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Chapter Text

As the puppeteer stares at the dark walls of his prison, he hears footsteps slowly approaching him from behind.

"This is all your fault."

The masked man laughed and turned around to look at the blond teen, "Really now Theseus?"

He removed his mask to properly glare at his youngest brother. " Brother"... can he still call him that after all that he had done?

"You decided to go on some hero-glory quest against me for some music discs, I don't think you have a lot of room for argument here."

Theseus flinched and he looked down in shame, "I- I never thought things would get out of hand like this."

The green mage chuckles, "Well, that makes two of us-"

Theseus snapped his head towards the older blond.

"After seeing how they drove my father's household into the ground, I feared that the same would happen to the dukedom, so I agreed to help the prince. I thought it would at least unite everyone and end this feud once and for all…turns out I was doing more damage than help."

Dream sighed, "I'm a fool for thinking that this all wouldn't backfire on me, on our- no, your family."

He looks up and opens his arms as if asking the hero, for a hug.  "Well, at least you can still fix things."

He glanced at the sword poorly hidden on the boy's side.

"Why don't you start with ending the big bad villain"

[The Fated Hero chapter 15/15]

For the fifteenth and last time that he clicked "post chapter", he feels a faint sense of closure.

Dream Daylight was once a great archmage and the royal prince's personal necromancer- to cut it short, he ends up dying at the hands of the youngest son of the Minecraft family.

He then wakes up as a different person, on a different place that is definitely not the prison he was thrown into. After a brief moment of panic and contemplation, he remembered something that he once read from the books when he was learning about magic; "transmigration". A phenomena where one's soul travels to a different world upon death. A mere theory that he apparently gets to confirm first hand.

A quick investigation leads him to the name of the person his soul has claimed; Clae Wastaken. Later on, he realized that the guy was hunched face-down on his arms in front of his laptop screen surrounded by empty cans. The poor guy must've speedran his whole semester in under a week with no sleep. That much energy drink would've been more than enough to cause a person's heart to stop.

He wonders if the original Clae also reincarnated as some other person. 

Thankfully the memories of this person remained intact, but still, it took him a month to be able to adjust to an entirely different world. It turns out that Clae is- (was?) a college student who apparently runs on energy drinks, cup noodles, and pure spite. After graduating college, he is now living happily with a decent job as a software developer at a fairly large company.

And just for the heck of it, or maybe some sort of weird, coping mechanism, he started writing his previous life under the guise of a fictional web novel of some sort. Today, he was finally able to finish it.

And in Wattpad nonetheless…

He glanced at the clock, 7:30 in the evening, huh, he should probably grab a meal.

--- --- ---

As soon as he got out of the convenience store, the rain starts.to pour down on the streets, with no umbrella, he sighs and decided to just book it towards his apartment.

He only noticed the truck barreling towards him when his peripheral caught the blinding white lights.

CRASH

He opens his eyes, ow, why can't he turn his neck? No, why does everything hurt- He shakily raises his hand. Red, oh- did he got hit by the truck-

ah, is he dying again?

In a state of delirium, he laughs, blood splattering from his mouth-

Well, would it be funny if he transmigrated back to his original world?

When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by some sort of a ceiling light. He closed his eyes once again. He must have survived then, that's good then, right?

To adjust his sight from the lighting, he slowly blinked his eyes open, taking his time to rest on the bed, who knows what injury he'd jostle if he got up- so instead he looks around. A room that looked like it came from the set of some medieval netflix show is what greeted him instead of the plain white walls of a hospital room.

Forgetting his initial thought, he immediately sits up. And he regrets doing so as he feels every injury he has be disturbed by the action.

For a short second, he just laid back on the bed, contemplating all the regrets he had the misfortune of committing to eventually lead to this point…

And when he got up, he actually took a moment to check on his surroundings.

Despite the fancy-looking place at first glance, he can tell that the room is actually quite shabby and plain for a noble, there are barely any furniture places and almost every paint on every surface seems muted and dulled due to time passing.

This looked like more of a guest room. Considering how the whole place lacked any personal touch of the person he is now.

He ignores the ugly feeling of familiarity stirring inside him.

While scanning the room, he noticed a hand mirror placed right on the bedside.

Huh, that's convenient…

He took a deep breath before revealing whose life he was going to live this time.

He did not expect to see the familiar face of his previous one.

Green, vibrant eyes, and blond hair almost akin to strands of gold.

Right on the mirror, staring back at him is the face of Dream, the firstborn of the Daylight family.

eh?

EH?

EEEHHH?

WHAT?

WHY?

He pinches his face to make sure he's not dreaming, yeah, maybe he's just in a coma, this is just a- ow... Realizing that it is not in fact, a dream he gasps. Did he really come back? Why did he come back? How is this even possible???

He startle at the sound of the door creaking open. The man behind it immediately lock eyes with him making him flinch. The man has the same blond hair- maybe a bit less vibrant than him, his eyes a mute shade of olive, a color that Dream had seen several time before, almost always filled with sorrow back then-

Standing before him is Philza Minecraft, the Duke of the Heart Cove territory, and the head of the Minecraft household.

Dream's uncle.

Without even any second thought, Dream jumps from the bed to run towards him.

He forgot, what his condition was at this current part of the timeline. Why he felt the same pain from when he was lying in the middle of the road five minutes ago. His legs gave out after the second step. 

"Dream!"

Fortunately, the duke was fast enough and was able to catch him.

Embracing his uncle broke something in Dream… like a final straw that confirms any doubts he had before.

With a sob he tightened his grasp on Phil, tears falling from his eyes, soaking up the older's sleeves.

Phil being the ever-gentle and loving father that he is- just holds the boy tighter. Dream had just lost his parents from an ambush from a still-unknown group, him being the only survivor from the tragedy. So when he opens the door and sees the young teen barrel towards him, his first reaction is to hold the boy and embrace him as a form of comfort.

Dream, in a moment of extreme emotion weakly calls out "D-dad-" 

Phil misunderstood this as him asking for his late father. "Oh, mate, I'm sorry but… Emdy and Marcita…they- they were not able to make it…"

Dream sobbed harder, finally remembering the events prior to him waking up,

ah, Phil must have thought he was looking for his real parents. Of course, Dream already knows and accepts that his parents are dead. He had the time to grieve for them, He even knows who has put the order to have them killed. If anything else, he was grateful that he didn't have to meet them alive, knowing what fate is awaits them.

That is not the main source of his distress, but is instead the regret he has for all the things he has done towards this family…What he had done to Phil, who did nothing but try to be Dream's second father.

They stayed like that for what Dream felt like hours before he pulled away from his uncle. "M'sorry…" 

Phil tilted his head, confused "What are you sorry for mate?".

Dream looks away, Yeah, what is he sorry for? For betraying the family that kindly took him in? For causing so many deaths? For blindly following the twisted plans of a deranged prince? "for crying-"

Phil pulled him again in a tight embrace, "Mate, you don't have to be sorry for that, you just lost your parents, you have every right to grieve-"

No, I don't, Dream bitterly thought to himself. I've done so many cruel things that can't even be forgiven by any imperial pardon out there.

Deciding that he had enough time sulking, he excuses himself "I-I want to rest.- is that okay?"

"Of course, mate."

Phil helps Dream back to his bed before leaving. Dream counts for ten seconds. Then he grabs a pillow to scream on it.

He doesn't know how or why he is sent back, he has a lot of question, mainly for whoever decided that putting him in this whole...situtation is a great idea, but he can set that aside. Aside ffrom the many things that his mind is trying to grasps, there is one thing that he is definitely sure of:

He's not gonna live the same life twice

Chapter Text

It took Dream about two rounds of the 5 stages of grief, at least 2 twitter threads worth of ranting and screaming, and 3 motivational 'just do it' speeches before he was able to fully accept and comprehend his situation.

Right now he's thinking ablut three things:

One, his memories are a jumbled mess, He needs something that can help him at least document his thoughts.

Two, his injuries are still not fully healed yet, and he's one hundred percent sure that he'll immediately faceplant on the floor if he tries to walk out again.

And lastly, He'd frankly rather die than ask for a servant to help him.

Slowly but surely, he scooted over to the study table beside his bed. Usually, every room has some stationary lying around, and he was hoping to find some leftovers in any of the drawers.

Fortunately, there is.

Previous timeline

[Right now, as in date-wise is when the assassins killed Dream's parents.]

> Starting point: after the attack, age- 13

[So now, Dream has to think of who he is so far.]

> Dream Minecraft-Daylight, son of Marquess Emdy Daylight and Marcita Minecraft.

[Dream sighs, he was the rightful heir of the Daylight March. But he's been so appalled by the blatant corruption of the people who are supposed to watch over the March after the couple died that he decided to wipe everyone out instead]

X MAJOR POINT: The Daylight March is currently descending into chaos, make a plan on how to PROPERLY take over. 

 >Ask help from Phil?

[Hmm, what else? OH!]

• Powers (???) started manifesting a few weeks before the attack

[Just some weeks ago, the first sign of Dream's abilities had just started showing when a book he was holding just disappeared into thin air. Turns out he was able to hide and recall small objects, it's called spatial magic if he recalls. Which, now that Dream thought about it, sounds a lot like inventories in video games…]

• Research more about it?

[Dream doesn't really know much about it honestly, back then, he's been hellbent on trying to "fix things" that he never bothered to learn how anything works. He only focused on the dark magic bit, which is only composed of murder and resurrecting the murdered as his own sol- as a soldier to the Prince's army]

• MAJOR POINT 2: The Red Banquet

[Dream winced, he remembered the event that kick-sarted his psychopathic career. The Red Banquet was a gathering organized by the factions from the imperial family as a trap to 'take care of the hostile parties', this included the Minecraft household as the Duke is not exactly fond of how most of the royals run the kingdom.

Dream scowls, that event was organized by none other than his "sponsor"]

> PRINCE CORNELIOUS:

• • 2nd Prince of the Esempii Kingdom 

  • Number 1 Enemy

  • AVOID HIM FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE

  • Will do any means necessary to have the throne, even as far as committing mass amounts of crimes against his own kingdom.

  • Ended up snatching the throne from the crown prince because of this

[Dream snarled, oh, how foolish was he to follow this man's deceitful promises of fake peace. He couldn't even begin to describe the hatred he feels towards the prince…But he knew he couldn't put all the blame on him. Because Dream should've known better. It was too late when he realized that he could have had enough power to overpower the prince had he just made the right choices-

The internal conflict aside, he knows that this man is one of the major hurdles that he has to get rid of in the future. Techno's anarchy campaign is starting to sound really appealing right now.

Speaking of Techno...]

•Minecraft Family

• • Avoid them? Ask for help? Would they even believe me?

• Wilbur: 17, Mage- ventured to travelling, disappeared for several years.

[Like him, Wilbur is also a destined heir of the family. Unlike him, Wil was more passionate and willing for the position. Until the pressure got to him and made him descend into madness. The red banquet being his breaking point as well.

In the end, he teamed up with Dream to blow up a good chunk of the kingdom, a twisted part of him wishes that Wilbur never came back from his travels- then maybe that could have saved everyone else.]

• Technoblade: 17, Became the Kingdom's best swordsman. 

• Led a campaign against the crown prince.

[Techno is the second son of the Minecrafts, and if Dream is being honest, he thinks he would've been close to the pinkette if he wasn't so busy being a deranged murderer. He reminds him of Clae's best friend, Dave... but unlike his friend who became a successful writer, Techno ends up dying in the hands of the government that he had grown to hate.]

• These- Tommy, 6 youngest of the siblings The hero that ends all of this madness.

[Dream smiles sadly, again, if he wasn't so blinded by his twisted ways, then maybe, Tommy would have experienced a better childhood

Maybe the four of them could have enjoyed their time growing up together.]

• Philza Minecraft

• • Duke of the Heart Cove territory

  • Dukedom is practically autonomous from the Kingdom

[He didn't even do anything wrong, he was just fighting for the injustice and cruelty that the royals and other nobles were committing against the common people. Dream can't even imagine the amount of heartbreak this man went through.

And how much was that was his doing.

Phil is a man with a strong sense of justice, and his desire is just as strong in terms of getting rid of the corruption and cruelty done by the royals, this is the reason why he supported the cause of the previous crown prince. Maybe, if he will be able to round up the people back at the Daylight March...]

• CROWN PRINCE:
  
  • The only royal who actually cares for the people.
  • Is having a hard time gathering support aside from Phil
  • Maybe join hands with him?

[Honestly, Dream never really remembered the name of the crown prince, he was known to keep a low profile who moves in the shadows due to his low amount of support, maybe in this life Dream can offer his help.

Maybe together, they can overthrow the prince before he brings about unspeakable destruction.]

An hour or two passed and Dream stared at the pieces of paper scattered all over the table, some on the floor. He groaned, there's so much that happened and he didn't even know where to begin to untangle this mess.

At this point, he's barely a teen with little to no resources at all, and it feels like all these events are about to happen all at once.

It's okay he breath. I have time.

Glancing at the papers once again, he sighs and gathers them into a neat pile, taking a deep breath he concentrates, trying to remember how to use his ability. 

He's hoping to at least do just this much.

Thankfully, a faint green glow surrounds his hands and the papers, making the stack disappear to whatever space his stuff goes to. Good, he has enough mana and skill to summon and recall items.

And it seems like it's a good call because right after, someone knocks at the door. He swerved from his chair, wincing a bit because his wounds have yet to heal completely.

"Y-yes?"

"Young lord? I've been sent to bring you dinner."

"O-oh...' Dream glanced at the window, it's already dark outside, he didn't notice the time 'the door is not locked, you may enter…" 

(He's gonna take some time getting used to having servants again…)

His eyes widened when the door reveals a familiar face. Platinum shade hair and silver eyes. Hubert, the only servant who stayed by Dream's side, despite the things he had done.

"You remind me of my previous master." Was the only reason he said.

The butler locked eyes with Dream, who was still sitting on the chair. "What are you doing there young lord?"

"Uhh I was watching the sunset, I- can you help me to my bed?"

He smiles and placed the tray of food on the bedside table to help Dream sit on the bed instead of the chair, he then set the food on a bed tray so that Dream can eat from the comforts of his bed.

"Thank you- H-uhhh." Dream stops himself before he can say the full word, the butler would find it weird that this young kid that he never talked to knows his name.

"You can call me Hubert, yound lord."

"H-hubert."

"Well, your grace, I'll return later for your plate."

Half an hour passes, and Hubert figures that it was time to fetch the plates from Dream's room.

The scene he sees makes him smile fondly.

The kid is passed out on his bed, and his plates and the tray are neatly fixed on the bedside.

"He must be tired, I felt him use his mana when he approached the door awhile ago. Did you notice? He almost slipped and called my name before I introduced myself."

While gathering the dishes on the tray, the shadows in the rooms shift to form a figure

"I still did not expect that you'd chose this instead of returning"

Hubert chuckled, "Well, the boy has a promising future…" He turns to the floating figure behind him. "Aw, come on, you can't pretend that you didn't become attached to the kid, Exdee."

"I'm not-"

"Well, okay, keep telling yourself that I guess."

The figure, Exdee, scoffs. 

" Just remember, this time you have to go back after you die."

Hubert stared at the boy, he shifts, and Hubert smirks.

"Well I guess I better make it count then."

Chapter Text

For the next several days, Dream spends the time to heal his wounds and adjust to his (new?) life. Phil always visited him, always reassuring and comforting his nephew. Dream takes advantage of this and cries his heart out clutching the Duke's robes and sobbing his heart out.

(Well, for his parents- yes, but also for some other reason than that, mostly concerning some past tyrannical ruling, no biggie-)

Hubert, the ever-patient butler that he is, tells Dream how most of the things in the manor work, (something that Dream is really grateful for, considering how he's been living on a scuffed dorm for most of his life, just getting himself thrown across the multiverse to suddenly live on some castle-like manor overnight is a very overwhelming thing. He wasn't exactly a paragon of a noble in his first life.) He would also accompany Dream most of the time.

Dream knows that Phil is trying to limit the people who are interacting with him, probably so that he won't get overwhelmed with dealing with the aftermath of the assassination.

And Dream appreciates that- at least that bought him some time to get used to the noble life again.

But he knows that this leeway would run out soon enough.

He would sooner or later have to talk to the other people of the manor- and of the dukedom as well. And other people include the Minecraft Siblings.

A knock on the door distracts him from his thoughts, he hears his uncle calls his name from the other side. He answers with a nervous "Y-yeah?" and sits up while proping the pillow behind him to lean back on.

Phil slowly opened the door and smiles at the blond, he sits at the edge of Dream's bed. "Hello mate, how are you feeling?"

"Um, I'm much better, most of my injuries are healed by now."

The duke smiles again, "that's great."

An awkward silence follows, it's as if Phil wants to still follow up with something but is struggling to say it-

"I was wondering if you could at least join us tonight?"

And it looks like 'sooner or later' means 'now' Dream gulps. "I don't want to impose-"

Phil's shoulder tenses "Mate, you could never- look, you are my sister's son, she is my family, so is her husband, and by default that ought to also apply to you, you're part of our family Dream-"

Family…

To that Dream internally disagrees.

I don't deserve such a thing.

He just prompted to feign understanding "I-i, okay."

So here he is now, standing in front of the door, right behind it is the very family that he had betrayed and hurt…

Dream doesn't want to face them yet,

He doesn't know if he can prevent himself from groveling in front of them to ask for forgiveness.

Phil's voice calls him out of his thoughts, "Are you ready mate?" Dream hesitantly nods.

The doors open- 

And the first thing that he sees is a mop of yellow blur barreling towards him.

After that, the ceiling.

Oh, he fell…

"Tommy!" 

Dream groaned, and the weight above him shifts, directly pressing against one of his wounds.

Now, if he was the past Dream, then he wouldn't even flinch- But he's not the past Dream, and is currently a child. And before he can stop it, he whines.

Suddenly, the weight above him is lifted, and he hears Phil's voice "I told you not to go throwing yourself at the door every time it opens-"

Dream tries to sit up, putting a hand on his forehead to try and stop the sudden headache that the fall brought.

"Sorry about the gremlin, he's got too much energy, even for a child-"

Dream's head snapped up towards the voice.

Standing over him, is Wilbur, whose right hand is reached out towards Dream.

Dream stares at the hand.

Oh, he's trying to help Dream stand up.

Dream takes the hand and uses that as leverage to stand with the help of the taller pulling him up.

He murmured a 'thanks' and looks up.

And lo and behold, in front of him are the Minecraft Children.

Wilbur looks at him with that signature charming smile of his. A smile that not long after turned into a deranged and sinister grin as the years went by.

Wilbur turns to the ypungest child that he is  now suddenly carrying "Tommy say sorry-"

Tommy pouts, refusing to look directly at him "m'sorry…"

Dream curled into himself, "It's fine"

Syddenly all guilt disappears and he beams at him. His Tommy would never smile at him like that, the best he'd get is a glare full of hatred and betrayal.

And lastly, peeking from behind Wilbur is Technoblade. His hair is still the same shade of brown as Wilbur's. Oh yeah, Techno didn't dye his hair until they were around twenty to twenty-one… When he didn't wish to associate himself with his twin who betrayed all of them, just like Dream.

If his memory and notes are correct, the 'twins' should be around 17 years of age, just a year before they left for the academy. Frankly speaking, seeing the younger version of the people who are practically Dream's biggest enemies is throwing him off.

Wilbur is the first one to break the ice. "Hello, Dream! it's nice to see you again!"

Dream squeaks "H-hi."

"Are you gonna join us for dinner?"

"I-if you don't mind…"

Wilbur makes and offended noise, "Of course we don't! We'd be happy if you joined us!"

"Okay."

Dinner was a chill and nice affair. Phil listens and laughs as Wilbur and Tommy go on an animated talk about their day, Technoblade quietly picks on his food while quipping some remarks from time to time, and Dream just silently listens to everything. When dinner finished, the trio offered Dream to walk him to his room. They probably wanted to spend time with him to help him cope with losing his parents or something.

It's a sweet gesture, Dream really appreciates that the boys are trying to help him in their own way. Not that he deserves the help…

Their caring and considerate personalities weren't far off from Dream's first life, He remembers back in the past, he tried to be as standoffish and aloof as possible, they tried their best to reach out to him, to help him. But eventually, they gave up, letting him be his own downfall.

Not that he minds- He'd also just let go of himself if he were them.

But right now, after possessing the body of a cheerful young teen who seemed to sees the best out of everyone and returning back, Dream is starting to see the trio in a different and positive light. How come he only noticed now?  Have they always been this cheerful and jolly? Even Technoblade has that air of childish energy around him despite his quiet demeanor. Does Dream have a chance to join them this time?

Dream did not really have an answer to that even as his eyes grow heavy from sleepiness. But there's one thing he's certainly sure of as he finally shuts his eyes shut.

There is no way he'll let the past happen again, not if he can help it.

Dream should have known he'd jinx that…

It had been more or less three weeks since Dream started staying on the Minecraft Dukedom. Most of the time he'd just stay in his room only to occasionally go out to breathe some fresh air or stretch his legs with a walk.  He'd sometimes run into one of the members of the family and he'd promptly bluescreens not knowing how to interact with them. Most of the time he just ended up awkwardly leaving or running away…

Today, it's one of those rare days that he went out, specifically to the library to get some books, and Technoblade was already sitting there reading books as usual. An uncomfortable amount of eye contact and an awkward exchange of conversation later, Dream returns to his room with some of the books that he borrowed from the library.

He opens the book. It's about the basics and fundamental principles of magic. He feels an odd sense of nostalgia going through the same texts once again.

Elemental magic is the most basic magic that almost everyone has, like, if it's in terms of life skills, it's like learning reading and writing, anyone can use or have it, as long as you are willing to learn, and would come across as second nature as one develops their skill throughout time.

An easy start, the basic essence of his magic is a mix of dark and light attribute. He was well versed with the dark part, using the shadows as his main mode of transport. Maybe he can explore the light attribute this time.

Familial magic is the magic that is exclusive to family lineage and genealogy, though, it's more of a trait instead of skills.

Dream recalls how the Minecrafts seemed to always have that charming aura around them, and how the Schlatts are more resistant to any toxic substances. Most noble families are labelled and known by their magic.

Vocational magic is the general term used to describe most magic that is learned and taught in an academic setting.

Dream's eyes widened as he read through the descriptions, (huh it's like picking electives or courses then.)

What surprises him even more is that on the list of all the different vocations, he comes across a particular term.

Technological Magic

Granted that the description says that it has just been established and is therefore just in its early stages, but it's there.

Somehow, both words seem to be polar opposites of each other, and Dream had to do a double take thrice just to make sure he was not misreading the words.

Huh… is that this world's version of computer science or something.

Now that Dream pays closer attention to the pages, vocational magic is literally every occupation just slapped on with magic-

He starts to notice how similar his world is to Earth.

Dream winced when he read the last type:

Forbidden Magic

Ironically, it's the one he's mostly familiar with…

Forbidden or dark magic is still a vast category that it's a subtype of magic on its own, like the name suggests, most of these are the questionable types of magic that are frowned upon by everyone.

Of course, Dream doesn't need to read books to know that necromancy is one of them.

He huffs, looking away from the book. His eyes drifted towards the potted plant placed on the corner of his desk.

Was that plant always been there?

He walked towards it, it seemed to be a flowering plant, though he was not sure what it was exactly since it was already on the verge of wilting away. Well, maybe he can still save it- and he can start by providing more sunlight. After carefully lifting the pot from the desk, he then slowly walks towards the window, and gently places the pot by the window sill- angling the pot towards the perfect amount of sunlight.

Dream smiles sadly, even as a child he is still surrounded by death.

He gently held a leaf, one that still had bits of green on it…

He snickered.

Would it be funny if I actually retained my powers from before?

And as if like a miracle- (or just cruel irony if you ask Dream) green and black light slowly emits from Dream's fingers which then immediately bursts into a blinding flash. 

Dream quickly looked away to avoid burning his eyeballs, and after he blinked away some of the light that clung to his vision, he looked at the plant again. In place of a the barely living mass of leaves and twigs, he was met by the sight of a fully green and very much alive and blooming plant.

Dream facepalms (actually this is not even close to being funny, I take it all back-).

YOOOO FINALLY FREEDOM || Ffffff- || OI! LANGUAGE!!! || Not in front of the child! || - fffricking at last- || YOOO hello green boiiii! || Sir, do you have any idea what it feels life to be muted? As a disembodied voice? You've practically killed us good sir-

Dream picked up only one word from the barage of voices "k-killed"???!!

Oops, That was not the correct thing to say-

Why are they here?????

No please- he hasn't done anything yet- he was supposed to turn things around- why couldn't he breathe- they're back to haunt him again why- nono nono-

Yall, not to alarm everyone, but the child is panicking- || Dream noo deep breaths kiddo || uh oh-|| Dreamie, please calm down :(

The last thing Dream saw and heard was a blur of white and a voice calling to him.

Chapter Text

Hello?

Hello

Who are you?

I think you know the answer to that.

Not really, seeing as you're some disembodied voice.

Ever the witty one are you? 

Thanks, I try to my best-

Well, I'll give you a hint-

Oh joy-

-you, in the most simplest sense continued on with what I can only describe as my save file.

Wow, you sound so much more like a nerd than I do-

Wait...CLAY?!

Bonjour-

DON'T YOU GO "BONJOUR-" ON ME WHAT THE HECK-

uuuuh hi?

Wha- WHAT DO YOU MEAN "HI???" WHY DON'T YA JUST PULL OUT SOME SNACKS AS WELL AND THEN WE CAN CASUALLY CATCH UP LIKE THE BESTIES WE ARE-

Wow, not even I was that sassy, sheesh, chill-

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO CHILL???

Well, fair-

…

Are you good?

…Not really-

What stage are you in?

Depression- but I'm about to make a detour to anger again-

I- yeah, that's fair

Why now? If you could've called me then why did you wait for me to go back just to talk?

Well- it's complicated-

Your life's about to get complicated by the time I find a way to tangibly touch you and punch yo-

…Wow… dang-

Then, what's the purpose of you talking to me now?

Well, there are just some things that I want to tell you…

If it's about the great manhunt incident of 21, then Kyle started it-

The great what?

Oh, it's not that-

Wh- no, it's not, and hold on, the great manhunt incident- what have you been doing while on Earth-

Definitely not 19 consecutive war crimes-

You are a menace-

Hey, I'm the one suffering here, at least give me the freedom to make my own amusement.

I-wha-how- you know what, nevermind, however, speaking of suffering-

Oh no

You do realize that, despite the knowledge of the future, you're- at some level, is allowed to at least enjoy being a child again right?

-NO I'M NOT!

… take your time

Sorry…

Look, I get it, you hate what you have become, and you regret the deeds that you have done, but- the thing is the fact that you have already shown regret and are willing to change history is already more than enough to turn all this upside down, you don't have to punish yourself further like this-

Easy for you to say, you never had to go through agony like I did.

We both know that's not true.

…

Then how about this, live for the both of us.

What-

-you know how I have lived before I moved to that crappy dorm. Dream, I was an orphan like you-

It is a miracle that you're the best of friends with Dave-

-shut it- what my point is unlike you, I didn't have someone to lean on for the longest of time.

But you still became a great person-

Well, yeah, sure but, you have no idea how much I've longed for a family like yours?

They're not my family- at least I'm not theirs…

See, you're the only one who thinks that-

But it's true-

Child, you yourself admitted that you know that they are trying to reach out to you, do you really think you'll change anything without turning yourself around first?

I-

Come on, treat it as if you're living for the both of us yeah? After all, I have been yearning for some decent childhood-

'Decent' is not really what I call it-

Shush, you know what I mean- oh, I guess my time is up… you gotta wake up buddy.

Wait what-

Oh, and try to get along with the voices- they actually want to give you a second chance as well- so be prepared to be scolded by a chorus for every angst moment you'll have-

HUHHH????

I can't stay any longer so bye-take care yourself or I will personally throttle you, you little-

Dream woke up with a gasp-

He shot up from the bed and was abruptly stopped by a hand holding him down.

A voice gently called out to him, and though he couldn't recognize them, he knew he was safe. They guided his hand to their chest, he could feel the other person's lung expanding and contracting, he slowly copied it until the fog in his head was slowly lifted.

He took several more breaths as the voice instructed him to.

"-and exhale slowly- there you go, young lord-"

Dream finally looked up and recognized the person with him.

Hubert

The butler smiled gently at him. "You gave us quite a scare, young master, when we entered your room you were passed out on the floor, to say that lord Wilbur and Tommy were worried is an understatement."

Dream blinked,

Wait what- 

Hubert stood up, "I'll fetch a glass of water for you, I'm guessing that you'd rather have your dinner here then?"

Dream swallowed, "Yes please."

Hubert chuckled, "Young master, saying "please" is not really that necessary…"

Well excuse you that Dream had decent manners- if he appreciates that one cashier who helped him with his groceries that one time, then what more for the butler that is his only literal handbook on this  place-

Hubert bowed and left.

Ya'll he's gone

Dream's breath hitched again-

Oh no you don't young man-

Oi, green boi- llisten to us before you pull a sleeping beauty on us again-

Yeah, that wasn't really pogchamp of you-

Dream's running thoughts stepped the brakes on that one

Wait- 

'POGCHAMP???'

ʏᴇᴀʜ, ᴡᴇ'ʀᴇ Qᴜɪᴛᴇ ᴄᴜʟᴛᴜʀᴇᴅ ᴀꜱ ᴡᴇʟʟ ʏᴀ ᴋɴᴏᴡ, ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴋɴᴏᴡꜱ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴏɢ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀɪɴ-

Oh yeah, we're quiet cultured as well ya know, you're not the only one who knows how to pog tru the pain-

Wait- wait wait- are you guys still the same voices? Ya know…

The one you murdered and resurrected two lifetimes ago? Yeah, that's us

wh- how come you guys are more chill than me then-

Cause it was in the past??

Yeah, we chilling for now

Oi, don't speak for the rest of us

W-what?

Dream is now outright confused and scared.

What is happening-

『 **clink!**』

A simple noise erupted in his head.

A suspiciously familiar noise.

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

Dream, before we go on,
you need to take a big breath
so that you can actually
comprehend what we are
saying

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

The voice after the chime he heard seemed to speak more clearly and louder than the several ones that were muttering to him.

It's like they have gained priority...

And it seemed successful in gaining Dream's attention since he actually was able to concentrate and collect himself.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Silence…

It feels like the voices also quieted down to help him concentrate.

『 **clink!**』

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

Are you calm now?

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

Dream still flinched a bit but he nodded, "Yeah, I think so?"

『 **clink!**』

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

Good, so let me take you
through properly,
You are right, we are 
the voices that have been
with you during the latter
part of you...
conquest

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

Dream whimpered

『 **clink!**』

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

But we, or atleast most of us
have agreed that you are not
the root problem of this all
and that you suffered enough
to warrant forgiveness

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

"BUT WHY?!" Dream couldn't help but yell.

How could they forgive him?! With all the crimes and agony he has inflicted upon countless people-

ʙᴜᴛ ᴄᴏɴꜱɪᴅᴇʀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ꜱɪʀ- ᴡᴇ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴜʀɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ-ᴄᴏʀᴇ ᴀʀᴄ-

But consider- we were with you during your college-core arc-

Dream chokes on air on that-

My what-now arc?!!

『 **clink!**』

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

What they meant by that is
your life as Clay

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

That took Dream approximately ten seconds to process…

Take your time dear...

Lmao, Dream.exe has stopped working

Never thought I'd see someone bluescreen physically-

Wait- so let Dream get this straight-

When he transmigrated as Clay, the voices was with him-

They watched his entire career…

Without him knowing.

Then that means

"You guys saw that one oreo war thing!-"

…

Of course that's the first thing you realize-

For a good reason!!

I still shiver when I remember that-

Seriously, how much oreo can a person inhale, sheesh

Huh…

So it wasn't really just some fever dream…

Unfortunately, yes, it did happen

We wouldn't be able to make up a story as absurd as that

Well, at least now he knows to not speedrun a whole bottle of-

WAIT HE'S GETTING OFF TRACK-

Where was he again?

The voices that are meant to haunt you with your pass?

Ah, yes, thank you disembodied voice-

WAIT NO-

『 **clink!**』

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

Dreamie, calm down

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

HE IS CALM!!!

oh, sorry about that…

It's okay fam

If I was yeeted across lifettimes, I'd be freaking out to ya know

Take your time

He plopped back down on the bed face-down and smothered the pillow while screaming as loud his 13 year old lungs can endure.

Mmm, that's rough buddy-

You'll get used to it

We are now stuck together it seems...

『 **clink!**』

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

Well, if it matters,
there are several people
who are still uncertain
around you

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

At hearing that, Dream perks up

Oi!

Stop being mean!

It wasn't being mean, if anything else, you guys are the ones making the poor kid overthink-

yeah, let the brat work for his redemption

You lot can't just say that everything is okay just because he lived a different life

It's different here-

Then give him a chance-

That's why we're quietly watching aren't we? But the most of you just thought it'll be a GREAT idea to overwhelm the kid with the "omg past is past" things you're going on about.

Now, this might come as a shocker… 

But this part of the voices gave Dream more comfort than the previous ones…

Maybe because they recognize his crimes but are still giving him a chance...

That's much better than entirely throwing out his crimes and turning a blind eye...

『 **clink!**』
┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

Well kid, Just remember 
that there are still
a number of us that
are still weary of you, but 
we are still willing to 
give you a second chance-

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

Dream buried his face back on the pillow, "That's already too much kindness, I don't think I deserve that-"

『 **clink!**』

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

Hey, if some divine force
or being decided to give
you another shot
at this, then who are
we to deny that from you?

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

『 **clink!**』

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

But just so you know, 
you're on thin ice kid

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

Dream smiled, he couldn't help but be grateful for the voices- maybe it wasn't bad to be with them this time

Chapter Text

It has been more or less two months since Dream has stayed over with Minecrafts.

At some point Philza asked him if he'd rather move to the Daylight march.

He immediately refuses and almost begs the duke to not ever send him there.

It's not hard to recognize the concern in Philza's eyes as he assures Dream that he won't if that's what he wants.

But Dream would rather reveal his scuffed origins than go back to the family that had a big contribution to his insanity-

He'll topple the corrupt system, when he has enough power.

But not now. Not yet.

Technoblade is not really a fan of socializing…

So why the heck is he eavesdropping on his cousin's room-

Okay, that sounded weird out of context.

It started off when he accidentally heard Dream ranting in his room. 

He just finished reading in the library and was on his way to his shared room with his brothers to maybe just lie down or something, maybe hang out with Wilbur and Tommy on whatever shenanigans they were up to.

But then he passes by Dream's door.

"-It's so cool!!!"

He looked back at the door, it was slightly ajar so his younger cousin's voice was a bit clearer from the other side.

"-like that was one of the best plots I've ever read, the character's dynamics are so good- prime, the build-up even, I didn't even predict that- and the details- the one where the protagonist-"

Techno didn't even notice that he had been eavesdropping on Dream and his ramblings for half an hour now-

And when Dream started comparing the story to some mythologies that Technoblade definitely had never heard of- his curiosity and interest increased tenfold-

So much so that he tried to get closer and the door slightly swung and creaked.

Someone, please bury him alive.

Dream flinched and turned his head towards the door, his eyes immediately snapping up to Techno's blue ones.

He squeaks and backs away slowly. Techno frowns.

Why is he covering his mouth?

Now, Techno would have just left and maybe talked to the younger person next time, but he literally looked like he wanted to run and disappear.

He looked just like Techno when he was younger.

See, Techno was not a biological son of the duke-

All his life, he never really knew who his real parents were. Just that they sold him to the duke as a slave of some sort as a last-ditch effort to pay their debts. So imagine their surprise when Phil adopts him as his own son instead.

Point is, Techno knows what it feels like to not belong…

But Wil, Tommy, and Phil never gave up on him, they patiently coaxed him to be a part of the family.

And Techno wants Dream to eventually feel that way.

And the blond being such a nerd in his own ways makes it easier for Techno he guesses…

Oh, what was happening again?

Oh, yeah- scared orphan in front of him…

He awkwardly shuffled, "Hey…"

Dream looked at him warily, he rubbed the back of his neck "Sorry for eavesdropping on ya, you looked like you were enjoyin your little rant, I didn't really know how or when to interrupt you-"

"I'm sorry- have I been too loud-"

"No!" Techno cringed at how he abruptly interrupted Dream-

"I mean- uh, yeah sure you're loud, I wouldn't hear you if you're not- but that doesn't necessarily mean a bad thing- ya know I usually talk at my plants on how Squid's garden is so inferior to mine- wait I'm getting off track here, what are we talking about-"

Dream seemed to unwind a little, maybe the awkwardness is actually helping to make Techno look less threatening-

Techno sighed, "It's just that no one really had the same interest as mine when it comes to books, sure, Wil, enjoys some philosophies and politics then and there, but he doesn't usually indulge in novels and mythologies like I do-" he looked away embarrassed, "so I guess I got a bit excited hearing you happily talking about some book that you have read-"

Some of the tension leaves from Dream's shoulders. 

"O-oh, I- that's cool also that caught me off guard, but umm- uhh-"

While Dream struggles to come up with a response, Techno chuckled, "Well it would be nice if you come by and read in the library from time to time-"

The younger one furrowed his eyebrows, "I'll try…"

Techno turned to leave, but his eyes caught something lying on the bed. It was a book, oh- probably the one Dream was ranting about-"

Techno smirked, he looked at Dream again and said "Oh, and the villain turns out to be the hero's long-lost brother." Before quickly leaving for the hallway.

The muffled and hysterical "WHAT?" that came from the room already gives Techno the confirmation that he'll be seeing Dream in the library sooner than later.

The next time the blond talked to Techno, it was him ranting and huffing about how the older tricked him. 

It has now become a routine for the two to spend hours in the library just discussing and reading the countless novels and literature that the library has to offer.

Techno has to wonder though, where did Dream get all those novels that he was talking about.

✧✧✧

Wilbur doesn't really know how to interact with his cousin… 

Sure he knows how to talk, and all, in fact, he's great at it,

So why in the world is it so hard to socialize with Dream then???

Is it because he barely knows anything about the blond? No, striking up a conversation even with a complete stranger, is as easy as second nature to him, so even with just at least minimum knowledge he would grasp something and continue on from that.

Is it because of his situation? That he lost his parents? Well maybe, but the thing is, Wilbur somewhat knew the pain that the younger is feeling.

After all, he'd still smile sadly every time he pass by their mother's portrait.

What's making it frustrating is that Wil knows that he knows how to comfort Dream.

It's just that every time he approaches the blond he always-

Oh

Oh

That's why.

Techno snickered from his side as he finally paused his rant.

"You finally figured it out, congratulations."

Wilbur glared at his brother who is currently putting his violin away.

"How are you so nonchalant about this? Don't you also at least make him feel better?"

Techno chuckled as he placed his violin case back on the shelf before grabbing a book, he made a beeline towards the door,probably go to the library again.

"Well, unlike you, I am faring better-. Now if you excuse me' he opens the door, and before he steps out he turns smugly towards Wilbur. 'I promised my favorite cousin that we'll spend the afternoon talking about the latest novel we just read."

Wilbur's mind caught on as the door clicked shut.

Wait 

WHAT??!

That night Wilbur kept pestering the other brunette on how he got Dream to talk to him because he's not gonna let his twin get ahead of him. Now don't get him wrong, he loves his brother and is happy that he's found a friend aside from his brothers.

What he can't accept tho, is that Techno was able to one-up him socially.

Socializing and being friends should be Wilbur's forte, and he does not want to lag behind any longer.

An hour of bribing and whining later, Techno finally relents and exasperatedly gives him a tip.

"Try to catch him while he's too busy with what he's doing, like- when he's too focused, then you corner him."

Wilbur stares at his twin, "Techno, what the f•••, you can't just corner someone into being friends."

The brunette shrugged, "I'm just as surprised as you, hey, I'm just tellin' you how I somehow got it, it was really awkward actually, but maybe you'll have a better approach than me, ya just gotta wait for the perfect opportunity."

And it turns out the opportunity will present itself earlier than Wilbur thought.

It was just a normal afternoon, Tommy and Techno were somewhere doing their thing, and Wilbur decided to take a stroll in the gardens. He goes straight to the main greenhouse, it's a slow day today, so he figures he'll just maybe sit down on the swing attached to the apple three that his father and brothers often go to just to play or lie down and rest. 

He paused the moment he stepped in…

He strains his ears as he hears the faint strumming of a guitar.

Huh, no one except him plays the instrument, Techno plays the violin, Tommy looks like he's leaning towards the piano, and Phil prefers painting and making sculpture as a hobby so it couldn't be him…

So that only leaves one other person…

Wilbur quietly approaches where the sound is coming from, coincidentally, it seems to be coming from the apple tree. 

He takes a route that is less noticeable than the main open path, hiding from the other bigger plants quietly so as to not startle the player.

It took him all his self-control to not coo loudly at the sight that greeted him.

Dream, sat under the apple tree meekly playing with what looked like one of Wilbur's old guitars, he did not mind,  But the guitar absolutely dwarfed Dream's small frame. He seems to be just playing with it with an absent look on his face.

Wilbur was about to step out but then Dream sighed. He starts playing what sounded like an actual chord.

Wilbur inhales sharply as the blond starts singing. 

Thought cycle gusty a mind filled with hot air

Must I care for nothing more than myself? Do I dare?

Admit the fraught thoughts cavorting? Resorting in inner-directed mourning

For the part of me that was selfless but left without a warning-

Wilbur furrows his eyebrows, Dream sounds like he's reciting and singing the lyrics at the same time.

Well, that's what I said, but maybe it's the fact that I detest

This obsession with myself that leaves a mess inside my head.

What bothers Wilbur more is the lyrics itself

Dream continues to sing, and Wilbur startles when he yells.

Is-is that part of the song?!

And the more Wilbur listens, the more he understands why…

Wilbur did not notice himself approaching until he stepped on a twig.

*Snap*

Someone, please bury him in a hole.

The younger abruptly stops his playing and twists his head so fast Wilbur worried the blond will snap his neck-

He slowly walked out, raising his arms to show he meant no harm. Dream looked like he wanted to bolt right now.

What's probably stopping him is the guitar he's holding, Wilbur felt slightly bad for taking advantage of that.

But then he remembers Techno being ahead of him.

He promptly threw all hesitation out of the window.

"Hey, Dream."

Said Dream trying to hide behind the guitar he was holding.

He smiled softly, sat down at the base of the tree, and held his hand out to the younger.

Dream narrowed his eyes and tilted his head, with a surprised "Oh!" he gave the guitar to the brunette. He steps back again, and while playing with his sleeves he quietly speaks.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have taken that- just wanted to"

"Hey,-" Wilbur gently cuts off Dream's rambling, '-It's okay, I don't mind, I've put this on the storage so that anyone can play with it." 

An awkward silence fills the air, but Wilbur refuses to be defeated, so he fills it in with the only thing he knows. He strums the guitar several times.

"Sit down with me? It's better when someone else is listening…"

The younger sat down reluctantly, Wilbur smiled.

Few more strums.

"That song, quite the words huh," he raised his eyebrow, Dream flinches.

"Someone taught that to me, It's the only song I know how to play."

Wilbur hummed "Do you know what the lyrics mean?"

The younger shrugs, "I know some,  not all tho, the words are too deep, but I do know that it's somehow a sad song…"

Wilbur smiles sadly, he does not know if that makes it better or worse.

"Well you're right about that- let's hope the person who wrote that is feeling better now ye?"

Dream nods "I hope so, he was a wandering traveler who stayed in our house for a while… I don't know where he is now…"

He strums the guitar a few more times, debating on whether he should sing it or not."

Ah, you know what, screw it-

"I think this time I'm dying-"

"I'm not melodramatic-"

Wilbur continues to sing, he let the lyrics that he wrote easily fall on his lips as he sang the words he had put together some time ago. From his peripheral vision, he can see that Dream is transfixed by his singing and or playing. And when he finishes after the last strum, he smiles back to the younger, "Cool right? I wrote that one."

Dream frowns "That also sounds sad though…"

The brunette chuckled, "It is? Isn't it, well usually people express their emotions through other forms when they can't express it with words."

Wilbur internally laughs at the image of Dream concentrating as he stares at the guitar as if it had personally offended him.

"Would you like to learn how to play the guitar?"

Dream startles as he looks up to his older cousin. "W-well…"

"If you want I can teach you, even if not, you can also hang here and we can just jam to the music while basking in the greenhouse or the garden…"

Dream fidgets with his fingers, Wilbur worries that he might have overstepped the line. "If you don't mind- then maybe I can-"

"Of course, I don't mind, it's not every time that Techno can keep me company, and Tommy is just too chaotic for a calm music session, It gets lonely sometimes."

The next time Wilbur sees Dream, it is when the blond nervously sits beside him on one of the garden flower fields, Wilbur plays as the younger just listens, the tension slowly pouring out of his frame the longer they bask in the melodies of the strings played by the older guitar.

The two can be seen in the gardens from time to time, sometimes with a pair of instruments, sometimes with just one, and the gardens are often filled with different melodies and notes, sometimes accompanied by the sweet voice of two boys singing together, sometimes even the mellow music can be heard, a third accompaniment of a violin that ties it all together.

✧✧✧

Tommy does not understand why his brothers kept on doting over a taller and greener version of himself…

Sure he gets that Dream needs to be cheered up since he lost his parents-

But why does it feel like they're hanging out with Dream more than Tommy?

If Dream is not in the library doing boring stuff with Techie, then he's somewhere in the garden playing music and stuff with Wilby.

Now, correct Tommy if he's wrong (which is never) but shouldn't Dream also play with him???

Like something something being the allies against the tyranny that is the older siblings or somewhere along those lines?

But noooo, the traitor dares to hang out with his older brothers instead.

And the prick had the gal to run away from him whenever he tried to approach him.

This is a serious offense against the biggest man ever.

"DREAM!" The older yelps as Tommy jumps on him in the sitting room.

And Tommy would have laughed if it wasn't for the taller blond bolting for the door.

"OH NO YOU DON'T-" he runs after him and slams his body against the door to prevent Dream from opening it.

Dream halts, he stares at Tommy like he committed some form of war crime.

"Hello, Dream." 

"Hello To-Tommy…"

"How's your day big man?"

"Ummm fine I guess-"

"Play with me"

"No."

Tommy gasps dramatically, the b••• doesn't even hesitate!

"Why not???"

"Um uh Wilbur said-"

"No, forget about that prick, I'm a better playmate!! You- we should be the ones closer you know- we gotta stand up against the cruelty of older brothers-"

"Stop trying to scam the nerd you gremlin."

The door behind Tommy is pulled open and he would've fallen down if he wasn't caught by Techno, the very culprit behind his fall.

"Let Dream be you little raccoon, I'm sure he'll play with you if he wants."

And while the older bickers with the child, Dream runs along the hall after he sneaks out the door. Tommy was about to call him out until his way was blocked by Techno's arm again.

"Don't force yourself on him kid, he's slowly getting out of his shell, hanging out with us, but if you force him to socialize and all, he might go hidin again-"

Tommy crosses his arms, "But- what if he never wants to-"

"Trust me, you'll have the chance to, just wait for that time okay?"

"Okay…"

The 'time' as it turns out for Tommy, would be one night when he was out for a midnight snack…

He doesn't know what time it is, but what he does know is that he's craving some of Niki's cookies, heck- even Bad's muffins would do.

So he scurries towards his kitchen, and on his way he hears muffled sobbing, he turns his head to where the source is, it's from one of the guest rooms.

And there's the only person he knows that is staying in the guest rooms, Dream.

He tiptoes to the door and presses his ears on it. 

Yup, that sounds like crying and sobbing alright…

He turns the doorknob, it's locked huh…

And after much careful deliberation, he decided that the best course of action is-

-to climb through the balcony and surprise the green b••• to tomorrow.

Operation scares the trauma out of his cousin is a go.

He enters one of the other bedrooms beside Dream's room. He unlocks and opens the glass as quietly as he can, steps out, and climbs over to the next one in Dream's room through the ledges. 

When he jumped over, he immediately ran to the closed door and knocked as silently and as noticeably as he could.

He snickers as he hears feet scrambling on the floor followed by the curtain being hurriedly opened to reveal the person on the other side. 

Lo and behold, Dream's face greets him and Tommy winces at the look of the blond's face, puffy and red eyes look back at him and he snickers for a bit when he sees how big Dream's eyes have widened. 

" To-tommy???"

Tommy grins, "Hello big man-"

And before he can say anything else, the older opens the door and pulls him inside.

"What are you doing outside Tommy?!" Dream hissed, Tommy shrugs, "Well, I couldn't sleep, so I was trying to get some goods to chew on."

Dream blinks, Tommy blinks back…

"I- then what are you doing outside on the balcony then?"

"I saw a squirrel." (Technically he did right before he stepped outside the door, so not a lie-)

Dream blinks again.

"You saw a squirrel."

"Yep."

Dream sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. 

"Alright, just go back to your room, preferably through the halls and not through windows and balconies please."

Tommy panics as Dream gently leads him to the door, he can't go out now, not without helping the green b•••••••- 

" Hey big D-"

"Wha-"

And as he catches the dirty blond off guard, he sprints off-

With Dream that he grabbed by the hand.

"Tommy! What are you-"

Slamming the door he shares with his brothers he screams.

"OI WAKE UP-"

The twins jolt up and glare at whoever wakes them up.

Wilbur glances at the clock and groans and chucks a pillow at the youngest, "Tommy, it's too early to be making this much noise-"

"Cuddle pile, now-"

That seemed to wake them up further.

Tommy rarely asks for a cuddle pile.

"Tommy wha-"

"Techno's bed. Cuddle pile. Now."

"Heh? Oh.., get in gremlin, and drag the nerd with you."

Wilbur startles at that "Eh? Ooooh I see, hi Dream-" said blond squeaks "I- what-"

"Come on nerd, Tommy asked for a cuddle pile, so we all cuddle till morning-"

"What! I don't-" 

"Well, if Tommy says you join the cuddle pile, then you join the cuddle pile."

"I needed a teddy bear, since I can't see henry- (he hid it so that his brothers won't come after it, after that one prank- so technically, he really can't see the said cow plush)" Tommy oh so sagely replies.

"But- I have my own room-"

"That's a guest room, and if you go back there, I'll personally commit arson on every guest room in this manor if you say no right now-" 

Dream stares in horror at Tommy's maniacal grin.

The other two snickers behind them, they were already sitting beside each other and were just waiting for Dream and Tommy. 

Wilbur's musing is the finishing blow that'll eventually make Dream give in.

"Just let the gremlin be Dream, if there's one thing I've learned as his older brother, is that he never made empty threats-"

Dream shudders, "Fine-"

Dream climbs up the bed and reluctantly lies down on the pillows, the twins place themselves on either side of him.

Tommy just straight-up flops on top of him.

Wilbur snorts, he and Techno pull up the sheets over all of them.

"Good night nerd"

"Good night Dream."

"GOOD NIGHT!!"

"Go-good night…"

And as the four of them slowly drift to sleep, they all unknowingly engraved their relationship into stone.

Family

Chapter Text

The morning after, Phil almost upturned the whole manor upside down.

You can't really blame him, it was at dawn when he saw that the door to Dream's room was ajar and said room was empty, he was aout to wake every single staff member in the manor. Good thing he decided to check his son's room first before doing so.

After letting the tension go away, Phil let relief wash over him.

And isn't that a beautiful sight to behold-

All four children are huddled in Techno's bed, both Wilbur and Techno's arms are placed over the two younger ones, Tommy has Dream practically in a bear hug while Dream also has his arms around the younger albeit a little bit less aggressively. He chuckles softly, it's still a bit early so he quietly closes the door and moves on with his routine.

Now, if Dream's going to be honest, he doesn't really know what to feel with the recent development of events. It has been a week since Tommy decided to kidnap him to their room. And it only took him a week before he relented to his cousins who had been nagging at him to permanently transfer to their room.

Wilbur would often talk to Dream like some car insurance person and list down to him about the pros- well, just the pros, not cons of rooming in with them. Which- does have some compelling points, but not enough to convince Dream. Technoblade just straight up bullies him "Imagine being homeless, what an L-" and as much as Dream wants to smack the older, he just lets it be, no he's not gonna let this get to him, he's literally living with them, he's not homeless- Everything was tolerable and Dream was sure he wouldn't break any time sooner.

Until Tommy decided to make his move.

He finally said yes after the room right beside his had been 'mysteriously' caught on fire.

Tommy's innocent look that morning definitely looked like "this is a warning" and Dream's not gonna risk it, nope- 

Right now, he's watching the servants excitedly bringing over and fixing his stuff in the sibling's room. Since when did the servants become comfortable with him being around?

Awww, it's okay Dreamie

It's cause you're endearing

Look at this nerd being oblivious- imagine being oblivious, couldn't be me

L

L

Dream groans, ah, he forgot about the voices…

"Chat, I don't know what you guys are talking about half of the time."

He named them chat since it reminded him of twitch chat back at Earth

And also, they generate money-

They generate money-

He almost had a heart attack when he discovered several pieces of gold in his pocket after his first encounter 

Turns out the ‘twinkling’ noise that come up when a voice wants to get his attention when everyone is too loud, was them somehow giving out money in order to prioritize-

WAit-

ISN’T JUST THE EQUIVALENT OF ONLINE DONATIONS????!

Im surprised how long it took you to realize that considering how you made the livestream chatting comparison...

well, no one can really be skilled at everything...

Seriously tho- how did that fly over your head?

For the umpteenth time Dream groans, shut up chat, leave me be in my misery-

But if you ask Dream, things are actually not as stressful as he thought they would be, getting closer to the Minecraft siblings is actually not as agonizing as he expected.

Oy, don't speak like you actually did something, they all initiated talking to you, if it weren't for us screaming at you to talk, you would be sulking in your room until now

Dream huffed, he can’t really argue with that.

Techno did the strategic “spoiler” tactic. (the moment he realized and went to rant to the older chat yelled at him that there’s no going back) He’s aware that Wilbur took advantage of him holding the guitar. (and it’s kinda hard to ignore a thousand voices screaming at you not to drop the thing.) Tommy, was just being Tommy, (chat didn’t even do anything but laugh at his misery.

But there’s one other person he still hadn’t really gotten closer to…
And out of spite, he’s gonna be the first one to reach out

“Mate, would you mind if you have some tea with me?”

NO- stop laughing chat-

Dream made a sound of confusion, Phil chuckled softly.

“Well, it would be nice to have some company when I’m working, Techno and Wilbur used to just sit in my study before, though as you can see, nothing can stop Tommy and his chaotic energy, so their time of stay here became less and less frequent, it’s okay if you don’t want to I’m just giving out the offer-” before the duke can continue, an attendant hastily runs to him to report something, Phil sighed, “well mate, I’ll just be on my office.”

Now, hear Dream out- 

He would love to just walk into his uncle's study and just plop down to bask in silence and the scent of freshly dried ink on paper.

But he cannot for the life of him bring himself to turn the dang knob-

Look at this child- L

Hey, maybe if you stare at it long enough maybe it'll melt

You can do it Dreamieee!

Bruh, how hard is it to open a door

Dream internally screams at chat, it's not like they're wrong, but still- 

"BIG D WHERE ARE YOU- LET'S COMMIT SOME CRIMES!!"

n o p e

He immediately opens the door and enters without any warning whatsoever slamming it behind him.

“Uhhhh-”

Gasping he locked eyes with his uncle.

“Dream, is everything okay-”

“DREAAAAAAM!!!”

Both of them flinched as a shriek of a certain gremlin passed by the hallways outside.

“Oh, pffft-” Phil laughed softly, immediately realizing what was happening. “It’s okay mate, you can stay here if you don’t want to deal with Tommy, his brothers will come for him soon enough.”

Dream fiddles with his short, “I’m sorry for intruding-”.

Phil shook his head, “Not at all kiddo, I did say you can come here anytime, go on, read a book, or eat some snack, I’ll call in a servant to bring us some tea.”

So, that’s how Dream found himself lurking in his uncle’s office from time to time, sometimes, he’d even see Techno or Wilbur there as well, there was even a time when the three of them didn’t want to deal with Tommy, so they all just huddled inside Phil’s office.

Of course that really did not last that long, all three burst out of the door the moment they hear the 5-year-old’s sobs and sniffles.

Imagine being gaslit by a literal toddler- L

As the days passed, every reading session with Techno, every music jam with Wilbur, every tree that he had to climb just to get a wailing Tommy down, and every tea-time he had with Phil, Dream started to believe, little by little.

Maybe he can do this after all.

Black smudged with smears of crimson, a faint glow of orange-

Dream’s breath hitched.

He’s back at Pandora’s 

He hastily looked around, he’s back in the same room that swallowed him on his death.

He looked ahead-

Tommy-

“You really think you can get away?”

“What-”

A step forward from the hero, a step back from the villain.

“Just because you turned back time, does not mean your atrocities are erased like they never happened.”

“I-”

“You don’t deserve a second chance-”

Dream gasps, cold blue eyes that pierced into his soul- a sword in hand, with no hesitation that used to be present when he asked for his release through death the first time.

Pain shot through his chest as the iron steel pierced through him.

“You don’t deserve any of this-”

Dream shot up gasping. 

Instead of the unforgiving edges of obsidian, he can feel the soft blanket and sheet beneath him, instead of the harsh light of lava glaring at him, he’s surrounded by the faint and gentle glow of the stars that they all painted on their room, he faintly remembers him and Tommy giggling and playing with the glowing ink that the tutor gave them for arts and crafts, remembers when they kept pestering the twins to help them put it up the ceiling, the little ‘stargazing’ they did that night, the constellations they made up from randomly connecting the crudely cut and painted stars pasted on the ceiling.

He sighed softly, good thing he did not wake up any of his cousins.

He quietly snuck out of the room, he may be a child, but he can still be quiet and unnoticed if he wants to

Dream-

Are you okay?

Ni ghtm ar e?

D reami e no :(  

You alright bud?

Dream flinches, the voices sound like a cacophony of noises.

Just like how the voices were, back then…

Dream whined as he put his hands over to his ears a vain attempt to make noises in his head to quiet down.

“Please, I can’t hear you chat, it’s just loud- like- like before, I can’t understand you-.”

Dream thought that the noise would just become louder, yell at him because how dare he complain when it’s all his fault-

But instead total quiet-

The voices listened to his pleas-

“Dream?”

Dream jumps, he did not expect anyone would be around at this hour, he did not check the time, but he guessed it was around midnight-

So who in the world would be awake at this hour-

Oh, It’s his uncle.

But instead of the usual neat shirt and the elegant grace of a duke, Phil is instead donning a loose green robe, a big and comfy-looking shawl covering his shoulder and arms.

He tilted his head in worry, “Is everything alright?”

That’s all it took to finally make Dream break.

The moment Phil saw Dream’s lips wobbling and his eyes started glistening with tears, Phil automatically kneeled down and opened his arms for the little one to come barreling towards him. 

Scooping up the child, he whispered words of comfort and assurance while he gently rocked the blond.

“Nightmare?”

Dream makes a tiny nod against his chest.

Phil squeezes his nephew in a tight and assuring hug.

“Would you like some tea? That can help you calm down.”

Again, a tiny nod.

Phil makes tea. He was going to be up all night doing more paperwork than ever, so he had a set prepared in his room. He did not like to wake any servants up since he knew they needed to rest. Gently, he places the cup in front of the child. Chamomile and lavender should help the child sleep later. He gives the boy a moment to compose himself.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Dream fidgets with his teacup, he contemplates his decision while biting his lips with a force that’s a bit too concerning for Phil-

“You-you’re not gonna hate me are you?”

Phil blinked, why would he hate Dream for a nightmare???

He voices this to his nephew, and the child seems to be relieved for the tiniest bit.

“There was a man, who did bad things to the people around him”

Phil can see the boy’s whole frame shaking, He thought it would have been about the child's parents, but he holds his nephew's hands and squeezes them in assurance, Dream takes a deep breath. 

“And- and, when they captured him, his- cousi- uum, uh, his brother- talked to him, he- he said- he regrets everything and that- that he wanted the brother to kill him instead-But- but- he woke up and went back in time, and- and he swore to  change- but-but then he dreamed about his past and-and he saw his brother and the brother said- he does not deserve a second chance-”

And while Dream tries to compose himself Phil blinks slowly, trying to comprehend what the boy just said.

Well, that’s certainly an odd but terrifying dream.

He ignores the fact that it’s a bit too specific.

“Do you wanna know what I think?”

Dream startles as he probably did not expect Phil to give his input, but he still makes another tiny nod. 

“I think that person should still make the most of his second chance.”

Dream’s head snaps to him, and Phil smiles.

“I don't really know what that person did, and I’m not sure if he does deserve that second chance-” Dream inhales sharply, Phil continues on-

“-but he was granted that second chance because his regret is evident enough that he really wants to do better- so despite what anyone and everyone says, he should just look forward to making things better…”

Dream’s eyes glistened again, Phil took that as a cue to pull him into a hug, comforting the child sobbing against his chest. 

Phil smiles sadly at his nephew now, deeply asleep from exhausting himself from all the crying that he did a while ago, he sighed.

He’s only heard those kinds of stories in fictional books, maybe a rumor or two that did not prove to be anything other than speculation or hunch.

Reincarnation. A chance to live the same life twice-

And Phil does not know what it means, if it was really just a nightmare, or Dream trying to cover up his own circumstance.

Phil thinks it’s too far-fetched, but he knows that maybe- maybe it is really what is happening,

And if that is true, then all the more, he’ll try his best to be there for his sons, his nephew, for his children.

He will not let anyone fall to the same fate.

Chapter Text

"Come on Toms, please unlock the door and talk to us-"

"NO! GO AWAY"

"I told you it's a bad idea to not tell him earlier." Dream mutters as he crosses his arms and stares at the locked doors.

Wilbur groaned "But we can't really find a chance to tell him."

Dream sighed, he knew that the moment Tommy discovered that Wilbur and Technoblade were entering the academy for a year or two to study, the child would throw out a tantrum. And honestly; he can't really blame the two for not speaking since- it really is a hard thing to do, you can't exactly say to a child you'll be away, even if it's just at least two years that would have felt like an eternity to a child.

Both looked to the side when they heard footsteps approach them. It was Techno, when he noticed them he questions them with a confused look.

"Tommy found out." Dream huffed.

Techno's eyes widened, "oh…"

Silence…all three do not really know how to deal with this.

But then Dream heard noises from the inside.

A loud clunk and a screeching creak from a door opening.

Realizing what that was, the blond groaned "He went out through the balcony again-"

"WHAT?! AGAIN?!"

"HEH?!"

Dream walked towards the door and opened it with his key. 

[ All three have their own key just in case of emergency, and honestly, Dream is astonished by the fact that none of them- even Tommy abused this and still gave each and everyone space if they needed it. ]

And just as he said, the door to the balcony is slammed open and a chair is propped right where the knob of the door is.

Dream, for the third ? Fourth ? Time, sighed.

He hopped over the balcony, trying to get some leverage and footing to jump over the ledge.

"WAIT- Dream, what are you doing- we'll go with you-"

"No, you guys still need to pack and prepare for the trip, I'll go look for and talk to him; besides, he'll most likely just run away if he sees you."

Wilbur looked at him in frustration, but before he could say anything Techno talks over.

"Just be careful nerd, don't go giving the gardeners a heart attack outside-"

Dream smiles, "No promises-"

It has been a year now since Dream stayed in the Minecraft Dukedom, he's 14, the twins, 18; hence their soon trip to the academy, and Tommy 7, his energy and chaos still as loud as ever.

Surprisingly, Dream started to really fit in with the family, so much so that he can even call himself a part of it.

Though it didn't come with difficulties, sometimes he'd still get a whiplash when he felt like he was having too much of a good time, he'd reel back to his past life, and he would again feel like he did not deserve all this, but chat would just yell at him until he stops dwelling on it. he'd still get nightmares, but he can't clearly remember any of it after, he'd just wake up from Phil's bed or from the tangled mess that his cousins endearingly call "cuddle pile".

He mindlessly smiles as he jogs towards the greenhouse, if there's one thing he knows where any of them would go beside their room to sulk, it would be the apple tree.

-And Dream was right, the kid is sitting right behind the tree, sniffling and hugging his knees while glaring at any plant or insect he finds offensive.

Even approaching, the little one did not move, he just glanced at Dream when he sat beside him then went back to glaring at random things.

Silence…

"You knew…"

Dream winced, Techno and Wil better pay him for all this, as much as he likes playing the meditator, it gets tiring sometimes.

"Well  yeah-"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"They wanted to tell you themselves."

"Why do they have to go-"

"Something about a degree? I don't get it much- but I think every citizen needs to take up one-"

"It's dumb and stupid."

"Not really-"

"BUT THEY'RE GONNA BE AWAY FOR A LONG TIME!."

Dream smiled softly, as much as they all love their youngest, there are still some things that they all four can't do together.

"Remember how Techno wants to be a swordsman? And how Wilbur's trying combine music with magic?"

"Yeah?"

"Well they wanted to study about that even more, and they'll be able to do that at the academy-"

"No, they just don't want to be with me anymore."

Ah, there it is, Dream's heart breaks for his youngest cousin. No matter how loud and or obnoxious his youngest cousin is, he knows that everyone loved him so dearly, including Dream himself.

Calm down chat, no need to go for murder-

" No they don't, Tommy they love you so, so much, and they're really sad that they'll be away from us, that's why they can't tell you the news, they know you'll be sad and they don't want to see that-"

" R-really?"

"Yes, really."

With a still gloomy but relatively calmer Tommy in tow, Dream headed toward the manor; albeit with a slow pace since he knows Tommy needs to take more time to compose himself.

When they entered, dinner was just about to start and the moment they went in all three heads snapped to Dream and Tommy.

This the most tense and quiet dinner to ever grace this table, Dream thought to himself.

Everyone just refuses to talk or say something, it's killing Dream-

No way I'm gonna let this all be-

When they finished, he crossed his arms and blocked the doorway, all three looked at him in confusion-

"You three. Talk. Now. "

He didn't even bother looking back at them as he walked away. Only turning to Hubert to ask for help.

After half an hour or so, the siblings made their way into their room.

Dream, already in nightwear, is sitting on a chair with his arms crossed waiting for them.

He squints at the three, all obviously have cried to some degree but he chooses not to acknowledge that.

Instead, he gestures at the giant bed, well, two beds pushed together to make a bigger one, he grabs all the pillows and blankets he can find, making some sort of a nest around the big bed. Reluctantly all three climbed up the soft mattress, when they were about to lay down, the door opened once again to reveal Phil from the other side.

The siblings flinched and looked away. Still, the Duke smiles "I'm here to say goodnight, You two will leave by dawn right?"

Oh, this could work. Dream jumped down from the bed to jog towards his uncle. The older blond was startled a little when he took his hand but followed when his nephew pulled him towards the bed. He sat at the foot and looked at the three, sighed and ruffled their hair, including Dream. 

Forgetting the worries of tomorrow, a father and four children all snuggled together in a peaceful slumber for the night.

 It's been a week and Dream thinks it's a bit too quiet.

Sure, maybe because quiet chatters and snickers no longer grace the walls of the library, nor music and singing that flows through the wind of the gardens, Dream is certain that those needs to be considered...

But the lack of obnoxious screaming and screeching throughout the walls is what unnerves him.

Tommy, by some miracle, is unusually silent and Dream hates it.

He can't even bring himself to indulge in the quiet…

Strumming the guitar that Wilbur gifted him during his birthday (which- he definitely did not cry over, shush chat) he tried to think of ways to cheer everyone up, cause even if Phil does not show his sadness, Dream can feel that he also missed his sons.

"What do you think chat?"

No thoughts only pain, ueueu

I miss them already

Why is school still a thing here

Yeah- we're in a medieval-ish world, this should be illegal

Oh, shush your yapping, you speak as if they'll completely be gone for the whole two years

Dream giggles at chat's banter, he's grateful to have a portion to be at least sane, and sensible, who knows how he'll fare with just… the other part-

Hey-

You love usss

Come on Dreamie, what is this slander?

We gotta make our own entertainment you know

"Alright, alright- I get it, chat is fun, okay-"

Dream chuckles, "But seriously, any ideas chat?"

Just continue playing with the feral child maybe?

Muffins?

I'll do you one better, how bout some oreos-

NO

Well, I tried...

How about a letter?

Man, it wouldn't be this hard if phones were a thing

Wait-

That’s it-

“Chat, communicators were a thing before from the first one right?”

Oh yeaaaah-

I thought those were already high peak- fancy gear, then we witnessed the 21st Century-

To be fair, it's still a big breakthrough here-

And expensive, smh

Maybe it can be possible…

“Uncle Phil!”

The Duke turns his head towards the door, where Dream is standing, along with Hubert who has the tea that he called for. Smiling, Phil welcomes his nephew in his study, and as routine, Dream makes a beeline for the sofa where they all usually sit and relax.

“Yes, Dream?”

“I was wondering if you know anything about tech magic?”

Phil scratches his chin in thought, he has heard of the new type of magic emerging, though interesting, theories and hypotheses are the only existing writings as of today, and he voices this out to the blond. Dream seemed to deflate on that, and Phil can’t help but feel bad, Dream probably read it somewhere and had is interest piqued, Phil wished he can provide more help to his nephew-

“My lords, if I may speak-’ Phil jumps when Hubert spoke up ‘-I happen to have heard that some new books about that topic have been brought to the public library and the bookstore, I can go there and fetch some books if you wish-”

Phil can practically see the stars in Dream’s eyes upon hearing what their servant said, Phil chuckles, maybe it’s better to give the boy some other things to be busy with. 

“Alright, try to get as many as you can”

“TAG!”

A shreeech pierced through the garden as two children zoomed by the fountain.

The maids and the gardens smile as they watch the two youngest run around the manor again.

It has been another week and everyone grows more weary as more days of silence pass, you can only imagine their relief when they see young master Dream drag a still grumbling Tommy out in the sun, so much more when their giggles and laughs start increasing in volume and ring all throughout the courtyard.

Every servant adores the Minecraft children, even Dream, their cousin. Their banter and antics has always given the place an energy that cannot be found anywhere, working for Duke Philza is already a blessing, but to witness the three siblings (plus their cousin) grow and frolic around is such a great feeling to have as well

“TAG! YOU’RE IT.”

“AAHH- NO FAIR.”

It’s nice to see and hear that mischief and joy back, guess they all have young master Dream to thank for.

“Dreaaam, I’m tireeeed-”

“Just a minute Toms, I’ll be done in a second.”

“I wannaaa sleeeep.”

Dream rolls his eyes in fondness, after hastily putting on his nightwear, and he climbs up the bed he and Tommy shared; When the older ones left, they never really returned the bed to its original place since Tommy insists that Henry the cow and Shroud the spider (of course Tommy would have a spider stuffie-) should have their own space.

And if the younger became a lot more clingy and cuddly towards Dream, well- he just blames it on the “guests” occupying the other two beds.

Before settling down under the covers, Dream reaches for one of the books sitting on the nightstand. Tommy glares at it like it offended him, the older blond chuckles and ruffles his hair.

So they just lay there, enjoying the warmth of each other, talking about anything and nothing, giggling about their adventures until they fell asleep.

As the youngest continues to rant about his valiant deeds of guarding the squirrels against "the tyranny of the cruel birds", Dream continues to run his hand on the younger's hair; a few moments later, quiet snores fill the room.

Dream sighs, now that the gremlin is asleep, he can finally read the book that Hubert finally got for him.

Since tech magic is a probable thing here with the evidence of it working from the past life, Dream figured that maybe, just maybe- with his experiences as Clay combined with his knowledge of the past, maybe he could make something similar to a phone, or to the 'communicator' that was invented here.

It may not be a big leap from the technology of the 21st century, but considering how the concept of electricity is largely different here...

It's not like he's doing this for profit, he just wants his cousins, no- his brothers to smile again.

So he got to reading-

As Phil said, most of them are just theories and possible what-ifs or potentials that could be possible-

But regarding to the origin of the magic itself-

Apparently, a book or journal of some sort just appeared out of nowhere, and some scholars were able to decipher the writings."Huh" Dream thought, the author of the journal must be some kind of prodigy to be able to invent something like that. Fortunately, some of the text has been copied onto the book Dream was reading. So he turns the page;

public class test{

Wait-

What

Eh-

    public static void main (String[] args){

EH

System.out.println ("Hello World");

EEHHH???

Chapter Text

The morning streaks of light that peeked through the windows pulled Tommy from his slumber, so, with a half hearted grumble towards the sun itself, Tommy sits up from the sheets, and with a yawn and half he's already planning on the many things he gotta do as the resident big man.
He jumps when his leg brushes on a corner of something- he digs through the tangles and messes of blankets to reveal several books buried in it.
He looks to his side-
…
Why are they all like this-

Dream felt oddly well rested for someone who pulled an all-nighter…
And the sun is unusually bright today…
W a i t-
He shoots up, head swerving to the clock in record time.
It's already 9 am
He overslept-
WHY DIDN'T TOMMY WAKE HIM UP?!?

"You're finally awake"
Dream's head swerves towards the door. 
And there; is Tommy Innit Minecraft standing menacingly by the entrance.
Now, Dream, even as Clay, never really indulged in any horror games, tried playing one once and all he did was scream his throat out at every turn of a corner.
So it's understandable that he almost screamed the moment he saw his little cousin by the hallway.

"T-tommy! Wha- why didn't you wake me up"
Without missing a beat, Tommy answers him while easily jumping up the bed to sit at the edge "You looked like a corpse  passed out while sitting up and the books are scattered all around the bed-"
Oh, Dream nervously looks at his little cousin, he forgot that he's not in a dingy apartment with redbull cans as companions anymore…
Safe to say he spent the rest of the midday with Tommy berating his ears out about self-care.

Of all people, Tommy is the one nagging to him about self-care.

Going back to the barely legible notes and handwriting he had made last night, Dream stared at the lines of codes written on the book:

public class test{
    public static void main (String[] args){
System.out.println ("Hello World");

Glaring at the text he realizes several things:
The most obvious one, the code is clearly java code- a programming language from Earth
That means that the author of this "journal" themself is from Earth.
From what Dream read from the books the journal that the people here are regarding as some research of  "high caliber" looks like some poor college student's lecture notes, seeing how it seems to be just the basics of programming, he has to admit, the 'scholars' that somehow deduced that these so-called runes are somehow component of something bigger did a good job of even just understanding what would have been just a jumbled mesh of words for them.
Also, Java programming code looks absolutely atrocious in old English font- 
Is the implication of the possibility that someone other than Dream has a knowledge of another world or even an actual Earth person has been yeeted here like Dream in reverse sinking in to him?

N o

Is that probably gonna metaphorically  boomerang back to him so hard that he'll have a concussion mentally?

100 percent y e s

Does, he, care?

...
Naaah, he got brothers and an uncle to cheer up, he'll deal with the complications later.
Right now, he's got to figure this out.

 How in the world is he supposed to do this though?

If he was back on Earth, then he'd just type furiously with the keyboard with his eyes glued to the screen. 
But this now presents a huge and obvious problem: 
There's no computers or any electronic whatsoever in this world-
So how in the world is he supposed to make any code work? Just slap some mana into it and hope it magically manifests the program on the thing??? 

 wait...
that actually makes sense — Tech  magic IS still magic and a form of magic requires mana in one way or another 
Dream dives back to the pile’ of books in front or him to read through A page he scanned through last night, There!-

"It has been theorized that this type of magic works like script magic where written words can be brought to life using mana, the runes could be a clue as to how it could be executed."

Dream snorts, it's funny that programming syntax is called runes here.
Okay- if that theory somehow works then Dream can do that, he had tried and seen script magic in action back at his last life here, so he's got at least a grasp of it, all he needs is pen and paper-
Wait…
That means he has to write the program with ink and paper.
Dream groans
He he hoped for some red bull right now-

"Chat, how are we going to do this?"

Dunno, you're the big brain guy here

we stopped thinking when we realized that one cannot type in this world.

And like- don't you need a hardware to manifest the code into?

Dream pauses…
Oh yeah-
But then- now that he’s thought about it, script magic won’t entirely work since it only manifests words into magic not it's not used for objects-
That’s what enchanting was for.
But enchanting only uses a particular set of runes-
Is he supposed to combine two types of magic then????
…
Whatever, he’ll just figure it out as he goes. 

What can he possibly use though? Something similar to a speaker or a walkie-talkie would be nice-

Or anything that can produce sound honestly…
Preferably small and easy to conceal-
Something like a box-
Oh!

"Hubeeeeert!"

"Hey Tommy-"
"Yeah?"
"Take this and go to the garden, then open it and wind the key, three times-"
"Okay?"

--- --- ---

"WHOAAAA WHAT THE F••• THAT WAS SO COOL!!"
"language, I'm surprised it worked this well the first time."
"It sounded s••• though, big man-"
"I know- if only I can get some magic supplies-"
"LET'S GO OUTSIDE!"
"Oh, okay then-"

That is how Dream found himself inside a fancy store looking at fancy stuff that would have worth more than a semester of his tuition fee-
Phil gave them several pieces of coins to buy things with, but his secret stash of donos from chat was a good thing to have as well-

Lmaoooo is that a glitter pen?

You literally just bought a fancy stationary set-

How? is this? going to work? 

"DREAM! Those coni-cominacator things looked boring as f•••, Imma slap these into them-"
Dream turns to the younger who has been rapidly pulling at his sleeve to get his attention- before he can even turn fully, Tommy shoves a handful of what looks like sheets of paper to his face-
Wait- 
Are those stickers????
Stickers are a thing here????

Ex villain discovers that stickers and craft materials exist on his world, more at 11-

Lmao, you should've went out more, maybe then you wouldn't have committed vast amounts of war crimes

HAHAHAHA Imagine the great Mage of Death, stoped by a piece of scented stickers lmaooo

Dream flushes and dies internally as chat teases him relentlessly- 
He can’t really defend himself- he was a difficult child to deal with back then-
Maybe if he was just more friendly and open- then maybe he won’t have ended up-

『 **clink!**』

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

Calm down kid, they're
just trying to banter, 
go buy your stationary.

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

Dream blinks, he chuckles softly
Thanks chat

“Ayup, that sounds better Big D-”
“-stop calling me that, also- it didn’t really sound any different with your screeching and all-”
“OI!”
“How are we gonna send this to them though? It’ll still take a long time by mail-”
“We can just ask Dad- but I wanna surprise him along with Wilby and Techie-”
“Can we just put it in a box? Put several other things in it and say it’s a care package-”
“YOU’RE A GENIUS BOSSMAN- COME ON I HAVE SOME IDEAS-”

“You want to send this to Wil and Tech to the academy?”
“YES! It’s a present made by me and Dream, so that they won’t miss our greatness that much-”
“Awww mate, alright I’ll give it to them-”

Now, Dream expected a lot of things- maybe some personal mail system only the duke can access maybe, magic crow that swoops down to grab the package to deliver. 
He did not expect for it to just disappear from the duke’s hand in a fancy light-
Eh?
Oh yeah- family gift-magic he forgot…
Wait a minute- the spatial magic he inherited was from the Minecraft side?!

At around 10 pm, the two blondes come crashing through the duke’s study-
“Dream, Tommy, what’s going on- why are you two here- it’s already late evening-”
Tommy shushes him as he excitedly climbs the chair and on his father's lap, Dream just stands beside them, gently placing the small music box on the table in front of them.
“SHHHHH DAD WE ARE WAITING IF IT WORKS”
“What works-”
And before Phil can finish- the music box starts playing by itself.
“IT WORKS!” both children yelled simultaneously-
Dream excitedly opens the little box- 
Silence-
Tommy, being the natural gremlin he is, decided to yell at the top of his lungs
“HELLO?”
Phil looks at him, confused- he turns his head to the music box that Dream opened.
“T-Tommy?”
That voice
Wilbur??!
“Bruhh, that was loud, did the gremlin follow us here or something”
And that’s Techno-
“HELLO YOU TWO!”
“Wait, is that actually Tommy-”
Dream and Tommy looked at each other, eyes equally gleaming in mischief and wonder-
Phil just looks at them in awe and confusion- 
Was that what they have been both conspiring these past two weeks?
“DID YOU MISS US?”

Worldbuilding pog? (just a lil note cause I suck at describing things like these on narrations):

photo link :v

Here's an outtake cause it felt redundant to put it at the fic:

"DAAAAD!" 
Ah, there goes the peaceful breakfast…
Well, it was fun while it lasted, 
Phil legitimately thought the kids slept in and that he'd get more time to indulge in the silence for the oncoming onslaught of the day.
Turns out he was wrong-
Well, partially wrong.
Because while, yes- Tommy is indeed waddling towards the table, no Dream could be found anywhere.
And by the looks of the haphazardly put together clothes of Tommy, Dream might have still been asleep since the older would have never let Tommy to step out of the door with his clothes like that.
Phil chuckles softly as he catches his youngest in his arms, he placed Tommy on his lap and continued with breakfast. Might as well cherish their alone time then.
"Tommy, where's Dream?"
Doesn't mean he's not gonna check on his nephew tho- Dream never really woke up later than 6, so it caught Phil off guard to see the other missing.
"He's asleep." The child deadpans while he casually shoves a scone on his mouth.
Phil talks to his son while fixing and straightening his youngest's clothes "Oh? Why? Did you two slept late?"
"Nu-ah! Just him, he was asleep while sitting and books are all around the bed, I could've stabbed myself with the corners if i wasn't such a big man myself-"
Phil laughs, ah he must have gotten the books from Hubert.
"He must have really liked studying about it then."
Tommy's eyes widened- then glistened with upcoming tears.
"Is Dreamie gonna leave as well?"
Letting out a few curses in his head, Phil hurries to comfort and assure the boy.
"No- no Tommy, Dream is too young for the academy- he's not gonna leave-"
Phil may have left out the word "yet" at the end of the sentence though…
"R-really?"
"Really, he must have just gotten interested in the topic, so just let him be okay?"
However, he might need to talk to Dream about his sleep, just imagining him from what Tommy said is already making him sore.
"So how about we help him out okay?"

Chapter Text

“Technoooo”

“What is it?”

“Dad sent a package to us-”

“Heah?”

Technoblade looked at his twin in confusion, it's been just two weeks or so since they left, why send something so early?

"WHAT THE F••• IT'S FULL OF GLITTER-"

"Oh, it's from Tommy."

Well, that answers it- 

"AND FROM DREAM!"

heah?

Techno approached from the door to look over his shoulder, the box was filled to the brim with glitter, he watches Wilbur take out several knick knacks like tiny trinkets and random pieces out of the box while vigorously shaking the clingy dust out of them, and as annoying as his little brother is, he kinda appreciates that they even bothered doing this.

"Oh, what's this?"  

Wilbur brought out the biggest piece from the box, it is a small, simple music box, and is practically screaming TOMMY just from all the stickers slapped into it. 

A small note has been taped on top of it. Techno took it and read what was written.

"Wind the box 3 times at around 10 pm, from Dream and Tommy.' Huh, wonder whats it for-"

The brunette looked at his twin who just offered a shrug in return.

"I guess we'll know tonight-"

"HELLO?"

Wilbur also jumped when the box suddenly spoke after he turned it.

Wait- that voice…"

"T-tommy?"

Techno, who went and locked the door, turned to Wilbur.

"Bruhh that was loud, was that the gremlin?"

"HELLO, YOU TWO-"

Techno's eyes widened.

"Wait- is that actually Tommy?",

Wilbur, not really knowing how to respond, just turns to the device.

"DID YOU MISS US?"

"Wha- of course, we missed you but what is happening- how are you speaking with us right now?"

They hear Tommy and Dream giggle from the other side.

"Well, you see big man-"

---

They spent the whole time talking and catching up, their dad sounded like he was about to cry, probably because of hearing the voices of his sons after being away, or pride that his two youngest were able to make something so amazing. The twins would like to think that it's a mix of both.

"Are we there yet-"

"Tommy, you literally asked that thirty seconds ago-"

"Are we there yet?"

Groaning, Dream buries his face in his hands. Phil chuckles while he watches the two banter. They're on their way to watch the tournament as an event to end the school year.

He had just turned sixteen, The twins were just several months away from turning twenty and Tommy is now nine years old. It's like it was just yesterday I was freaking out about being double returned back here.

For the past years, he has surprisingly fared well. Of course, he'd have some times where he can't help but compare his current life to the one back on Earth both the good things and the bad things. He still sometimes has the habits from when he was in college, like pulling all-nighters as if tomorrow is a crucial deadline. Good thing for him, he has the big man Tommy to gently remind him that sleep is in fact needed by the human body. Hubert is- as usual, a big help. Still, trying to live as a noble is a hard thing to adjust to. Fortunately, he responds and acts accordingly purely out of reflex, but sometimes ordering another person or spending thousands of coins in one day irks him internally. He's getting used to it, though sometimes he slips, when he worries that if a command is too much he would often automatically blurt out an apology. Or when he spends a lot of coins to buy something he'd worry that he's spending too much, but Hubert, Phil, and the other servants always gently remind him that he's a noble and that he is entitled to these things.

Oh, and Phil- bless his soul for being so understanding.

Even aside from the guilt from the previous life that Dream is slowly learning to deal with, he thinks that he doesn't deserve the kindness Phil is showing him. During bad nights- when the nightmares won't just stop and when Chat can't calm him down, he would often go to Phil. Every single time without fail, his uncle would just smile and get them both tea (chamomile, Dream smiles) and just sit down and talk until Dream fell asleep.

"Dream, you know I'll always be here, right? I may not know what exactly is happening, but I hope one day you'll be able to tell me."

"I'm sorry- I know I shouldn't keep secrets- but I can't, at least not yet-"

"It's okay, just know that this family will always love you okay."

"Thank you Uncle, I promise when I-"

"Just take your time mate."

He started looking into his actual abilities, more specifically, spatial magic, which Phil was more than happy to teach him to master. If he was only capable of storing small things such as paper before, now he can store and recall bigger things such as his guitar and other things that he does not wish for anyone to find, accidentally or not. He still continued to experiment with the programming thing that he remembers from Earth, by proxy, he has been studying more about script magic and enchantment, it also helps that the academy themselves are slowly making some progress, this gives Dream more insight to better grasp tech magic. Tommy started to take an interest in sword fighting just like Techno, he's gonna admit, he almost spiraled when he saw the kid holding a wooden sword for the first time. Chat, as usual, pulls him out of it. After watching the younger train, he figures that he should probably learn how to defend himself, unlike in the past when he purely relied on his magical abilities. 

Life- in general, is good, but Dream knows in his heart that it'll only last for a bit, he needs to start making his move as well.

"Hubert..."

"Yes, young lord?"

"There's something that I need to do but I can't on my own, will you help me?"

"Of course, what is it?"

"Do you know any information guilds?"

After this, the preparations are now set, and Dream has to make a decision-

"WE'RE HERE-"

Hearing his cousin shriek delightfully, Dream snaps back to attention just in time for their arrival outside the academy's gate.

And wow, it's big-

It looks just like a college campus, just- fancier. And as the carriage enters, Dream can't help but stare in awe at the place. Maybe if things go well, he might consider studying here

Bruhh, imagine going to college again, cringe

Wha- what do you mean we're gonna study again? nooooo

Can't we just continue monopolizing technology?

YEAH CAPITALISM

YEAAAAH DOWN WITH THE ECONOMYYY

YOOOO IT'S WILBUR

WILBAH

WILBY WILBY

Dream rolls his eyes at Chat's antics- really, the attention span of these voices is next to nonexistent-

As Chat said, Wilbur is standing by the entrance just as excited as they are to meet again.

His looks didn't really look all that different aside from the glasses. Though, he is now donning a capelet- if Dream's memory from the books is correct, the garment is a uniform of some sort, by the academy's student council.

And by the looks of the golden brooch on Wil's right chest, he's the president- huh, he didn't really take Wilbur as the type who would run for politics -

"Dad! Dream! Toms!"

Tommy immediately tackles the older with a delighted scream. Dream and Phil follow after the gremlin chuckling.

"Wow, this looks familiar." Dream muses as he helps the older to get up from being tackled to the ground.

"Har har, funny- but heyy- how is my favorite cousin? You've grown taller!" Wilbur pulls the blond into an embrace along with Tommy.

Dream giggles "Well, it's called two years have passed, by the way, where is Techno?"

"Oh he's busy preparing for the tournament, said he wants to surprise you lot- hey Dad" 

Phil laughs- hugging his son tightly "Hello, son."

They banter and talk until they reach the arena, both Dream and Tommy staring awestruck at such a big place.

It looked like the Colosseum from Rome but from the past, a circular field with the audience surrounding the arena. Dream's eyes were caught by the box-looking space just above the entrance to the arena, and if the movies taught him anything, that is the area is a place for the royalty to sit.

That's when he sees him.

The figure standing beside the throne, talking to what is obviously the king- red curly locks and piercing golden eyes. A carefree smile that can rival Wilbur's charm.

Prince Cornelius

The prince that caused his downfall.

Dun dun duuuuun!

Yo it's the man behind the slaughter

Not gonna lie- he kinda looks like a wimp right now

We only stan Dream as our beloved menace in this household

Yo look at the nerd- imagine being an evil prince cringe

Dream internally snickers, it seems like Chat just knows when to say the right things to snap him out the moment panic starts.

Calm down, the prince is not even aware that you're here- just play dumb and enjoy the games.

He turns his attention to his family surprisingly easily, and they wait for the tournament to begin.

The sounds of trumpets and the cheer of the audience signify the start of the event- Apparently, Techno was the champion last year, which is why he won't show up until the final fight to defend his title, so Dream, Tommy, and Wilbur watch and talk about the contestants, mostly based from what Wil tells them from what he knows about the student. The finalist is a blond, blue-eyed teen- his name is Punz apparently, and Dream remembers him being a mercenary who would often end up working with Dream sometimes in the past, and like before, the man is fairly good at fighting.

Finally- finally they get to see Techno in action. Dream wonders how much has changed-

The announcer happily calls the reigning champion to the stage. And Dream excitedly anticipates the grand entrance of his cousin

And when Techno appears before the crowd. Time seems to stop for Dream.

"Now rejoice as the current champion once again steps up to defend his battle."

Long pink hair

Red, crimson cape

And a golden crown gleaming under the sunlight.

"The Blade!"

Chapter Text

"Now rejoice as the current champion once again step up to defend his crown."

Long pink hair

Red, crimson cape

And a golden crown gleaming under the sunlight.

"The Blade!"

He's been too lenient, he thought everything is fine- turns out history will repeat itself.

Instead of the arena, he's back in the past- the battlefields, where the corpses seem to look like crimson seas. Where, on the opposite side of the war, his cousin stands.

Long pink hair

Red, crimson cape

And a golden crown gleaming under the sunlight.

His men whispered in hushed voices, calling the rebel a title given by the people.

The Blade-

Yooo why is princess Bubblegum fighting in the hunger games? Did she fall off or something?

Dream chokes on air as chat pierces his spiral out of nowhere.

What is wrong with you chat?

Hey, it worked, shut up green man

Yeeeeeh

Ptsd go brrrrr

『 **clink!**』

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

That's not the Blade 

that you knew from

 the past, look:

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

Dream looked-

Instead of the wrathful warrior tearing through the battlefield with a snarl of righteous fury, he sees a young man- his cousin, his pseudo-brother, gleefully fighting his opponent with a healthy dose of competitiveness and determination. Dream furrows his eyebrows, a part of him is still telling him that this is the Blade from the past and that the moment he'll be seen he'll get killed and that he should run-

"Uhhh Wil? Why is Techno's hair like that?"

Phl's question grabbed his attention from his own thoughts. Wil chuckles as he watches "He said he's sick and tired of the people trying to interact with him thinking that he's me so he decided to grow his hair out to make it easier for everyone including him."

Dream paled, wow that's scarily similar to the past. Techno, when he stepped up as the Blade to lead the revolution before, grew his hair out to look as different from his brother as he can, but back then, it was because Wilbur ended up betraying his family.

"WHAT'S WITH THE F•••••• COLOR THEN?" Tommy yells, not to be outdone by the roaring crowd. Wilbur snorts.

"Ah, that's when his friends pranked him that one night-"

"Techno was pranked?"

"TECHNO HAS FRIENDS?"

Dream and Tommy both reacted and Phil laughs at their antics.

Now isn't that ironic, he thinks, split with laughing or just straight up wailing at this point, both times he changed his hair, but because of the exact same reason but in a totally opposite circumstance.

With a clearer mind thanks to chat and the banter of his family, Dream watches his brother in awe, cheering for him to win and defend his apparent throne.

Blood

What was that chat?

Blood

Heh? Who that?

Kill 

Uuhhh guys?

Blood

Erm- 

Blood

Chat- no, whatever the voices are- steadily increases in volume which eventually overpowers Chat

BLOOD

BLOOD

KILL

KILL

BLOOD BLOOD

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

B̵̛̲͓͍͖̰̫̹̍̃͂̽̈́̆̊̈́̕L̴̯͉̻̥̩̩̦̳͙͚͂͗́̿̈́̌̃̄͠Ō̵͎͚͂̄̽͝͝͝O̶̲͙̻͇̣͒͋̿͝ͅD̴͚͈̾͑̈́ ̶̦͋̕F̴̡͙͉͖͎̊̿̋̔̏̈́̅̊Ǫ̶̢̛͍͕̜͓̳͕̳͆̄̃R̷̩̈́̈́̚͝ ̷͍̈́̌͐T̴̰̈́͗H̵̻̞̞̃Ẹ̷̮̠̜̾̾͐̓̏̽͠ͅ ̸̢̰͍̘͉͌̀́͌̑̇́͗͘ͅͅḄ̸̲̥̻̙̣̙͋͒̔̉̕L̸̯͕͛̆̓̈̈́͐̈́̚ͅO̴͚͈͌̌̊̏̕͠Ǫ̸̨̞͙̼̥͓̍̈́́͆͂͛́́͜͝D̶̡̛̝̗̠͚̙̻̦̮̤͆̓̈́̿̓̕͝ ̶̧̫̅̓̏̕ͅG̸̨̡̙͕̻̼͈̼̾̽ͅȎ̸͖͖͇̹͖͈̪͈͐̍̓͊̌͆͋D̴̘͍̠̬̙͒͐͒̀͂̎̍̔̕͝ͅ

"THE BLADE IS ONCE AGAIN THE UNDEFEATED CHAMPION!!!"

The crowd's cheer shakes the arena and Dream is startled out of whatever was going on in his head. After that it's all quiet again, save for Chat coming back and panicking like he was just a while ago. 

What was that?

Who were they?!

They like- kept pushing- us all out

I didn't like that-

He grimaced, it's understandable why Chat would freak out like that, inside his mind- they're practically untouchable so to be infiltrated by a chorus of aggressive voices like them is enough to shake them.

"-Dream!" 

Oh, he spaced out, didn't he? He turns to his family, who all are looking at him in worry, his heart flutters.

"Are you okay?"

He chuckles and nods his head tiredly "Yeah, I just had a headache probably from traveling, it's okay- it's fading away anyways." Phil, Wilbur, and Tommy reluctantly let go of the subject for now

As he watches his brother be crowned and congratulated by the prince who condemned him to execution before, he frowns. 

Where did those voices come from?

***

After the fight, they were finally able to meet up with Techno- who is in equal excitement as them. They spent the day just bonding and enjoying each other's company and eventually retiring for the night. Dream couldn't sleep at all, partly because of what happened earlier and partly because of Chat not being capable of calming down until now. 

He puts on a cloak, a nifty black cloth enchanted for stealth that he decided to buy using the money he accumulated from chat's donos (he still has no idea where it's coming from) as a "gift from the generous sponsors" and as an…investment just in case.

Carefully, he sneaks out, a little bit easier now since it's been a really hectic and full day, rendering Tommy more sleepy than usual. So he gets out through the window, careful to sneak quietly to not alert the guards patrolling.

Nearby the campus is a forest, perfect for Dream to frolic and run around hoping to tire him out as well.

What he didn't expect to see though, is Technoblade 

standing in the middle of a clearing with a sword in hand and breathing heavily like he just ran a marathon. Dream crouches in the shadows of the canopy confused to why his brother is here-

"SHUT UP"

Dream startles- who is he talking to?

There's no one else but him-

Then it hits him

Kill

KILL

BLOOD

BLOOD

KILL

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

It was the same voices from back then-

Amongst the sea of angry chorus crying out for blood, Dream looks at his brother in horror and fear.

He knows where the voices are coming from now .

"YOU WANT BLOOD HUH-"

Another slash on the tree trunk, Dream grips the branch tighter.

What happened to his brother?

"UGHHHHHHHH"

Normally, we'd nag you to stop moping- but yeah, this- this is a lot

Dang, what happened to the blade?

I dunno, do we even wanna know?

They were just like us but- angry

Dream slams his head on the table with another round of groaning.

Technoblade, his brother apparently has voices in his head as well.

Yeah, they were just like us back then-

Complete silence…

Dream grimaced again.

***

"WHERE'S DREAAAAM"

Technoblade sighs as Tommy yells from the top of his lungs for the umpteenth time in the morning. Today was just a day off for everyone to rest for now, but apparently, the gremlin wants to terrorize even on the supposed day of rest.

"If I look for him and bring him to you, would you stop bursting our eardrums?"

"YEAH!"

Wilbur chuckles "Are you sure? I can go instead if you're tired from yesterday."

Techno shakes his head, "Nahh it's fine, I need to stretch my legs anyways."

Techno walks away hearing the distant yelling from his youngest, while he loves them to the depths of the world, He needed to get away for a bit.

The headache from last still hasn't faded yet, and they are starting up again.

"Come on chat it wasn't that bad-"

Techno pauses right before he knocks at the slightly open door.

Who was Dream talking to? 

Paranoia takes over Techno, he takes an invis vial he always has in his pocket and drinks it before he quietly opens the door and sneaks inside, Dream is sitting by the study, his chin resting on an arm while he stares to particularly nothing, seems like Dream is too tired or out of it that he does not notice Techno sneaking in. This now suddenly made the older feel bad- he internally nags himself for invading his brother's privacy just because of his overthinking-

"I mean sure we just discovered something concerning last night- but to be fair, we shouldn't have been running around the academy's forrest during the witching hours."

Techno pauses and pales, unless there's some other psychopath doing some crazy thing last night, Dream is talking about him- but no one else but Dream is present in the room, so is he talking to himself-

Techno really hopes that this is just some odd way to organize one's thoughts-

Dream chuckles "Oh sure let me just walk up to him and say 'Oh, hi Techno! I also have voices in my head, since I was a wee child actually, wanna bond together?'"

Techno's breath hitches- what? Dream- Dream has what-

"UGHHH THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING-" Dream stands up abruptly and Techno quietly scrambles out of his way as his younger brother starts pacing back and forth.

"Where did those other voices come from? Did something trigger it? How come Techno hasn't said anything to us? I guess it's not an easy topic to open up- But still, this feels so out of nowhere Chat, what should I do? How can we help him??"

Chat? Is that what he calls the voices in his head? Techno's heart tightens, his little brother does not even show any tinge of fear, and the pinkette now feels horrible for making a family member worry and be burdened by his own problem, but another thing that bothers him is the way Dream speaks with these 'voices'.

It's as if they're friends-

Is that even possible?

The blond stops his pacing midway, probably listening to whatever chat is saying now.

"Hmmm, surprisingly I don't feel like I'm being affected by those voices- I think it's because I'm already used to it- hmm? Any episodes or spirals? Again, it's surprising but I don't feel anything, if you meant with how you used to be before, I feel like this is totally different…"

"You all used to call me a monster that I'm not a person and that I don't deserve a family-"

Techno's eyes widened at such harsh words that his cousin had just uttered, how has Dream endured all that- the blond smiled bitterly, and the older had to physically stop himself from hugging the younger and yell at him that it's not true-

"-As for Techno's voices though- something about blood and some god- I think they're asking him to offer up something to appease or please a deity-"

Wait a minute

How did Dream know what he is hearing?

Blood

"Oh, wow- right on cue, hello Techno's voices- no, I do not wish to commit violence today I'm good-"

Dream can hear Techno's voices…

Realization dawns on him.

Dream can hear Techno's voices-

KILL HIM

BLOOD

MURDER

KILL HIM

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

"Yeah, I hear you the first time- who do you even want to kill this time wait, if you're here, doesn't that mean Techno is nearby-"

Their eyes met

Techno realizes in horror that the invisibility runs out-

A gasp "Techno- "

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

link

Techno's vision clears up, they're back in the room and Dream is sitting just a few feet across him, he didn't even realize that he fell on the floor-

His brain is running too fast to assess what just happened, but he was only able to say one thing.

"Dream, what the f****?"

Dream sputters, "I- I didn't know what to do okay I just said the first thing chat told me-"

"Dream, I- that,"

Dream interrupts him with a raised hand "Before that, I wanna ask something-"

Techno braces for whatever deserving accusation his younger brother will throw at him "What is it?"

"The voices, did they quiet down?"

That catches the pinkette off guard- why would-

Quiet

Surprised he looks back to his brother "They're gone."

Chapter Text

They went about the next day like nothing happened. The same for the next day- and the day after that.

When night falls on the third day, Dream puts his cloak on and sneaks out of the window to the same place where he found his cousin the other night. Deciding to not risk it being found on the ground, he sits and stays on the same branch, swinging his feet as he glances at the moon.

"No wonder I didn't notice you, add to that how you tend to be quiet on your feet when you want." He glances down to see Techno emerging from the clearing. Dream playfully scoffs, "I'll take that as a compliment" as he lets the tension melt away from his body, and as quickly as he climbs up, he descends the tree and makes a big show of it by jumping nearly a quarter of the rest of the way. Techno's nose scrunches up. 

"Hi!"

"You're gonna end up scaring the wrong person one day."

"Good, shall we stroll for a bit?"

They ended up talking about what they had been up to, what their plans were for the future, the people they met- anything but the obvious thing they were supposed to talk about. Eventually, they ended up on top of a slope that overlooks the whole Academy. And while admiring the view, Dream recalls a blanket with his spatial magic, something that chat unironically dubs as his 'inventory'

"You've gotten better with that." Techno quips as he helps lay the blanket on the ground. 

"Thanks-" Dream sits down, Techno beside him "By the way, I've only thought about it just now, but are you able to also use it?"

It's not a secret how Techno came to be a part of the family, and neither do any of them care, for as long as Wil, Dream, and Tommy have known, Techno is no one else but their brother. It seems to not bother him as well.

"If all they're willing to sell their child for gold, then it won't matter whether I care for them or not- that being said, in any lifetime I'm sure I'll always choose you guys."

"Awww mate-"

"Aww, we love you too Techie-"

The pinkette shrugs, he raises his hand, and a faint, green light, a tiny bit duller than his or Phil's, surrounds Techno's hand, and then a pocket watch appears after.

"Phil taught me the basics, but he said that's as far as he can show me since the more advanced ones need inheritance by blood."

"Oh, still- that's cool though!"

"Heh."

They let the silence befall them, waiting until they can no longer avoid it anymore.

Techno starts "So…"

"So…" Dream parrots back

"I- I have a lot of questions…"

"It's okay, you deserve to know."

"Those… voices, were they also the ones you were talking to back then when we were kids?"

Dream is surprised by the fact that the other still remembers that, hesitantly he affirms the question by nodding.

"Ah, you seemed to be friendly with them, but from what I've gathered from err… that night you have been with them for a long time, and you weren't exactly on the best of terms from the beginning, have they been with you even before?"

Dream freezes, he's not sure how and what to answer that- chat says that he should just make up a story- that the voices were a curse that had been with him when he was born. But he does not want to antagonize chat- not when the reason they're with him is his fault.

No, all the years he had stayed with them came down to this moment, the moment that he knew would greatly affect the rest of his plans to take the prince down… 

If he plays his cards right he thinks he can do it alone…

He chooses to trust his family.

“It’s long and complicated”

“I can wait-” the older deadpans.

Dream huffs, “Fine- this is the third lifetime I’ve been through.”

Techno blinks “Heah?”

Sighing, the blond continues “Do you remember when we were kids? There was that one book that we were really interested in?”

“Transmigration…” Techno whispers in bewildered “Are you really…”

Dream nods as he hugs his knees and looks towards the view, “I saw the content of the so-called ‘journal’ you know- the one about tech magic?” he buries his head on his knees, fearing to see the look of his cousin’s face “Heh, I never thought I’d see something so unknown here as familiar.”

“Ya know what, that actually kinda makes sense-”

“ WHAT?!” Dream shoots up, face looking more baffled than the pinkette who is more amused than anything.

“I mean it checks out”

“You believe me?”

“Yeah? I mean, I’m not gonna lie, I don’t think anyone, no matter how genius they are- can immediately get an entirely new concept in just a few weeks, whenever you speak about it, you sound like you’ve known about it your whole life.” 

He ruffles Dream’s hair earning a half-hearted whine from the younger “I believe you- you could have literally made up a story that would be more reasonable than that, well, the truth seems to always be more convoluted than fantasy-”

“But isn’t it too unrealistic?”

“Dream, magic is advancing here so fast that words can literally kill in this world, I don’t think I would be surprised if some portal to another dimension became a thing a few months from now.”

“O h…” 

For some reason… Dream kinda feels really dumb now…

Wow, I didn’t know he was chill like that

I??expected??more??reaction??

I think we were too immersed in Earth’s culture and magic aint a thing there-

But how can you be chill after hearing your pseudo-brother already lived through life more than once-

I mean, Techno is the most chill one in the family honestly…

Touche

“Were the voices already with you back then?”

“Huh?” Dream blinks “Oh, no- it was actually-”

NO PLEASE-

HOW COULD YOU!

Dream, this will be for the future of the kingdom

NO SAVE ME-

YOU TRAITOR

HAVE MERCY PLEASE

MOMMA!

Dream, the sacrifice is worth it.

DON’T KILL MY MOMMA

DREAM! MY HERO!

YOU DON'T DESERVE TO LIVE YOU B******

YOU MONSTER

“-Dream! Dream please look at me-”

As the darkness fades away from his vision, the first thing that Dream sees is pink he knows that color- he knows that shade-

“T-techno?”

A soft voice answers him “Hey buddy, can you breath for me?” He faintly hears someone inhaling and exhaling, and he subconsciously follows, until he can properly breathe again-

“You okay?” the blond nods weakly.

Techno sighs in relief, “Look, you don’t have to tell everything right now-”

Dream shakes his head “No, no- I’m”

『 **clink!**』

┎┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┒

Kid, don’t push
yourself too hard

┖┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┚

Dream hung his head in defeat, “I’m sorry.” both addressed to chat and his cousin.

“Don't apologize, take your time-”

Again, he nods “Okay, we have more pressing matters to look at anyway.”

“Heah?”

“Like how and when the voices started for you.”

“Oh…”

“Well, it was when one day...”

Blood

Blood 

KILL

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD-

“Well at least let us carry half of each other’s burden?”

Wakey wakey mister Bladie-

Never speak that sentence again

LMAOOO

Good morning mister Blade!

Ayo wake up fam, we got s*** to do

EY, LANGUAGE!

Demonetization bruh-

Bruuuuh

For the record, Technoblade is still not used to Dream’s “chat”.

After talking that night, Dream offered that they exchange half of the voices they both have- Techno immediately refuses, he can’t, in his conscience let Dream hear any of the agonies that he hears every day-

But Dream insists, (“I will jump the balcony and climb through the window while you sleep Technoblade Minecraft”) honestly the kid’s threatening skills are eerily familiar, maybe it’s a bad idea to leave him with just Tommy as a companion- He ends up agreeing, how the blond menace did the 'exchange', Techno is not sure- Dream just took his hands and a moment after he started hearing what he presumes is Dream’s disembodied companions.

Don’t think about it too much we also have no idea how he just does these things

Mmm, the interdimensional notebook aside, Dreamie is actually a literal genius when it comes to magic

Heh, we should know,

Ohhh ominous loree??

Oi, careful not to speak things that the kids wouldn’t like spilling-

Yeah, yeah- 

Again, he’s still not used to this.

Sighing he prepares for the day, ‘chat’ is right, there’s much to do.
Today is when they’ll give Dream and Tommy a tour of the academy.