the many rugs that Punz had dragged in. Punz had gotten a little obsessive with making it safe and appealing for Dream, so at least they are prepared for him to stay. 

Moving over to the corner he had set up, covered with as many spare blankets and pillows as Punz could get away with snatching, he slowly lowered himself to his knees. Punz couldn't say he wanted to pull away but the other needed to rest so he tried to gently put him into the nest but Dream curled more into his arms, groaning softly as he rubbed his head against Punz’s chest. The ex-mercenary snorts a quiet laugh and warmth fills him as he moves the hand from under Dream's knees to his hair so he can comb through it gently. He feels a flash of curiosity and warmth back from the other members in response but he ignores them to stay focused on the man before him. Bad stays quiet but also sends back a flash of affection and pats Punz's shoulder as well as Dream's head before walking away, giving them space.

Punz is about to try and release Dream again but the other makes another saddened noise and finally raises his head. Well, more like let's his head fall back to stare at Punz with half-lidded, unfocused eyes, mouth tugging down in what is likely meant to be a frustrated grimace, if Punz knows Dream and he does, but it honestly just looks like a grumpy pout.

A pout he really wants to kiss away.

Idiot, he's hurt and needs to rest stop simping for like two minutes!

Punz feels another flash of feelings, these ones teasing and amused, coming from Bad more than likely, so he sends back the mental equivalent of a middle finger just to annoy the other back and focuses on Dream as the other lifts his hand to Punz's cheek.

It rested lightly there, weak enough that Punz could tell he was struggling to hold it up even that little. However he knew better than to point it out until Dream had said what he wanted to say, and say something he did, in a rough, scratchy tone. Though from disuse or long-term abuse from screaming he couldn't be sure and didn't want to think deeply about it at the moment. “I don't want you to go. Stay with me…please.”

“Of course.”

The words are out of his mouth before he even thinks about the question, always ready to agree and accept anything the other asks of him and this is one of the requests that he would never refuse. He gives another small snorted laugh and keeping the arm he still has under Dream's shoulders he lets himself slip sideways to lay down and drag the man to, softly, fall onto his chest. Curling his other arm around the other's waist to pull him close and press a quick peck to the rainbow locks now resting under his chin. Dream wheezes silently, shoulders shaking slightly in laughter before he melts again the body beneath him and listens to the steady rhythmic heartbeats under his ear.

Both fade off to dreams and the first fully peaceful rest either have had in a long time.

Chapter Text

Dream slowly makes his way back to consciousness, curling up into the crimson sheets, basking in warmth. It takes a couple of minutes to realize exactly how wrong that feeling is, and then to notice that something is touching his thoughts what in Prime’s name??

Dream starts to thrash, struggling to get away from arms that he can now feel around his waist and tentacles in his head. 

“Dream! Dream, it’s me! You’re okay, it’s okay!” Punz .

Dream collapses at his voice, whimpering as he feels the soreness in his muscles. It's not nearly as much pain as he should be in though. 

The events of the day before come rushing back to him. Techno, the escape, Punz, the ballroom, the Egg, the voice, and giving into the strange mumblings in his head.

He tentatively reaches out with his mind and finds that he can feel streams of thought just beyond a wall. A weaker consciousness seems to be directing it all, but even now he can feel it getting stronger, feeding off his server. 

But it’s also healing the server. He can feel it filling in creeper holes and preventing glitching. It’s not as nearly parasitic as it looks on the surface, feeding back into the server almost as much as it’s taking. 

“Dream, hey love, are you fully awake?” Punz whispers, running a hand through his hair. Dream nods and relaxes into the mess of blankets that he’s found himself in. “I’m glad, I was worried for a bit. You didn’t say anything when I met up with you.”

“Sorry,” Dream croaks, eyes peeking open to take in the sight of the other resting under him.

“It’s okay, I know that Quackity had an iron grip over Sam, I was just scared,” Punz presses their foreheads together, laying his head back down carefully.

Dream yawns as his eyes start fluttering shut again. Punz chuckles and says “I know you want to sleep more, but we have to talk about some things.”

Dream tenses. That’s not good.

Punz gently pushes them both up into a sitting position against the wall. Dream resting in his lap with their legs stretched out and still tangled together. His hands go from just resting against Dream's sides to rubbing at them soothingly, likely picking up on his momentary freeze-up.

“I will follow you wherever Dream. You know that. But it breaks my heart to see you tearing yourself apart for the server. I know the Egg isn’t perfect, it feeds on sentient blood for Prime’s sake, but the Revival Book makes that not a problem. I’ll leave this place in a heartbeat if you give the word,” and even Dream can feel, past the mental wall, the way the Egg and the others reach out in disagreement, in argument, “but please, maybe this could be our family. Maybe it’s better to show the others what they are missing, than to herd everyone else into a family.” Punz puts his forehead on Dream’s chest. “Please.”

Dream looks at Punz. Even with the red roots, he looks so much healthier. He has people he trusts not only his, but also Dream’s safety with. 

Dream won’t take that from him. Not again, at least, his mind whispers. You already did once, and look where that has gotten the both of you.

And maybe Dream can’t handle being so alone anymore. Not after prison, not after Techno, not after Quackity.

“Okay, we stay.” 

Dream pretends that neither he nor Punz are crying in that moment as they curl up together surrounded by scarlet quilts. 

“Okay, so the Egg thinks you are strong enough to have the mental link open soon, like tomorrow, but if you don’t feel ready, it could wait another week!” Bad explains, fidgeting with his fingers. 

It had been weird interacting with people who weren’t Sam or Quackity. Being friendly with someone besides Techno. Being shown care by someone other than Punz. 

Dream likes it. He had missed everyone , even when he wasn’t locked away. It was nice to be around people, even if it could get overwhelming.

“Could we wait another couple of days? I’ve got something I need to do.” Even if Techno no longer cared about Dream, he still cared about Techno. And Techno did get him out, didn’t force him back into Sam’s clutches ((after failing him)), and he owes him for the sword. 

And his Enderwalking side was friendly. Ender was a separate being from Ranboo. Dream knows that they jumped off a bridge at least once because they knew death was the only way to be separated, but felt guilty afterward because they didn’t want their freedom to come at the cost of Ranboo’s death. Ranboo still unknowingly gave up time and resources to help Dream and Punz, because they later found out that Ender would just straight up steal from him in hopes of ‘earning’ a revival. 

“What do you need to do?” Punz wraps his arms around Dream’s waist, nuzzling into his neck. “I want to be able to share thoughts with you. Make sure you know just how much I love you.”

Dream hesitates. Punz wouldn’t try to stop him, right? It could mean drawing the others' eyes back to them but he just couldn't leave this undone, leave the connection between him and Techno so broken without trying to fix it in some way and this seems like the most straightforward way to.

“I, uh, I want to revive Ranboo,” Dream says. Punz lets out a confused noise. 

“The ghost of Ranboo, Ghostboo, has let me know that Ender is free. You don’t have to Dream. And we never promised Ender that we would revive Ranboo. Just that we would think about it.”

“Well, I, um, I still want to. I owe Techno that much…” Dream whispers. 

“I know where Sam is keeping the body, so I could go get it,” Bad offers. Dream has really missed Bad, hopefully, the other feels how grateful he is from his smile and nod.

Punz and Bad share a look and go slightly glossy-eyed, which Dream has come to learn is a sign that they are communicating using the mind link. Dream’s a little scared of the mind link, if he’s honest. He doesn’t want Punz to see what happened in prison, and also the confusing feelings he’s had around Sam, his ex-friend turned (reluctant?) warden. What if Punz considers it emotional cheating? What if they decide he’s too broken?

But he also is so tired of feeling left out and alone. 

Punz sighs. “Do you have anything you want to say to Ranboo?”

Dream nods.

“I’ll revive him, I don’t want you exerting yourself too much, but we can do it here so you can say your peace before sending him on his way,” Punz groans, affection bleeding through the teasing authority. 

Dream smiles and nods. It still feels weird to talk, so he’s been doing more non-verbal communication. He doesn’t have to hide his love for Punz anymore either, so he pulls him in by the medallion for a kiss. 

Bad excuses himself with an embarrassed cough followed by “I’ll go get the body,” while they kiss. 

Dream sighs contentedly when they stop, simply existing in each other’s spaces. No pressure to act a certain way and no fear of discovery. 

“Prime, I missed you so much,” Punz whispers, flopping next to him in the mess of blankets. “I was so scared that you wouldn’t make it back out.”

“There were some days I thought I wouldn’t make it out too,” Dream plants his face in Punz’s chest. “I’m sorry. I should have set up the prison better.”

“It’s not your fault, please don’t blame yourself,” Punz rubs his back. 

“It feels like it,” Dream whispers. “It feels like you will look in my brain and see something you don’t like and leave me.”

“That’s just your head lying to you,” Punz whispers back, petting the other's head soothingly. “Nothing could stop me from loving you Dream. I promise.”

Dream tears up, leaning into the touch. “I’m sorry for making you do this. I just want to say sorry, keep what feels like a promise to Ender, and do one last thing for Techno.”

Punz rubs his thumb along Dream’s check. “It’s okay, I would do anything for you. I don’t think this is a good idea, or that you owe them anything, but I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth.”

“I really want to,” Dream pleads.

“Then we will. For now, let’s rest. The prison is far enough that it will take a while for Bad to get back, especially if he doesn’t want to be noticed,” Punz promises.

“Okay,” Dream snuggles as close to Punz as he can and lets himself drift off.

Punz looks down at the corpse in front of him. It’s surprisingly well-maintained, so there should be fewer complications in the revival. 

Dream is wrapped up in multiple different blankets with only his head sticking out. Dream had said he felt cold earlier, and Punz refuses to let him get sick. 

The rest of the Eggpire had gathered to watch and act as emotional support. Though it also had the effect of showing Dream having a united front of allies, which should help dissuade people from attacking them, at least right away. 

He sighs. Punz had tried to talk Dream out of it, but he was convinced. Whatever. Ranboo was already split from Ender, so he may not be helpful anymore, but he might lose what little spine he had. Hopefully.

Punz ideally wonders if that train of thought makes him a bad person, but he honestly doesn’t care. He has accepted that his moral compass is Dream and Dream alone long ago. 

He doesn’t bother with the whole ‘gentle fetch’ thing that he does with Dream. He doesn’t travel into Ranboo’s limbo like he does with Dream, he doesn’t gently guide him out, and he certainly doesn’t lovingly place his soul back into his body. 

The first time he revived Bad after a feeding to the Egg, he did realize that he didn’t have to go into the limbo itself as they had originally thought. He still did it for Bad, out of courtesy. Plus, he’s pretty sure that Bad is the only person who's an ordained minister around. 

And maybe the demon has grown on Punz a bit. 

For Ranboo, he simply yanks on his soul tether and shoves him back into his body while chanting. 

If Ender was still bound to Ranboo, of course he would be more careful like he was with Bad. But this is Ranboo. Who refused to pick a side, who liked to straddle the fence and act like that gave him any ground over the literal menace Tommy was even though he still hung out with and supported him. He could go for ages on why he could give less than two fucks about the enderman hybrid and the two fucks he gave were in the room with him and faded to some other realm somewhere. For now, he had to focus again since the ritual was coming to an end.

Ranboo stutters awake, flailing around as he tries to get his bearings. He whips his head around, noticing Dream cocooned in blankets.

“Dream! What, why, huh, where am I? Why did you revive me? I’m not letting you get to Tommy!” Ranboo tries to scramble back and flails nonsensically, limbs still getting used to the blood flowing back through his veins. He looked like a newborn fawn on ice skates, it gave Punz a bit of satisfaction to see he isn't as graceful as Ender had been but brushed the thought away to cut into the ridiculous conversation before it could start.

“Are you kidding? Look at him, he literally can’t move his arms. I’m the one who brought you back, you absolute idiot,” Punz snapped. He can’t stand this child. Again, he’s barely any better than Tommy. “Now shut up so Dream can say his piece and we can throw you out.”

Ranboo gawks at Punz before Bad grabs him by the scruff of his neck and drags him closer to Dream. Ant is lounging near enough to intervene in case Ranboo grows a spine suddenly and tries to attack with his claws, but Punz doubts it.

He refuses to take a chance with Dream ever again though. 

“Hi, um, I’m sorry about all the time and stuff Ender stole from you, they kinda got stuck in your body? Somehow? Never explained it, but you died so they’ve been untethered from your body and are back to wherever they are from.” Dream offers a weak smile. “I would also like to apologize for accidentally getting you killed.”

Ranboo’s mouth is gaping open like a fish. Punz tries not to smirk. He can feel Skeppy’s amusement too. 

“Also, could you tell Techno I’m sorry for causing him so much trouble? And that I don’t blame him for leaving me. And that if he digs a couple of blocks further underneath where the blueprints were, he will find a map to a base of things he could have.” Dream sounds so sad and hurt, Punz wants to go punch the stupid pig in the face. 

“Uh,” Ranboo stutters. “I mean, uh, okay.” 

Dream makes eye contact with Punz and nods. 

“Hannah, do you mind escorting him out?” Punz asks. 

“Sure! I’m totally going to threaten him though,” Hannah grins, before grabbing Ranboo’s arm and dragging him to his feet. The size difference is comical. What makes it even funnier is the absolute look of terror that Ranboo has on his face compared to the look of insanity Hannah has on hers. “Time to leave! I’ll escort you out!”

Tell him that Bad will drag Ender back from the Void or something to repossess him if he hurts Dream! Skeppy giggles, which causes Dream to give him a weird look. 

Will do! Hannah giggles back, and Dream must catch on because he rolls his eyes at them.

Hannah pulls Ranboo from the room, seeming to chat with Ranboo, but Punz has taught her how to be mildly unsettling, and it shows. 

Dream reaches out a hand to Punz, who quickly grabs it and joins him in the mess of blankets. Instead of leaving like Punz thought he would, Ant flops on top of them both, throwing most of his weight on Punz.

“Ant!”

“Cuddle pile everyone!” Ant cackles.

Dream, like the evil man he is, justs laughs as half of the Eggpire decides to bodyslam Punz into the mattress. 

Punz can feel the Egg in the back of his head, almost pouting , but before it can start whispering that Dream’s mind should open, he can feel Ant bat it away like it’s a ball of yarn.

…Do cat hybrids do stuff like that? 

“Shut up and sleep Punz, your brain is so loud,” Ponk groans, starfishing over the group to get his limbs to touch everyone.

Punz snorts. Have you never heard Dream talk when he gets excited? His brain is going to be loud, constant, and uncontrollable.

“Oh, yeah, that’s going to be chaos. We are going to experience his zoom-brain-days first hand aren’t we?” Bad sighs fondly.

Hannah gives Bad a weird look. “Zoom-brain-days?”

“Bad co-parented Dream with Puffy, sometimes Dream would have days where everything was just chaos,” Skeppy pipes in mischievously.

“It’s times like these where I can’t wait to be connected to the hive mind thing, because this is giving me serious FOMO,” Dream snarks from beneath the rest, his tone teasing but some truth flints behind it. 

Punz pulls him closer, the others shift to cuddle even more. “I’m sorry darling, soon. Sleep now.” 

Punz slips off into sleep shortly after, sure that he and Dream are protected and treasured. 

Chapter Text

Dream fidgeted with his hands, a little anxious but excited. On one hand, he wasn’t fully comfortable with people being able to see inside his head, but on the other hand, he would finally be able to be fully included. 

He wants to be included and connected to them so bad. 

They are back in the ballroom where he first saw the Egg in all its glory, still glowing softly with that red light. He hadn’t realized how beautiful and alive it was when he first saw it. He understands how the others speak of it a little better now. 

“Okay, just place your hand on it and open your mind. I’ll guide the connection, help the bond form properly, and then we will share memories!” Bad explains, clearly excited. Dream tries to return Bad’s smile, but he fails. 

“Oh, I didn't realize that everyone would see my memories,” Dream tries not to hunch his shoulders. He doesn’t want them to see something and decide he’s too monstrous to keep around. 

“Don’t worry about it, you will see our memories too and we understand that we are all complicated and so is life,” he reassures. Dream isn’t convinced, but he has to make the leap at some point. Might as well do it now. “We’ll start whenever you are ready Dream.” 

Dream takes a deep breath and places his hand on the Egg. 

Dream gasps as something rushes into his mind. He instinctively tries to pull back, but Bad keeps his hand on the Egg, whispering reassurances. 

Dream feels a sudden calm fall over him. It feels like Bad’s hugging his thoughts. 

He waits for Bad to do something. And waits. And waits.

Dream grows confused as nothing continues to happen. Isn’t having your brain linked with other people’s supposed to be more… dramatic? 

Suddenly, the world explodes into colors and sounds he didn’t know existed. Like the first time he had seen fireworks or heard an orchestra. It’s overwhelming, but he can feel Bad gilding him through it, trying to show him how to make the chaos into order. 

The thing about Dream though, is that this is the kind of chaos he can thrive in given time. George and Sapnap could never find anything in his chest system, yet Dream knew where everything was. 

He picks up on how Bad is moving the lights and colors and sounds around and starts doing so himself, creating a comforting system that looks like a mess but makes perfect sense. He gathers and sorts and creates piles 

Finally, he’s ready to open the floodgates that he knows Bad has been holding back. 

Bad’s hands disappear, and the music becomes song, the colors become pictures, and the light becomes feelings. 

He can feel how much Bad and Skeppy missed him, how many nights Bad cried because he felt like he couldn’t do anything, how Ant hid away after his prison shifts because of how overwhelmingly sad he was, he sees Sam cut off Ponk’s arm from his eyes and the conflicting emotions that follow. He feels their pain, but it is just a momentary flash of their lives. 

He also sees how terrified Sam was of Quackity, his mother arguing with Sam to let her in, Sapnap snapping at Tubbo for saying that Dream was always a monster, and Callahan turning up his nose at Punz and signing that he doesn’t talk to traitors. 

He could distantly feel the tears in his eyes. Other people still cared. They still loved him. He could talk to them, maybe convince them to join him. Punz was right, it will be better to show them family than try to force it. 

And then he feels Punz’s love hit him straight in the chest. 

It's overwhelming and possessive and wonderful . He knew Punz loved him. He did. But this is something else. It feels like he is looking into Punz’s soul and finding that Dream is his soul. It’s like looking at a tapestry of Punz’s life and finding himself as the focus, carefully woven with everyone else along the edges. He feels Punz’s pain during the false betrayal and his worry while Dream was in prison. He sees Punz watch the prison from the trees for hours, thinking of nothing but Dream. He feels how lonely Punz was without him, even when he was surrounded by others. He sees how hard Punz worked to make sure Dream would be comfortable and safe when he got out of prison, almost obsessing over creating rooms for him. He sees how deep Punz’s love runs for what feels like the first time. There will never again be any doubt about how much Punz treasures him. 

He might as well be Punz’s entire world. 

Dream feels the tears fall as he smiles, basking in the wonderful feeling of being wanted so deeply and so completely. 

Punz anxiously waits for the connection to open. He can feel how Bad has closed himself off to help Dream connect to the rest of them properly, but he still worries. He always worries. 

Ponk has repeatedly told him that worrying so much about Dream is bad for his health, but Punz can’t help himself. 

Finally, after what feels like ages, the connection is made. He reaches out to feel Dream’s mind…

And is bombarded with memories. Memories that hurt. 

“It’s okay, you’re okay, you still have Punz, he won’t leave you,” Dream mutters to himself as he hides in a tree. The tears on his face are sticky and he’s cold from the night breeze. “You had to, they weren’t safe.”

It doesn’t get rid of the hole in his heart that is dripping blood.

Shift 

Dream stands on top of the grid, the sun shining down on a young crater. He had been filled with glee the day before, but all he could feel now is dread for the next part of the plan. 

“You’ll be fine,” he whispers to himself. “It will be worth it.”

He barely believes himself anymore. 

Shift

Punz is cuddling up to Dream on their couch, and what a strange thing it is to watch yourself cuddle up to your beloved and feel the love your beloved has for you, running his hand through his hair. “We’ll be okay darling. And if you decide at the last minute you want to bail, you can. 

Dream feels the dread of what is to come, and no matter what Punz says, he can’t bail. He has to do this. He has to.

Shift 

Sam was being weird. It was like he wanted to be in control but also equals with Dream. It was weird, but Dream didn’t fight it. Sometimes Sam would touch him gently, and Dream relied on that not to cry. Dream would be dispensed only potatoes, but if Sam was in the cell when Dream had hunger pains, he would sometimes give him leftovers. 

Sometimes Dream wonders if Sam is just as lonely as he is. 

Shift

Dream sobbed over the body of the dead cat, Tommy lay dead across the cell. 

Sam was going to be so mad. 

His hands hurt.

He wants Punz. 

Shift

Dream tries not to scream as Sam pulls another pin from his back. Quackity must have given some of them hooks. 

“I’m sorry,” Sam whispers, placing it in the tray with the other bloody pins.

“Please, please, I’m sorry, just keep him away,” Dream begs, feeling tears run down his face. 

“I can’t,” and Sam sounds so sorrowful, but Dream doesn’t know if he can believe him anymore. Surely this is revenge. For what, he doesn’t know. 

Does he deserve this? 

Shift. 

And Punz cries as he sees memory after memory of pain, of reaching out to Sam for comfort while longing for Punz. The little hope that Techno brought, damaged when he disappeared and shattered when Techno abandoned him. 

Techno abandoned him. Techno knew what happened, and cast him away. 

Punz can barely contain the rage burning in him, finally registering everyone else around him. And a dark, hurt, vengeful part of him was glad they too were feeling pain. 

Hannah is crying, kneeling on the ground. Ponk looks so lost and shocked, Ant seems a moment away from breaking something, and Skeppy is clinging to Bad as he tries to protect Dream. 

Dream looks so peaceful, and Punz is glad he’s experiencing something good right now. But the contrast only reminds Punz of the difference between how they have been living these past months, how Dream’s life has brought them to their knees, and how their lives have made him smile. 

He’s going to rip Quackity apart, piece by piece. Maybe Techno too, depends on if he can overpower him and kill him without Dream knowing.

He pulls himself together and walks over to where Dream is standing. He gently pulls Dream away from the Egg, out of Bad’s arms into his. He hugs Dream, and when Dream seems to blink back to reality, reaches out with his mind. 

“Can you hear me?” he asks, rubbing a hand along Dream’s back. 

“Yes,” he whispers, sticking his face in Punz’s neck. “Yes, I can hear you.”

“Can you hear me too?” Bad fidgets with his claws, nerves radiating into the link. “Can you talk like us? It’s okay if you can’t, it took Ponk a while to get the hang of it.”

“I… maybe… I think I can. Am I doing it?” Dream looks around at them all, and Punz feels a bit of confusion from him. “This is weird, why is Hannah on the floor, is that where the weird feeling came from, how much can they hear, if my brain starts to play music will they hear it?”

Punz laughs, startling Dream, and sends affection toward him. “You got it! Feelings are often transported too, though I think your mind might be a little more potent than ours. That’s okay, welcome to the mind link Darling.” 

Dream grins, and Punz basks in how safe Dream feels.