Dream's steps were hurried as he left the tunnels, his shoulders relaxing as he took a deep breath of fresh air.

A painful throb coursed through his arm and he inhaled sharply, quickly making his way towards the convenient pool of water nearby. Based on the sun, it was nearing sunset.

He used a dagger to cut through the bloodied cloth on his arm and yanked his gloves off. Dream winced at the bloodied flesh and swore.

Sapnap and George jogged up to catch up to him, freezing at Dream's exposed arm. They paled, but Dream ignored them and started to rinse off his arm, hissing as cold water met hot, torn flesh. Tears stung his eyes at the pain, but he brushed it off. As a Faerie, it would heal eventually. A couple of the teeth points would scar, yes, but it would heal.

George approached him cautiously and whispered, "Let me help you."

"I'm fine," Dream said gruffly.

When George pulled out white cloth from his pack, Dream's shoulders sagged. He sat down and leaned heavily against a large rock, holding his arm out for George. The prince paused at Dream's quick response before crouching and gently grabbing Dream's arm.

George winced at the obvious tooth marks on Dream's arm. Sapnap swore and said, "Nuh-uh, no way, not for me. I'm just gonna go take a piss."

The pyrokinetic quickly left the scene, disgusted at the gore. Dream was too tired to give a shit about his target. He was expelling a lot of energy, his body using it's strength to heal his injury.

George quietly wrapped the first cloth around Dream's arm and Dream inhaled sharply. He looked away and his unhurt hand fisted in his cloak, trying to distract himself.

The prince noticed this and used his own method to distract Dream. "Thank you for saving me," George whispered and Dream shrugged it off. George commented from out of nowhere, "You have nice hands."

Dream's head snapped to George and he rasped, "What?"

George jerked his chin towards Dream's hands, now gloveless. His lips tugged in a smile as he worked, wrapping the cloth around Dream's arm. He said more loudly this time, "I said you have nice hands, I've never seen them before."

Dream blinked and opened his hand, flexing his fingers as he studied them. His gaze turned to watch George's own hands, which were deftly bandaging his arm. The prince's fingers worked with ease, clearly familiar with this type of thing.

When George finished, Dream stretched his arm, wincing at the pain, but marveling at the way he could still use his arm. He asked, "Where did you learn how to do this?"

George sat down and sighed. He ran a hand through his hair and said, "I had to do it all the time, back in my home."

Dream nodded slowly, not missing the underlying meaning. He studied the prince beneath the hood of his cloak and tilted his head back, resting against the rock. His head was starting to get foggy from lack of sleep and exhaustion.

"You can sleep," George whispered, "I'll keep an eye on Sapnap."

Dream mumbled, "It's okay, I don't need to sleep."

George didn't say anything, instead he pulled out some food from the pack and ate quietly. Dream scowled at him, knowing that the prince knew that being quiet would cause Dream to fall asleep. Dream's glare lessened quickly as he fell asleep, his body begging for rest.

~

"You're a coward, Clay."

He flinched and grabbed his lover's hand, pleading, "It's okay! Trust me, I'll get us out of this."

"How?"

"I- I don't know."

"We can leave! Clay, it's not that hard!" his partner insisted.

"I can't... he'll kill us."

One monthlater, the one person that mattered, was dead.

~

Hands shook Dream's shoulders, waking him from his nightmare. Dream sat up and shoved the owner of the hands to the ground, pinning him.

You're a coward, Clay.

His breathing was rapid and his heart was racing as he struggled to figure out what was real and what wasn't. His forearm was tightly pressed to someone's neck and his legs were straddled over someone's waist.

"Hey! It's me, it's George!" the prince said frantically from below him.

Dream blinked as he slowly figured out his surroundings. His arm on George's throat loosened, but he didn't get up. George breathed heavily from below him, his eyes wide in panic. Dream felt his damp cheeks and sighed heavily, a sad sigh that longed for what used to be.

"Dream?"

"What?" Dream asked, his voice raw.

George hesitated before muttering, "You're kind of on top of me right now..."

"Oh," Dream mumbled, studying the prince below him.

He swung his leg off George a moment later and sat down next to George. He noted the night sky and dim fire, seeing Sapnap sound asleep across from them. Dream's mind was muddled as he struggled to build back up his regular cold exterior.

George sat up slowly, clearly struggling to find something to say. With Dream's sharp ears, he could detect the prince's rapidly beating heart. His own heart was slowing and he wished he could say the same for the tears falling down his cheeks.

He hated sleeping. Sleep always brought the worst dreams, which is why he tried to avoid it.

"So..." George said slowly, his voice edging on worry, "are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Dream tried to muster an even tone, but his throat was hoarse, betraying him.

George paused, turning to look at Dream and stating, "You had a nightmare."

Dream didn't reply, he just stared into the fire, watching the weak flames flicker. George asked, "Do you get them often?"

Dream said nothing again, his tears slowing. It was for moments like these that he was glad he wore a mask and hood. George asked quietly, "Is that why I never see you sleep?"

A sigh left Dream's mouth, long and shaky. He whispered, "You should get some sleep now, I'll keep watch."

He felt George's stare on him, analyzing and cautious. George asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Get some sleep, George."

"Alright," George whispered reluctantly, "goodnight then."

Dream didn't respond, listening to George shuffle around and get comfortable. The prince laid down, staying awake for a long while before sighing and going to sleep.

Dream's head turned and looked at George. He chewed on the inside of his cheek for a moment and averted his stare, looking up to the clear sky and watching the stars for the rest of the night.

Nothing eventful happened as he watched the stars and moon. Soon enough the sun was rising and Dream was waking up his two fellow travelers. The two mortals ate quietly and soon they were on their feet and walking.

"How's your arm?" George asked.

Dream lifted his arm and studied it, he had put on his gloves again. Now his arm was half of a sleeve, bandages, and his glove. He replied, "Better, give it a day or two and it'll be healed."

Sapnap whistled, "Damn, I wish I was Fae."

Dream didn't reply, instead George said, "I don't."

Dream glanced at the prince and Sapnap exclaimed, "Why the hell not?! You could be stronger, faster, heal quicker, and not to mention, you would live for a super long time!"

George shrugged. "Yeah that stuff is cool and all, but if you don't have death, what motivates you to live? Like, if hardly anything can kill you, how do you live your life to the fullest? There has to be a regular life cycle to have balance."

"Dream is a clear example of the imbalance. George, nothing is balanced," Sapnap argued.

"That's not true."

Dream listened to the two bicker behind him, a small smile creeping on his face. George had a point, but Dream never had an issue with finding motivation. His motivation was to complete his last ten years of work and then find out what happened to his family. Besides, he loved to travel and see new lands. His job allowed him to do that, so he never complained.

Antfrost bounded out of a bush nearby, in his cat form.

Sapnap let out a startled yelp, "What the hell?!"

"Relax," Dream said, "he's a friend."

Ant walked up to him and Dream took the pack from his back. Dream opened it and his eyes skimmed over the note. He sighed and muttered, "Thanks. Seeya later, Ant."

Ant nodded and bounded off.

"Ant?!" Sapnap questioned. "But it's a cat."

"He," Dream corrected and turned to him, "and he is a shapeshifter, not a cat."

"Oh," Sapnap muttered at the same time George exclaimed, "Cool!"

"I've never seen a shapeshifter before," George commented. He asked, "Do you know a lot of shapeshifters?"

Dream stiffened as he thought, there was once another. He pushed the thought away and said, "Nope, just Ant."

"What did he give you?" Sapnap asked, curiously looking at the package in Dream's hand.

Dream looked down to the package and pulled out a pearl necklace. He said, "We have to take a slight detour to pick something up."

The two eyed the necklace curiously and George asked, "Where are we going?"

"To visit a friend."

~

Days later, the group reached the lagoon.

It had only been slightly out of their way, just a little bit of travelling east instead of north. Dream motioned for George and Sapnap to stay at the shore and he walked onto the dock, clutching the necklace.

"Nihachu?" Dream called out, "Technoblade sent me."

The water was still for a moment before a figure darted from under the surface. Dream watched as Niki's pink hair broke the blue surface first, her eyes shining.

The siren smiled wide, her sharp teeth flashing. "Dream! It's been so long!"

Dream nodded and felt himself smile. Niki was one of his better friends. "Techno said that you knew to expect me?"

Niki nodded and lifted her webbed hand, motioning for Dream to come closer. Dream reluctantly listened, crouching and bringing his face to Niki's awaiting hands. It was one of the things she preferred to do when going through with a deal. Something to do with trust.

She flipped Dream's hood back and grinned, leaving his mask on. Her sharp nails grazed the point of his ear as she hummed, "I've always wanted ears like yours."

Dream chuckled, unable to stop the shiver that coursed his body when her nails brushed his sensitive ears. "Don't even think of stealing them."

Niki stuck out her lower lip in a pout and released her grip on Dream's jaw. Dream handed her the pearl necklace and she squealed in delight.

"Oh, how beautiful!" Niki exclaimed, "Techno sure knows what makes me happy!"

Dream nodded and watched as she dove under the surface, retrieving her part of the exchange. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing two jaws agape. Niki resurfaced shortly and handed Dream a short blade.

Dream turned the dagger in his hand, admiring the way its jeweled hilt shone in the sun. He tucked it into his belt and said, "Thank you, Niki."

"It's always a pleasure doing business with you and Techno!" Niki said with a smile. Her smile faded and she said seriously, "I would be careful with that blade, Dream, it's very important."

Dream's eyebrows furrowed in confusion at her sudden change in tone and his hand hovered over the blade. Niki shook it off as if it was nothing and waved to the two on the beach. George lifted his hand and hesitantly waved, a small smile on his face. Sapnap burst into a grin and waved back enthusiastically.

Dream warned her, "They're not human, y'know. They won't fall victim to your call."

The siren frowned, and said playfully, "I know, I thought I'd give it a shot."

Dream noted her acknowledgement on what George was, making a mental note. He chuckled and said, "It was nice seeing you, Niki."

"And you as well." She grinned and winked before diving back under the surface.

Dream walked to the shore moments later, raising an eyebrow at Sapnap and George's expressions.

"Dream!" Sapnap exclaimed, "You didn't tell me you knew a mermaid!"

"Niki is a siren actually," Dream corrected.

"What's the difference?"

"The difference, Sapnap," George said, tearing his eyes from Dream's exposed hair and ears, "is that one eats humans and the other doesn't."

Sapnap's eyes widened and he whispered, "Wait... she eats people?"

Dream nodded. "Sailors mostly, she prefers their salty flesh."

"What. The. Fuck," Sapnap said slowly, an expression of horror on his face.

Dream chuckled, George joining him. They continued their trek, George glancing his way often.

"Something on your mind?" Dream asked.

George flushed slightly and muttered, "I've never seen you without your hood before."

"All Fae have pointed ears," Sapnap commented. "Aren't they awesome?!"

George nodded slowly and he asked curiously, "What color are your eyes?"

Dream turned his head to stare at George, his brows furrowing. "Uh, green. Why do you ask?"

"I dunno," George said with a shrug and looked away.

Dream sensed a hand approaching his head and he grabbed it harshly, twisting Sapnap's arm as he growled, "What do you think you're doing?"

Sapnap paled. "I just wanted to feel your ear, it looks cool."

"Never ever do that again," Dream muttered, releasing his grip on Sapnap's arm.

"Why?"

George answered for him, "Because Fae ears are super sensitive."

"Okay, and?" Sapnap said, confused.

George hesitated before saying, "It's an act of trust to allow someone to touch them. I don't think Dream trusts you."

Sapnap crossed his arms and turned to Dream. "Why?"

Dream rolled his eyes. "I barely know you."

"What about George?" Sapnap asked, "How long have you known him?"

"Not much longer than you."

"Do you trust him?"

Dream glanced at George, who was listening curiously. "No."

He didn't miss George face fall, hearing Sapnap's 'YES!' echo around them. Clearly, Sapnap wasn't one to like losing, and if George wasn't ahead in Dream's friendship, then he wasn't losing.

It wasn't like Dream was going to befriend them anyways.