No Friends

❤ No Friends

[2300+ words]

[He/Him pronouns]

[Squid Game AU: Blood mentions, undescriptive death, furry mention, possible other triggers be careful!]

Description: This contest isn't a game between friends. Somehow, you find some anyway. [Dream Team x Reader]

[Read the rest under the cut]

{《☆》}

You worried your lip between your teeth, leaning back against the coarse fabric of your bed. Teams were already forming, people huddled in their own unconsciously divided sections watching stragglers warily. The next game was set to start soon and you hadn't joined a team, an unsettled pit in your stomach every time you thought about picking a side.

There were two large groups, one set of people referring to themselves as "L'Manburg" and another calling themselves "Dream's Ensemble" or something similar. Each leader was a stark division from the other, one team lead by the first number, 001, and the last number, 486, though you didn't remember who had which.

Your own number, 243, was smack dab in the middle of both of the numbers. In a way, the rest of the stragglers considered you their de-facto leader with no one else taking up the mantle. There weren't many who hadn't chosen a side but there was still enough people for you to feel so small for the shoes you were trying to fill.

You tore a piece of your bread apart, shoving it in your mouth with nothing else to do. It wasn't amazing bread, not warm and soft and slightly buttery, but it could've been worse. You've had people give you worse. You took a good look over the people spanning the beds around you. They weren't trustworthy, not truly, you didn't know half of their names and the rest of them were a blubbering mess of weak spots. Weak spots got you killed.

Frowning, you ripped off another piece of bread. As you shove it in your mouth. the disgusting taste of paper hit your tongue. You've eaten enough scrap paper in times of desperation to know the taste of ink smearing your tongue. Spitting it out, you wipe at your tongue with your sleeve and grimace at the slobbery piece of paper in your bread.

'Circle. Triangle. Star. Umbrella.'

It was scrawled in perfect print. on such tiny paper that it was a wonder you ever noticed it. You glanced around, curious if anyone else noticed the odd taste. No, nothing. No one had hunched into themselves reading a tiny pink slip. You were the only one to notice.

Without thinking, you shoved the paper in your mouth. It wasn't a good taste but you had a feeling the slip had something to do with the next challenge. Shoving the rest of the bread in your mouth, you chugged the rest of your milk and wiped your mouth. The next challenge would be starting soon, you should probably try to make some alliances, however strained.

"Hi," Someone walked up to you before you could move, white-rimmed sunglasses pushed high up their nose. Their light brown hair was bouncing with their steps. "I don't think we've talked yet."

"No," You affirm, briefly looking over their shoulder and catching the stone-faced leader staring back. Goosebumps trailing your neck, you twist your head up to look in 404's eyes from your low position on your bed. "I'm Y/N. No last name."

"George, last name not needed." They said, lips quirked up with amusement. "So, I'm only asking because Dream told me to but would you like to join the Dream SMP."

"No," You said without needing to think. You could join, but they had a target painted on their back by L'Manburg and it was drama unneeded. "I appreciate the offer but I'd rather stay a neutral party for now."

George didn't look surprised at all. "I thought so," he said, solidifying your guess. "You don't seem the type to instantly join a fight. You'd watch and wait for the right moment to join. Dream didn't think so but he's a stupid American."

"You're oddly observant," You say in lieu of a response.

"And so are you." George did smile this time. a sweet little thing, shy but heart-warming. "Word of advice, don't wait too long. You sit around the entire time and people won't need you. You'd be another death in a game where people stopped keeping track."

You look at George, really look at him, and he is unassuming with his too-large zip-up hoodie that wasn't his and his boyish, charming features. There is a sharpness to his face though, sharp teeth hiding behind soft lips and edges that could cut steel. His eyes, barely noticeable with the sunglasses. see too much with a smart glint that has you wondering what he doesn't know. He tips his head to you, face going back to an impasse.

"See you after the game," His voice is solid, confident. You are confident too.

{《☆》}

You pick a triangle and it is the easiest decision you've made in a while. George greets you with a tip of his head, already leaning back into a bed when you're done. Dream is looking at you over his shoulder and the goosebumps are back.

Settled down in your own corner of the nobodies, you don't expect anyone to bother you until gunshots start ringing out. But someone does, shaking your shoulder and then leaping back when you swing your leg at them.

"Woah," 034 has their hands raised in the air, a large distance between the two of you. They have a bandana wrapped around their head, swaying with them as they lean back. "Sorry dude didn't mean to startle you."

"Whatever, why are you here?" You grumble, a bit peeved at being woken up.

"Uh, oh, Dream wanted to see if you changed your mind." They laugh nervously, scratching at their neck as they look back. Dream is staring at both of you, eyes slanted in an oddly personal way as he meets your eyes. His eyes are a hazel type, with a warm brown circling the pupil but a forest green mixed at the edges. They're like steel as they trace your face, searching for any emotion that will give away your thinking.

"I don't know," You look back at 034, not missing their minuscule flinch from your stoic gaze. "Depends. Has it been long enough?"

They sway in place, switching from the balls of their heels to the tips of their toes anxiously. Not meeting your eyes directly, 034 shrugged. "Maybe, dunno. Not up for me to decide."

You hum, watching 034's hair tilt and fall to cover their eyes, black hair sucking the light out of the world around them. Their white bandana is the only divide you can notice in his hair, too many dark shades blended together to tell which parts fluff up or twist sporadically. He's the type to look dangerous at first glance, sharp features and burning eyes that solder fear into your heart. But he's nothing without a fearless leader to command him. He is a right-hand man but nothing more. It does not make him useless, just troublesome.

"No, not yet," You look back at Dream, smiling with no emotions. He doesn't look different, still staring at you indescribably, just with his lips twisted down and pressed into a thin line.

{《☆》}

A fight breaks out at night. It shocks you awake as your bed shakes with the force of a body slamming into it. People are screaming, crying, bleeding out in front of you. The sheets you were sleeping on are white but the floor around you is not so lucky.

Dodging past a crazy person whose attacking wildly, you spot the two main groups attacking each other. Sharp edged bottles cracked up for weapons, metal bars from the beds gripped tight in small hands.

You squint down at them, stepping closer to the scene. Dream, George, and 034 are leading the fight, all sporting weapons against the relatively young adults that make up L'Manburg, carving lines into cheeks and stabbing shallow wounds into tripped people. You don't know if anyone even has a team when everyone's attacking at wild.

Kicking a bloodthirsty man towards the fight, he's taken down in seconds by an angry dutch man screaming something about furries. Blood pools around their body and you take the brief second to leap down and take their weapon off of them. Slick metal, dripping with blood, is wiped down with your shirt before you try using it. It wouldn't be useful if it fell out your hands the second you tried using it, would it?

You keep towards the outskirts, attacking anybody who gets close. They tend to scramble off quick enough, looking for bigger fish to fry. That is until an oddly tall British man leaps down from a bed and faces you.

"So, you're the person Dream's been trying so hard to get." 486 comments almost idly, bored in fact. "If I'm honest, you don't look like much. Too weak, don't look too smart, I'm honestly surprised you made it this far."

He's not entirely wrong. You hadn't entirely expected to make it this far either, after so much time spent not doing anything productive this felt like too much progress. It felt good to be good at something, but you're also struggling to keep it up.

"You're not all that either," You snap, aiming desperately for an insult to land. Your words sound so familiar to you and it takes you a second to realize they're words you tell yourself. "You're smart sure but your not a leader. Your followers won't respect you when you start losing. You're a phony."

486 grits his teeth as the words hit their mark, arms flexing as they grip their weapon tighter. "Shut up."

You dodge a hard swing, knowing now that you two are more alike than you had thought. You dig deep into the darkness of your brain, pouring every taunting insult you've been told into a mold for a weapon sharp enough to hurt 486. "Why? Afraid of facing the truth that you're building yourself too high. When you fall, no one is going to catch you."

"Shut up!" 486 yelled, face flushed a hundred shades of fury. They swing again and this time you cannot dodge their long arms. Large shards of glass stick out from your arm, cracks in the glass as you drop to the floor. 486 stands over you, looming with a wicked sneer. "You're just a pest. A stupid fucking-!"

Someone bodily slams into 486 with a battle cry, using their metal bed post to hold 486 prisoner against the wall. You take a harsh breath in, stilted like the fear ripped your lungs open. As you open your eyes again, George is standing in front of you. He smiles, a cheeky little smug smile that flushes his cheeks pink. "Saw you needed some help, it's not too early is it?"

"Right on time," You said with an airy breath. George reached down and pulled you up, his soft hands cold against yours carefully. He didn't let go and neither did you. "I'm very much reconsidering my neutral stance," Glancing back at George, you smirked a bit. "After all, I need my knight in shining armour to keep me safe."

George laughed, his cheeks alight with embarrassment. Brushing it aside for his own good, he smiled, "I'm glad you've decided to join."

Looking over at 034, he was wiping off sweat as 486 scrambled towards 213. They looked up, meeting your eyes and smiling. "Glad you're alright now, you looked pretty shit during that. I mean, you're hot and all but blood doesn't look good on anyone." They shake their head before laughing. "So, where's Dream?"

George shook his head fondly, "You're an idiot, Sapnap."

Sapnap grinned, sharp-fanged and welcoming. "You love me."

"Go away," Letting go of your hand, George pushed Sapnap's face away roughly. As Sapnap ambled back to Dream, George looked back at you. Softening, he smiled sweetly at you, raising a hand to brush someone's blood of of your face.  "I'm glad you're not just a number. Like, really glad."

You laugh and reach up to hold his hand, leaning into it more than socially acceptable. "I'm glad you aren't either." When you let go, George keeps your fingers linked. He bats away wild attacks, pulling you behind him often.

Dream meets your eyes as you walk into their metal barricade. Their stone cold face breaks into a smug little smile. "I told you so, George."

"Whatever, Dream, go get Ponk," George rolled his eyes, meeting your eyes as Dream happily ambles towards another fellow.

The brunet rolls his eyes fondly. "Dream's prideful. He was so sure you'd join us."

"Well I did, so he's not wrong." You look over at the man whose face seems to be naturally blank. He looks back and as both of your eyes meet he smiles, a softer but very wrong look from the man.  Maybe he's just one of those people with a creepy smile. That does sound fitting.

There is a certain relief that comes with being able to let others make your choices. Having people stare at you, expecting and waiting, it makes your skin itch with the weight. Sapnap seems to feel the same, watching Dream, who takes the feeling in stride and thrives, waiting for an order to attack, to wait, to sleep, anything. It's sort of like he's a puppy.

Smiling at your own thought, imaging Sapnap with floppy dalmatian like ears, you slump back into George's shoulder. The brunet doesn't seem to care, too busy wiping blood off of his metal pole. Sapnap looks over, meeting your eyes with his own wide smile. Definitely a dog-boy.

"The fighting seems to be dying down," Dream says, looking down at you from where he now stands at your side. They twist their pole in their fingers, like it's easy to manipulate in theihands. "You two can rest. Me and Sap can take the first shift."

"Thanks Dream," George says, instantly standing to curl in the bed withing the fort. "Come on, Y/N."

"Alright," You stand, brushing dust off of your bloody clothes. Maybe it was counter-productive. "Thanks for the save again, Sapnap."

"Anytime handsome," He laughs, nodding you away to sleep.

Pillow next to George's, you think that maybe you should've joined sooner.

{《☆》}

[And then Dream betrays you all and goes on to die at Tommy's hands in the last game. /j]

[Second post this week wtf happened to having an upload schedule me. Anyway next post should be a little mermaid au with *someone* I'm not sure yet I'm already 1.5k words in ahdkgakf]

[Just as a forewarning! Uploads are out of order so something I said a chapter ago could've been from months ago! I'm thinking of adding dates to my post just so everyone is aware that somethings I've said are out of date! Also please keep commenting some of you are funny af]

[L0v3, k1ng]

Masterlist

Taglist: @creatorofstars

❤ Little Flame

[2900+]

[he/him pronouns]

Description: The demonic kingdom of Ouphara is your home, as the prince should know no other. But now that home is full of a bunch of stuffy old humans. You'll tolerate them though, only because your precious twin flame BadBoyHalo is with them. (Badboyhalo x male reader)

[Read the rest under the cut]

{《☆》}

You lounge across your older sisters bed, her annoying highness sitting at her dresser as she applied some of the human makeup she recently took a liking to.

"I don't get why we even need to host the festival when we could've had one at the overworld like we usually do." You said, vocally complaining as you have been for the last half hour.

"The council said a festival would help human relations. We want them as allies, remember." She put extra emphasis on 'allies'.

"Besides," she adds on. "Your Twin Flame will he there, is he not? Sir Halo?"

You brighten up instantly, remembering your little flame's letter about coming to visit. He even provided his dressing colours, to match. "He is. Arriving with the humans and leaving a day after the Archangels." Exactly 13 days.

Your sister nodded in approval. Anna and Bad had always had an odd and complicated relationship, leaning towards hate-filled respect for one another. You aren't very sure when or how it started, just that it did. If Bad hadn't stayed at least a week, Anna would use it as an excuse to ban him from the kitchen for his entire life.

"Now, Y/N, when the humans get here you'll be on your best behaviour, you hear me?" She very much threatens you. Then in a quieter but still warning tone, she whispers. "We don't want a repeat of your 7th Circle dance when you-"

"I will literally choke you in your sleep, ᓭ⍑⚍ℸ ̣ ⚍!¡ Anna!" You yell, your eyes shine with magic even if you'd never actually hurt her.

Anna rolls her eyes, (e/c) just like yours and just like your mothers were. She stands with practised grace, smoothing out wrinkles on her suit. It's one of your mother's old ones, her favourite at one point if you recall correctly.

"Both the humans and the Nephilim should be arriving soon." Anna reminds you. "So hurry down unless you want to miss your little flame."

You fall back against the bed as she leaves, mind filled with ideas of how your reunion could go. He'll walk through the entrance in his dazzling suit with his charming and shy smile and you'll be waiting there for him. Bad would run up to you, his beautiful smile spread wide over his face. When you lean down, pressing your horns together and sharing your flames for the first time in months.

You almost trilled in delight at the thought.

The idea spurred you to dress quicker, excited for your reunion. You hurried past servants who nodded in respect before you left.

You could feel him getting closer, but so was another, smaller, piece of his flame. In the body of another, vaguely human body.

You floated down the stairs, tucking your wings under your cloak. Your sister was already there, greeting early arrivals with an easy smile.

You bounced on your heels, glancing over the shoulder of every person you greeted. Bad and his mini were close, close enough that you should've been able to see him already. He was shorter than you but not that short.

Anna gives you a 'suck-to-suck' look over a diplomats shoulder as you pout. But then she starts grinning. With an amused smirk, she nods to something behind you.

You turn around and see a human-sized Bad walking through the main entrance.

Shrinking wasn't something you usually (or at all) did but if Bad wanted to be tiny you'd play along. You may be a bit enthusiastic about throwing your human-sized self at Bad but he catches you anyway.

"Wha-?" Your little flame was so confused it was adorable.

"Little flame," You trill happily. Knocking your hornless head against his is odd in human form but you hope it still holds the same meaning. "I've missed you!"

Even in human form, you are taller than him, leaning down so that he can knock heads back. Your darling twin flame pulls away after a second, looking over at a tiny gaggle of humans who watch you two with odd eyes.

A tiny human, albeit taller than Bad, was the one who held a piece of Bad's flame. They wore a white headband and a shirt with a flame on it. They looked young with scrappy bits of hair on their jaw.

You gasped, immediately realizing what it meant. You warble excitedly, a strange noise from a human body you're sure, and head to them. They step back but cannot stop your hugging abilities.

"A nestling! Oh, how adorable~!" You cooed, keeping your face soft and comforting. You turn to Bad, your nestling safely tucked into your wing.

He sighs fondly, waving a hand at the humans who had drawn their weapons. "Y/N drop Sapnap."

"But- he's our nestling! A baby flame!" You whined, scratching at your nestling's hair. They melt into it, leaning onto you heavily.

"Sapnap is an adult in human years, Y/N." Bad tries. When he sees it got him nowhere, he tries again. "And he hasn't eaten so if you don't let him go, he can't eat. Then you'll be hurting him."

You squawk in protest, instantly letting your nestling go. Sapnap stumbles back, blinking like an upset child. He looks like he'll try to stumble back over to you before he seems to shake it off.

"What... was that?" A masked human asks. He looks as young as your nestling... "Who are you?"

Bad steps over to you, knocking your heads together briefly. They have a small, shy smile, the one you love so dearly. "This is Y/N, he's my, oh what's the human word... um, soulmate? Yes! Y/N is my soulmate!"

They all seem to blink at the news. Then Sapnap, 'your nestling,' a part of you cooed, starts smiling widely.

"You actually exist!" He laughs. "I thought Dad was just crazy for a while but you're actually real!"

Then he pauses, his face going soft. "So... You're my... other dad? Patér? Baba?"

"You can call me whatever you'd like, baby flame." You may intentionally soothe them with your flame. A nestling's instinct calm near their blood flames. Sapnap is like putty, slinking over to your side slowly.

"Y/N!" Bad yells, startling people around you.

You pout, pulling back. The humans seemed to feel it too and shook it off slowly. "Can we head to the kitchen now? Baby Flame needs to eat."

Bad glances at the rest of the humans. "We have to bring all of my friends."

You frown. Your nestling nods along though so you sigh. "Okay, bring the humans along. But they can't touch anything."

"We won't." The masked one promises. They glare back at a tiny blond and an even tinier goat boy. "Ranboo keep an eye on the other two."

That isn't very reassuring.

You brush it aside, holding hands with Bad. They silently link your fingers together. You offer your flame to him, ready to share in its sacredness even if only for a second.

Bad glanced back at the humans who were trailing you and pulled away. You frowned down at the ground. Well fine then, if he wanted to be like that you'd ignore him too.

Sapnap blinked up at you, still close to your side "So, are you really 12 feet tall?"

You started grinning widely. "Oh, baby flame, I'm 13'7 feet tall."

"That is so cool!" He bounced on his feet. "That's even taller than Dad."

You laughed, "Of course I am! Bad is tiny, even compared to the ᔑ∷ᓵ⍑ᔑリ⊣ᒷꖎᓭ ."

In front of you Bad flushed. You used to constantly tease his short stature but you had also assured him you loved it. But that was of course before he travelled to the overworld.

The half-half one tilted their head at you, eyes wide though that was a permanent condition of most Enders. He looked even younger than your baby flame, you almost wanted to coo. "⊬⍜⎍ ⌇⌿⟒⏃☍?"

"⟟ ☊⏃⋏, ⊬⟒⌇." You did coo softly. Their name was Ranboo if you recalled correctly. He was practically a nestling too, even if not yours. "⍙⊑⟒⍀⟒ ⟟⌇ ⊬⍜⎍⍀ ⊑⏃⎍⋏⏁⟟⋏☌, ⌰⟟⏁⏁⌰⟒ ⍜⋏⟒?"

"⌰⍜⌇⏁." Ranboo warbled, distressed particles falling off of him. "☊⏃⋏'⏁ ⍀⟒⋔⟒⋔⏚⟒⍀."

"Hey!" The tiniest human, the one with horns, glared at you. "What are you saying to him."

He was protective of the tall one, you realized quickly. How cute.

"He is confused. His memory worsens the longer he is away from the ⎅⍀⏃☌⍜⋏ ⋔⍜⏁⊑⟒⍀." You would've kept talking but you all had finally arrived at the kitchen.

The place was bustling, demon's shuffling past you with exotic foods on platters.

A plate of Enderian foods passed by and you spotted Ranboo's eyes trailing after it. You plucked off a chorus fruit, nodding in thanks to the waiter.

"Here, ⌰⟟⏁⏁⌰⟒ ⍜⋏⟒," You handed it to him with your best human smile. Ranboo didn't seem to mind your toothy grin, an excited shine in his lidless eyes.

A tiny blond human peeks out of Ranboo's side like in one of those human cartoons, watching with narrowed eyes. "What're you giving Ranboob?"

"Chorus fruit," You gesture to the plates of food still left. Despite being told not to steal food repeatedly by your sister, you picked up another chorus fruit with a wicked smile. "Try some."

The protective one snatched one too, like a little nestling hoarding food. He even had the little horns too! They shoved it in their mouths, eyes glowing purple before simultaneously they both teleported.

You and Bad snickered like nestlings. As growing flames, you'd give chorus fruit to unsuspecting diplomats. One would think precious little Bad Boy Halo wouldn't do pranks but if only they knew you had been his first target since you were nestlings.

Ranboo giggled too, already aware of what happened. The blond appeared only a few feet to the left, right next to Sapnap. But the horned one went further, seven feet away, onto a mostly empty countertop with one of their feet in human mash potatoes.

"Pff-!" The blond laughed, high pitched and loud. "Look! Your- your freaking foot!"

The horned one glared at the blond, not even lifting his foot out of the mash.

"I mean," Ranboo snickered into his hand. "You do look pretty ridiculous Tubbo."

"I will kill you in your sleep and eat your organs," Tubbo said with a sinister smile. Then they tilted their head to the golden one. "And Tommy, stop laughing at Ranboo or you'll be next."

Tommy went stock still. It was hilarious how terrified he was of someone so tiny.

"Nestling- Baby Flame!" You interrupt, calling out to Sapnap. He blinked up at you, all soft edges and warm colours. "Come eat, ʖᔑʖ|| ⎓ꖎᔑᒲᒷ ."

"And you too," You turn towards Ranboo. "Growing flames cannot feast on air."

Ranboo stares, his head tilted like a confused hell-hound. "More fruit?"

Tubbo and Tommy saddled up to Ranboo's sides. "More fruit." It wasn't a question and that probably amused you more.

You glanced to the side where the piglin and the angel stand; the angel golding up a human who looked horribly bored. "Would you like something too?"

"Yes!" The human said, pushing their glasses back.

"Wil, I don't-!"

"Shh! Don't decline the free food, birdza," Wil said happily, having already flipped Phil's cloak over their eyes. They go oddly still until the piglin sighs and flips it back over. Phil blinks rapidly like he just suddenly woke up.

"Birdza," Tommy and Tubbo whisper in unison. "Crowfather, crowfather, crowfather."

The most ironic part might be that Phil was obviously a Raven. You give Bad a look that makes him giggle, "Well, help yourself to anything."

"Are you sure we're allowed to eat this?" The pretty brown-haired human asked, peeking over Tubbo's shoulder. They had a cute little mushroom pin that matched with Sapnaps. How cute!

"Of course we can. Who's gonna tell their prince no." You wave your hand dismissively. Turning back to the counter, you pick up a platter of golden apples; safe for every species.

"What?!?" Most of them yelled even Tommy who had already shoved a golden apple in his mouth. Sapnap stared at you in disbelief. "You're a prince?"

You blink, "Yes? You didn't know this?"

"Well, you didn't tell them, you silly muffinhead!"Bad shook his head like he was any better.

"You didn't tell them either! ᒲᒷᔑリ╎ᒷ !" You pout, you sulk over to Sapnap. It's easier to force nestlings to eat than it is arguing with Bad. For someone so short, he held a lot of stubbornness. You shove the golden apples in Sapnap's face. "Eat."

He picks it up slowly, turning to the brunet. "Want one, George?"

"Sure," They shrug, unphased. They pluck it out of Sapnap's hand but it's done so easily that you're sure they've done it before. Sapnap then plucks another two golden apples off the platter. Your nestling takes a large bite out of one before he moved to hand it to the masked one. Sapnap bumps both of their shoulders and your grin widens.

You had suspected a bond! How pleased you were to be right.

Quickly the golden apples were taken until only two were left. You spotted Ranboo and his friends picking at more chorus fruit. You look toward Bad. After a second's hesitation, you hand Bad a golden apple. He looks at it, face soft but still guarded.

Slowly, scared like a skeleton cat, he held out a hand to you. With gentle movement, he pulls you closer. His human hands are rough, calloused as they rub circles into your hips. It tickles in a way, the light hold that lingers over your skin. You hardly realized human skin was that sensitive until now. Bad goes closer until your foreheads are pressed together in a way your horns would never allow, a gentle rumbling in his chest so soft that even you can barely hear it.

He doesn't say anything, just holds your waist like he's scared you'll pull away. You could if you wanted to. It's warm being held in his arms, a weird sort of warmth compared to the burning heat that powers everyone in the Nether. It feels so nice, being held. He croons softly, a childish little noise that makes your insides gooey.

"M'sorry about earlier," he mutters to you, just for you. You can feel his flames flickering in his chest, gentle as they curl around his fingertips and press into your skin. His flames cannot hurt you, you've always known, and as they spread across your skin like soft kisses you can almost hear the apology they are giving you too. "I'm still- I know we aren't growing flames anymore but I still feel like we're back in the Academy with those mean muffin heads. I'm scared even though I know they'd never... But I'm still sorry."

"It hurt when you rejected me earlier." You say, not to add to his guilt but because you're being honest. "But I know what you mean. Apology accepted, little flame."

"Not little," he mutters half-heartedly. He nuzzles his nose into yours, truly like a skeleton cat. You brush your own flame over his arm, fingers wrapped around gentle human skin as you brush swirls of flames and embers that flicker around his arm. It curls around his shoulder, invisible to everyone but you two.

Or, you suddenly realized, three. Well, Sapnap politely keeps silent about it so you let it go on for another few seconds before pulling back. Bad smiles at you, his little fangs peeking out.

"Your royal highness," A chef calls to you, flour and something unnamed dirtying her apron. "Her Majesty the Queen has asked for you and your companions to head to the dining hall. And-" she hesitates, "her majesty would like Sir Halo to know that when the festivities are over she will, uh, beat his ass in the courtyard for not saying hello to her."

You cackle in glee, excitedly clapping your hands together. "Oh what a sight that will be." Turning towards the humans, you smile widely. "Well now, let's not dawdle. Anna is what you humans call a bitch when angry!"

They follow easily, in a quiet line behind you and Bad as you hum a demonic tune to yourself. When you reach the large doors to the dining hall, propped open enough for you to spot your sister in her golden throne.

"Alright Bad, time to morph!"

The humans can hardly ask or even say anything before you and Bad start rapidly growing. Now you're sure they've seen Bad morph at least once or twice, but the way they're staring at you is a bit awkward. It's like they've never seen any other human-Esque being suddenly multiplied in height.

With a wicked grin, you stretch your wings. The leather is so uncomfortable when it sticks together so the moment cool air brushes past them, you sigh happily. "Alright, let's go!"

The humans blink before they seemingly shake it off. Sapnap grins up at you as he passes through the doors ahead of you, truly your baby flame is the cutest.

Soon it is just you and Bad. Finally, you pull him closer and knock your horns together. He trills happily, lovingly. As you pull apart, you brush a sharp nailed finger across his cheek. "Welcome back, little flame."

"Glad to be back," he says before pressing a sweet kiss to your lips. It makes your flames grow soft as he pulls away with flame lit cheeks. The phantom feeling of his apple flavoured taste on your tongue makes you impatient for the dinner to end. "Let's go before Anna sends guards after us again."

"I'd freeze her if she tries," You say even as you head towards the doors. Bad rolls his eyes at you but he still links his fingers through yours.

{《☆》}

[This is my longest fic... I wrote it all in my notebook... I hate all of you /lh]

[I can't remember what I've told you guys and what I haven't but I'm back in school so free time for me is sporadic, especially since my doggo gave birth to 4 puppies. I'm mainly focusing on rewriting my outline for Distance so everything I'll post is like pre written from before I hated my plot line.]

[N e ways I did a lot of "worldbuilding" for demons while simultaneously not knowing a thing about demons. I am not a religious person. I am simply pulling things from nowhere and also Pinterest.]

[L0v3, k1ng]

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐛𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐱 𝐌!𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫)

𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐.

{《☆》}

𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘸𝘬𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥, 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘦𝘴. "𝘚𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦."

𝘏𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘥, 𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘥 𝘢𝘪𝘳, 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥. "𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦."

{《☆》}

CHAPTER TWO IS OUT !!

The schedule is now set to once a week, every saturday! :3

[L0v3, k1ng]

DOING THIS ON MAIN FOR REACH OR SMTH IG

GO LISTEN TO PEBBLE BRAIN ON YOUTUBE AND ALSO STREAM IT IF ITS OUT WHERE YOU ARE GO GO GO GO

LOVEJOYS EP IS OUT WHOOOOOOO

❤ Sweet Summer Sun

(He/him pronouns)

(1000+ words)

Description: On a hot summer day, you and Eret are enough. (Eret x M!Reader)

[Read the rest under the cut]

{《☆》}

You meet his eyes across the room. The dim lighting makes them glow, gentle off-white that bounces off his dark curls. Eret leans back against the wall, smooth lips curled and you’re suddenly thrown back to just a few weeks ago.

The horrid summer heat beats down against your skin, long blades of grass scratching at your cheeks as you lie in the field across the caramavan. His hands press to your forehead, pulling hair from your face painlessly, his beautiful smile tugging at his lips despite his attempts at serious soldier man. You press your face closer to his hands despite the heat, his cool hands are a nice reprieve from the heat actually.

“Hello, darling” His smooth voice, deep and gentle and oh so loving, is laced with that thin line of annoyance and amusement. “Aren’t you supposed to be making potions with Fundy?”

“Got bored, Fundy said we should ditch so we did,” You yawn, stretching your neck a bit and fixing yourself until you leaned nicely on Eret’s hand. “‘M not sorry, got to see you.”

Eret laughs, a loud, shoulder’s shaking laugh. It’s so endearing every time, the way his eyes crinkle every time he smiles and the gentle rumble in his chest with every giggle. He’s like quick sand to you, everything about him has you falling deeper and deeper, willingly letting yourself fall into everything that makes Eret himself. Letting yourself drown in everything that makes him perfect to you.

He strokes your cheek, brushing wet grass that still tries to cling to your skin off easily. “You’re such a flatterer, my darling.”

“Just for you,” You pressed a kiss to his palm. Looking back up, his eyes have gone soft and the beautifully strong white glow that you’ve come to love is shining a dull pink. You laugh, completely smitten with how openly his emotions are written to you. On a silver platter, Eret leaves his whole world out for you to judge.

“Such a flirt,” he mutters softly, leaning down to kiss you.

“Ew! Tubso, you see that! It's disgusting.” Tommy’s annoyingly familiar voice interrupts you two. “Imagine being in love. Oh mew mew mew mew mew I’m Y/N and I’m a simp for Eret.”

“Love is disgusting,” Tubbo nods along, both of them still dressed in their uniforms. Their thick clothing, by their own design, is made to hide the fact that they are men at all. Their own decision because, apparently, all men should die. They thought is so strongly they made it a "TommyInnit Rule". It was rather funny when Tubbo ended up screaming ‘don’t do men’ at Fundy saying ‘Rules should be like, don’t do x.’. And despite their love of women, romance was disgusting and Tubbo had sworn off ever getting married.

Eret chuckled at their antics as they got closer, his sunglasses back on his face. They brushed a hand through your hair one last time before standing at full height. Great, now you were the only one on the ground. “Tommy, Tubbo, what brings you boys here?”

Tommy groaned. “Wil sent us here. ‘Parently he caught Fundy and wants Y/N to go back.”

“Nooooooo!” You whined, staring up dreadfully at the sky. Tubbo peeked over your head, blocking out the sun thankfully enough. “Tubbo, my friend, join the dark side. We have nap time.”

Tubbo nodded seriously. “No one can say no to nap time.” Plopping down next to you, he shuffled to rest his head on your stomach. 

“But Tuubooooo! Wilbur will kill me if I join the dark side.” Tommy whined, his braces catching the light of the sun. He pouted, looking every bit the child he declined being daily.

“No one said you had to join,” Tubbo propped one eye open, a shit eating grin on his face. “In fact, I don’t even want you here. Leave.”

“Wha-” Tommy spluttered indiginetly. “No! Actually I’ll stay here all day now!” He said it so proudly, like he was outsmarting Tubbo and not the other way around.

Tubbo playfully cried, “I’ve been fooled!”

Tommy threw himself over you, his chest thrown over your legs as he rested his head on his arms. Once situated comfortably, he purred contently, his ears fluffing up in that adorable way you’ve gotten used to.

Eret watches you three softly, something more than love in his eyes. You aren’t sure how you can tell at this point, but you can. They sit on the ground by your head, fixing their coattail so that it doesn’t get dirty. Well, dirtier.  “Darling, I’m half convinced you’ve sold your soul to Prime for the ability to control Tommy.”

“I wish I had that ability,”You laugh, rubbing Tommy’s ears between your fingers. The boy grunts at you, a low growl in his throat that’s squeaked out with another purr. They had tried faking that bluff one too many times. “Sadly all I can do is get him to take a nap.”

“That’s more than anyone else can do. Imagine me telling him to nap, he’d curse me out and then laugh.” Eret paused, a considering frown on his lips. “Anyone besides Wilbur.”

“Wilbur is a magical man,” You agreed. Truly, you didn’t know how he did it. Managing to get Tommy of all kids to listen to him, to follow him. An unmatched experience.”Now stop talking words and lay down with me.” Making grabby hands at him, your words were a threat.

Eret chuckled. They interlaced your hands and pressed kisses to the back of your hands. Finally they sat down, lifting your head onto their thigh. “Get some rest, darling.”

“M’kay my sweet prince,” You yawned, patting his cheek softly. Eret leaned down and kissed you softly before pulling away. With his hands brushing through your hair you closed your eyes.

When you opened your eyes it’s not to the hilarious sight of Wilbur chewing out your boyfriend, it’s to the Dream Team standing in front of you. They don’t hesitate to attack and in seconds Wilbur dies in front of you.

Eret stands behind them all, glasses raised high on his face. “Down with the revolution boys. It was never meant to be.”

He looks away and Sapnap stabs you through the stomach in your pause. The sword is cold, everything is cold actually, but you think that maybe the betrayal of Eret’s betrayal hurts more than anything.

{《☆》}

[I hope I hurt you.]

[Wilbur is streaming rn and ahkfhajs my dog hates him she gave me the stink eye for stopping her pets to open his stream]

[Anyways! Next post should be a Squid Game AU DT x Reader! Now bye bye my beloveds! Take care of yourselves!!!

[L0v3, k1ng]

Masterlist

Taglist: @creatorofstars

Wildest Wills 💜

[He/him pronouns]

[3600+ words]

Description: You and your sister Cairo are on your way to the Antartic Empire to stay with family. There is some trouble along the way. (Muffinteers x M!Reader)

[Read the rest under the cut]

{《☆》}

"Cairo," you call, throwing a stick into the slowly growing fire. "It's getting late, kid."

Your sister's tent remains closed though, quiet even when she'd usually be complaining loudly about spending another night in the woods. You stretched quietly, almost letting it go if not for something in your head nagging at you.

"Hey, kid? You asleep already?" You glanced back at the fire, where you should be keeping watch as she slept. Stepping over a log you pushed aside a flap of the tent. Xyr bedroll was empty, xry covers still neatly set up and practically untouched.

"Well, shit..."

{《☆》}

Wiggling xyr fingers awkwardly, she tried to pull xry hand out of the tight knots. Xry socks scrapped against the floor as she hung, they were undoubtedly ripped which she was slightly upset about, they were xyr favourite pair. Cairo knew with hindsight that leaving xyr brother behind was the worst decision she could've made.

Huffing, she stopped for a moment to breathe. It was so stupid. All she wanted was to have a little fun and maybe steal a few gold coins off of them and they kidnap xem. Xyr pouch was tucked into one of the backpacks in front of xyr, so they were the real thieves. There were at least 4 copper coins that they were taking and not to mention the ugly one pocketing xyr dagger!

She was so going to tell her brother one of them hit on xyr. They are so going to regret kidnapping xyr. 

When she finally managed to pull xyr thumb out, one of xem kidnappers came out of the tent they had been talking in. She puffed xyrs chest out and glared, xyr heart beating as they walked over anyway.

"So, we've decided to kill you!" They clap their hands together enthusiastically, a wide grin on their face before they burst out laughing. "No, we're not. But you should've seen the look on your face! Hilarious. Anyway, we're going to keep you! Or Stevie'll keep you, she was adamant on not letting you die or selling you so this is the next best thing! You should thank her!"

"What?" She said, head spinning. They laughed again, less insane this time, and turned to leave. "Wait! What-? You can't-"

"We can, we are." They shrugged and ducked to get back in the tent.  She glared at the offending green, gritting xyr teeth as it stayed upright.

Looking up, she stood as tall as she could and started yanking xyr hand out. Dirt got in xyr socks as she managed to get a free hand. Pulling at the rope with xyr hand was so much easier than xyrs earlier nonsensical wiggling and she pulled it out quickly. Glancing back at the tent, she riffled through the bags and pulled out both xyr pouch and a pretty pink pouch and started running. 

She started off north, both pouches wound tightly closed and packed into xyr waistband. Cairo didn't even know if xyr brother was in that direction and ran with blind hope.

{《☆》}

You pressed your sword into the healer's neck, casting a critical eye around the campsite. The group of freelance mercenaries was beaten and forced on their knees. "Where is my sister?"

The tallest one laughed nervously, their eyes, violet eyes, darting around the camp and settling on a set of ropes before darting back to you quickly. They didn't have xyr then, but they had. The healer, who was crying pitifully, blurted out an answer. "We sold her."

"You're lying to me," you growled. "Now tell the actual truth or I'll chop your head off."

"I'm sorry." They gasped, breathless as they trembled. "She ran off. I don't know what way. Please don't kill me."

You dropped her to the ground and kicked her as a warning. They were useless to you now if she had already gotten out. If you were a stronger man, maybe you'd have killed them for it, but you weren't a killer yet and you didn't want them to be the first blood on your hands.

Wrapping your own rope around their wrists, you pulled them just a bit too tight. You may not kill them but they still took your sister.  

Hands wound tightly around your necklace, you followed your sister's trail with swift feet. Xyr movements were jerky and panicked, wrapping around a tree twice before they ducked into a low hanging canopy and started straight forward for what seemed like miles.

Cairo was a fast little gremlin when she wanted to be and it showed by how far you had to walk. But slowly it seemed your compass was honing in xyr position as it swivelled a bit to the left.

Rushing forward, you walked into another campsite with your sword drawn. You could see your sister's back to you, arguing with a masked fellow. "My brother is going to come for me, I don't need your help."

"It could take hours for him to navigate these woods." They stressed, their hand nowhere near their sword at their hip which meant you could knock him out and take Cairo without a struggle. "How would he even know where..."

A sword was pointed at your back, making you straighten up and pivot forward as the unknown swordsman swung too slowly. Keeping the momentum you dashed towards your sister and came sword to sword with the masked man in a hideous lime green cloak. Their mask was more menacing face to face, porcelain that shone like glass with the tiniest cracks and you could see the briefest glance of his tan skin. 

Cairo ducked out of the way, tucked close to you like a little baby bear to their mama. You dodged the dark-haired swordsman with a twirl, making sure to keep xem near you at all times. The masked man managed to get a lucky blow, cutting through your shirt right below where your compass hung around your neck. 

Gritting your teeth, you managed to knock the dark-haired swordsman to their knees and before the masked one could stab you through your kidney you wrapped your arm around the weakened man's neck and pulled them between you two.

"Try anything and I kill him." You threatened. Cairo hesitantly stepped behind you, glancing between all of you. The other's face was impossible to read with a mask on, but their knuckles went white before they dropped their sword.

"Don't you dare." They hissed. 

Narrowing your eyes at him, you took a quick glance back at Cairo. Unluckily for you, your captive grew a pair and elbowed you. Gasping, you kicked out wildly as you started falling backwards. Someone cursed and you took vindictive pleasure in causing them pain before Mask pointed their sword at your neck.

"Stop! Y/N-" Cairo stepped forward but you glared at xem. You glanced between xem and the forest and she obviously caught on. She didn't move though, still in the same place with the one you had previously held captive moving behind her.

Mask put their foot on your stomach and pressed a little too hard, making you gasp for breath. Glaring up at them, you let your grip on your sword go lax and waited.

"Don't ever threaten Sapnap again." His voice was venomous, still laboured with his effort to keep you down. They pressed down harder. "Or it'll be the last thing you do."

Baring your teeth, you heard something snap in the distance. Mask looked over quickly and you forced yourself to roll away. Mask stumbled heavily as 'Sapnap' stepped in front of your sister and towards you. 

"Stop fighting them!" Cairo shrieked desperately, panicked as Dream picked himself up faster than you expected.

"I promised..." You gasped for breath. "That I would protect you. And I intend to keep the damn promise."

"They aren't hurting me! They helped me!" She yells. When you pause, Mask manages to knock you down again and this time he doesn't go lax. Sapnap looks back at xem and his brows furrow. 

"Wait... is this the brother you were talking about?"

"Yes!"

Mask doesn't look away so you don't either. It's a particularly aggressive staring contest, but the fighting is more comfortable than the other stares people give you. Xyr huffs, moving past Sapnap and standing right by your side. "Dream, if you kick my brother again I will curse you."

'Dream' stared you down as he got off you, sword tightly held in his hands. You took a quick breath in and slowly got up, never taking your eyes off of him either. You weren't planning on losing this fight.

One of the voices in your head, the ones you usually try to suppress with varying success, pipes up with a teasing quip. "I really want those hands wrapped around my neck instead of his sword"

Grimacing, it still didn't break you.

"his hands but make it a necklace," another agreed.

"i want those thighs to... anyway"

"/rainbowchat"

"okay but that mask is kinda... ya knowww"

"bonk horny jail for all of you"

You couldn't help but look away. Your voices were making things take a very uncomfortable turn. Coming from the forest, two other men walked out and finally Dream looked away.

Cairo pressed close to you and instantly the voices went back to fussing over xem. You wrapped an arm around xem even though your arm was as sore as the rest of you. Goggles and Hoodie, as you dubbed them mentally, were glancing over at you a lot. Dream and Sapnap were probably telling them all about how you got your ass handed to you.

"Are you hurt?" You whisper asked. Cairo shook xyr head, wiggling xyr fingers in a so-so motion.

"Bad, the hoodie guy, gave me some balm for my feet and helped me wash off my rope burns." She whispered back and then gestured down to the new pair of sandals that were obviously too big for xyr feet. Then, in a meeker voice, she said, "I'm sorry for sneaking out."

You shake your head softly, adrenaline already draining. "Right now I'm just glad you're okay." Then, in the same voice your Dad used to speak with, you added. "We will be discussing your punishment later."

She pouted, already aware that she was losing xyr free-range privilege. Now you were going back to the days of kiddy leashes like when she was 8 and in an even worse rebellious phase. At least back than it was easier to pick xem up.

"Hello!" Hoodie, Bad technically but that was a weird name so you weren't calling him that, bounced over to you with a diplomatic smile. "So you're Cairo's brother?"

You nod slowly, you felt awkward standing there without your sword and virtually defenceless against four armed men. "I came here 'cause she was missing."

"Yeah, we found her looking for you after some people took her I suppose," Goggles added. You appreciated the fact that he didn't look you in the face, it was more than amusing especially since it happened so often.

With a mean grin, you said, "I already took care of them. They'll be hogtied in these woods until some bear comes and takes pity on them."

Cairo grins up at you, brushing xyr hair back and mimicking a crazy sign. "Those wackos were a special kind of crazy. Wouldn't be surprised if the bears ran from them."

Despite yourself, you chuckled at your sister's quips. Dream glanced over at you, like he was in disbelief you could perform the most menial task of laughing. The voices whispered in your head, their own, more flirty, or in some cases violent, quips.

You shrugged at him. Bad clapped his hands together, his face a bit off-put but understanding. "Well I know you two probably want to head back home and all but it is getting late. You two can stay here for the night if you want." Then he added on. "And since there are more of us it'd be safer too!"

You looked over at your sister. You didn't particularly like anyone there but Cairo was... well not in the best shape despite the act she put up. Xyr feet were still all bloody and probably a bit torn, xyr clothes in a mess of a state. She'd end up with hypothermia if she tried to go back at night, especially when it hits an all-time low.

"Yeah, I think we should." You finally say. Bad nods along with a pleasing smile, obviously already having your train of thought.

Goggles fixed his, well, goggles, pushing them up with a finger before taking them off altogether to put them back on. "Well, we should probably set up our extra tent then. If you can't tell, we weren't exactly planning to find a pair of homeless strangers in the wood."

"We aren't homeless," You instantly protest, despite the fact that it's technically true.

Goggles gives you an unimpressed look over and your voices instantly choose a new target to simp over until Dream grabs their attention again by scoffing. Although to be fair, in your slightly biased opinion, Goggles was better looking than Dream.

"Well, either way," They gesture to their camp. "We weren't prepared for visitors so we'll need a few minutes to find and set up your tent." He brushed some long pieces of hair behind his ear, giving a quick but pretty smile.

"That's fine. Thank you," You were mentally adding Goggles to the short list of people you'd let the voices simp over. After all, you did have a slight weakness for pretty boys and the voices would simp over just anyone if you didn't give them some fuel, case in point: Dream.

The masked individual was standing tense in front of you, his stare heavy. Dream's hands were tight on his sword, situating himself in front of Sapnap protectively. It was a silent threat to move away, daring you to fight him too,  but he cared more about keeping you away from Sapnap than fighting. How soft of him.

Cairo tugged on your sleeve, reminding you of your own protective streak. Glancing up, you gave a hardly noticeable dip of your head and turned away with your sister still tucked in your side. Who knows if Dream reacted to your silent truce or if he even realized you understood his anger. It didn't matter to you though, you were already helping Goggles (who introduced himself as George) finish the tent.

{《☆》}

Cairo knocked out on xyrs rolled out sleeping bag, tucked in snugly because the voices were extra over-protective of xyr injured state. She was thoroughly exhausted, dozing off seconds after she laid down.

You brushed some of xyrs hair back, gently tracing xyr hairline and cheek bone. You remembered when your Mama used to do this to you, humming a song to you in her native language as she gently traced a line from your nose up to your forehead. When the song came to a close, you'd always be asleep without fail. Mama never got to do that for Cairo, but you could.

Unexpectedly, your tent opens and Hoodie peeks in. "Oh, hi! Sorry to barge in but, uh–, we wanted to have a little group discussion about..."

"Us."

Bad nods, his cheeks flushed with an odd off-white blush. "We'll be around the campfire waiting!"

You glance back at Cairo, hesitating briefly. Chat was vehemently protesting leaving her alone but... you trusted xem. She wouldn't do it again and she knew to run if these men turned out corrupt. Picking up your sword, you awkwardly half crawled half squatted out.

Dream, Sapnap, and George were talking lowly. Quiet enough for you to not hear, unluckily enough.

Chat, however, seems to hear them just fine.

"Ouchie"

"Wow can't believe Dream would insult us like that"

"Smh just like every other yt boy"

"Heart been broke so many times..."

Well, that issue was slightly settled. As you walked over to them, a bit miffed at being insulted behind your back and tired, Hoodie noticed you.

"Hey–" They hesitated.

"It's Y/N." Glancing over at Dream and George, who were both giving you neutral looks. Surprisingly Sapnap was the only one grinning.

"Right." Hoodie coughed, wearing an awkward smile. "Well, please sit. I'm sure we can all have a nice and civil discussion."

Dream coughed, muttering to Sapnap.

"I will literally nuke him"

"If he says 1 more thing about my boy I will just start crying"

"Why do we even crush on yt men anymore we're too good for them"

Again, rude much.

You sat down right next to Bad, who you now had slightly more respect for, across from the Trio themselves. Sapnap gave you a polite smile and George was still the pinnical of neutral but Dream... that man was staring daggers at you. You could feel it.

"So, why was I called here again?" You are very aware you haven't asked yet, but the sentence structuring is better so you're ignoring it. For plot.

Sapnap leaned forward, completely unconcerned by how close he was to the fire. "Well first off, Dream wants an apology."

That was rather blunt, you tilt your head to the side to stare Dream directly in the eye and then back at Sapnap. The voices argue over whether or not Sapnap's toothy, boyish grin makes him simpable or not. Again, at least he's not Dream.

"The masked yt boy failed us we're sapnap stans now"

"Sapnap arson pog?"

"Is he yt? He looks yt"

"arson pog"

"ik dream is yt and evil and all but those arms tho..."

Fine, you would be the better and bigger person. "That's fair. Dream, Sapnap, I apologize for being wrong."

"Not for attacking them?" George asked, a brow raised coolly.

"I'm not sorry for defending Cairo. I didn't know who you were, I didn't care what happened to you." It was easy to explain, however rude and blunt it might sound. Your sister, to you, was of the highest priority. Her safety was number 1 to anything else. If you went back in time with the knowledge you have now, maybe you would've tried a different approach. Without that knowledge, however, you'd do it again in a heartbeat. "I am sorry that I was wrong. Sapnap and Dream weren't harming her, so I apologized."

George gives you a slow look before shrugging. "Good enough."

"I accept the apology!" Sapnap chuckled good-naturedly. How he was so easy going was odd, but the voices cooed warmly so you let it go. "No permanent harm done, all is forgiven."

"I suppose I understand." Dream nodded, his voice short and clipped. It seemed your apology hadn't managed to thaw his entire, frozened neutral persona but at the very least it was a room temperature persona now.

"We'd all do anything for the ones we love," Bad agreed, an understanding in his voice. Chat liked him, you realized, and you respected him. An excellent combination not to be skewered. He was rounded off corners at the edge of a table, easy to brush off but able to thoroughly damage someone or a dull pencil point that you accidentally dig into your finger. Innocent at first, harmless at second glance, but truly he was a peaceful persona.

Accidents or anger, and the peacefulness would be a weapon. Peaceful does not mean harmless.

"Well, I'll be off. I've got to get some sleep before we head out tomorrow."

"Tommorow?" Bad crows back. He has a look on his face, well meaning and eager to take in strays, not wanting to let you go yet. Worried, in simplest terms. "I don't think Cairo will be fully healed by tomorrow. Especially not enough for a long walk."

"No, she won't. But I'm planning on carrying xem back to camp." You tilt your head back, glancing at the tent. Cairo should be in xyr bedroll, resting xyr feet. Hopefully. Logically, you knew she would. Emotionally you were anxious to get back to xem.

"You two are welcome to stay here until she's fully healed?" Bad leaned closer, a kind and helping hand. They shook their head a tiny bit, thinking to themselves. "I know the tent isn't the most comfortable but we could set up a better tent tomorrow?"

"Thank you, you are very kind," And it is a sweet thought. Your voices are cooing at the demon already. "But I'd rather be on the road sooner rather than later. Cairo and I are on a tight schedule."

"Where you heading?" Dream tilted his head, like a confused puppy.

"The Antarctic Empire. We have family there. I—," Briefly, you hesitate and glance back at Cairo's tent. "I think it'd do xem some good to be around family again."

Sapnap and Bad nod sympathetically, if not in slight pity. It's an irritating emotion but you've gotten used to it.

"We'll, we weren't planning on heading there but I'm sure a small detour is fine!" Bad glances over at the rest of his group. They shrug or nod and Bad grins. "It's not that far and we've been quite a few times before. We can help navigate around anywhere you might need."

"Anywhere," George says ominously, snickering with Sapnap.

"Maybe," Its all you can think to say. Your voices want to go with them, the load of simps. And logic says to stay away. Ultimately your decision would be left up to the ultimate tie breaker..

Cairo.

"I'm heading out for the night. Thanks again for the tent."

"No problem!" Bad waves you off.

The night is cool but not cold. The crickets are loud in a comfort white noise way. It's nice, the voices agree. Maybe, just maybe, a small part of you wants Cairo to agree.

{《☆》}

[Cairo's Pronouns: She/Herself/Xem/Xyr]

[Nope, this is my longest fic. Luckily this was written digitally and my hands are fine. I'm so bored rn might nap.]

[I am planning on connecting a few fics together for fun. This might be getting a part two with sbi as the main part. I do be liking my dreamteam relationship arc tho... that is what I was hinting at btw I just was in a dream Stan mood bcus of his song WHICH IS FIRE GO LISTEN]

[I don't have anything else to say so goodnight. OH WAIT, Karl post next fyi! Now I'm done.]

[L0v3, k1ng]

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