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cyncerity · 2 years

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Hi all! School is starting back up for me tomorrow, so i just wanted to get one more story out before my first day of senior year! i feel old!

anyway, more dads troubles au, now with more characters!! this takes place before the events of Finding Family btw, but i hope you like it!!

tw: dehumanization

It pained Schlatt to go to a pet store of all things to buy things for his son. His son wasn’t a pet, but it’s not like he could convince anyone else of that fact. However, as much as his son liked having a few things his size, like containers and blankets, he weirdly preferred to use human sized things. Schlatt just guessed that that was probably a product of his odd upraising, but he wouldn’t complain. He would rather buy tiny things for his son at Homegoods or Claire’s or Hobby Express or something. However, this time, he wasn’t here for his son.

A few days ago, Tubbo had managed to drag a phone through the doorway (doorway was a loose term, it was more a hole in the wall) of Tommy and Ranboo’s home and take a few pictures of what it looked like, and oh god. It had pained Schlatt and the other humans to see teenagers living in practically trash. The two slept on mats for fucks sake, no blankets or anything. And no matter how much they insisted they didn’t need help, Schlatt felt some form of responsibility to make sure they were well taken care of. Whether that’s because they were his son’s best friends or because they spent practically all of their time at his apartment at this point he didn’t know, but he unfortunately could only find borrower “essentials” at the pet store.

He had checked everywhere else for little things for the boys home (once again, the term home was used loosely), like little lanterns and decorative things, since the only light they had came from cracks in their walls and the only “decorations” they had were scraps that they took from Sapnap and Karl before they were discovered, but the two also needed beds. Schlatt knew from experience that the only normal beds for borrowers were found at pet stores, since none of the dollhouse beds he or Quackity ordered for Tubbo when they first adopted him were apparently comfortable and were mostly for show, which is how Tubbo ended up sleeping on a beanbag, and why he now refused to try sleeping on anything else. At least the beds the pet store sold could be slept on. And, if they weren’t good enough quality wise, he could always add more blankets or bedding, and at least they’d be the right size.

He walked down the aisle of borrower items and picked up the beds, ashamed that he wasn’t the only one in the aisle. A woman was there with a child that couldn’t be much older than 5, who was picking up random items in the aisle as the mom just watched with a satisfied smile. Schlatt scoffed to himself as he walked out of the aisle, knocking over a stack of food bowls only because the sight of such a dehumanizing thing for borrowers was pissing him off. “Oh, excuse me sir!” Schlatt heard as he was tapped on the shoulder, turning to face the mother of the little kid who was now placing what looked like a hampster running wheel in his shopping basket. “My kiddo here just graduated first grade, and we were just looking for a little gift! Would you happen to know where they keep the tinies at?”

Schlatt just stared. Oh no. This kid was actually around 5, and this woman was preparing to give him a person. Letting a toddler have full control over someone else’s life. He looked back behind her and saw the kid run in from another isle holding rabbit pellets and put them in the basket. Oh, no fucking way he was gonna let this happen. “Uh..well, I’ve heard bor- tinies can be a lot of work, have you thought about maybe a fish or something?” But the woman just laughed. “Oh the whole class got fish when they graduated, ours just didn’t make it long. Y’know how fish can be.” She laughed again as Schlatt felt his stomach drop. No, he didn’t, but from what he could tell, this kid was getting a replacement pet for the fish he killed from probably either starvation or negligence. The woman, fully unaware of Schlatt’s inner conflict, continued. “I’ve heard that tinies have better lifespans, and are great with socializing! My baby here can be a bit rough with the other kids on the playground, and I think a tiny would really help!”

“Well, I’m so sorry, I don’t think this store has tinies.” Schlatt said. He didn’t care what he was getting himself into, he refused to let some poor borrower be tortured by this toddler. He’d buy every borrower in this goddamn store if it kept this little shit from getting one. The woman went to speak up again before Schlatt turned away, muttering some lame excuse about trying a puppy or something before speedwalking off. Fuck. Where did they keep the borrowers here? He shoved the beds into his pocket, and he looked through almost every isle before finally reaching the back of the store where he found a giant sign reading “tinies” and another big sign that read “Sale: All Tinies 75% Off!!” Schlatt sighed in relief when he realized the cages were empty, ignoring the implications of that and just hoping that the store just hadn’t found many (or hopefully any) recently. At least, all but one of the cages were. He almost turned to leave before a flash of moving green caught his eye. In the top corner cage, covered by what looked like bedding for a guinea pig or something, one last borrower was hiding, looking starved and tired. He looked older than any borrower Schlatt had ever met, and the flash of green he’d seen came from the almost robe looking thing the borrower was wearing, but what surprised him was his blonde hair and striking blue eyes, giving him an odd feeling of familiarity that he couldn’t quite place. Schlatt looked around and didn’t find any employees to ask about a purchase but, to his horror, the woman and her child where moving closer. In a panic he looked around and noticed the borrowers cage didn’t have a lock. The store probably assumed it wouldn’t attempt an escape from it’s height. And wouldn’t luck have it, there was a ladder nearby.

He quickly dragged the ladder closer, wincing at the screeching it made across the floor. Thankfully, only the borrower seemed to notice. The blonde stood up from where it had been hiding, backing up against the cage until he seemed to notice Schlatt’s lack of store uniform. As Schlatt climbed the ladder, he saw the borrower take a few weary steps forward towards the front of the cage. As Schlatt made it to the top, he lifted the top off the cage and the borrower immediately dropped to the ground, curled in on himself on his knees with his hands over his head. Schlatt just laid his hand flat next to him. “Look, buddy, I’m not gonna grab you, I’m not that kinda guy. But if you don’t get on you’re gonna get bought by a manic toddler and, let me tell you, I saw what they were gonna buy for you, and it’s fucking disgusting. I can help you if you let me get you the fuck outta here.” The borrower looked up, a look of shock on his face, before it quickly changed to a grim determination as he climbed onto Schlatt’s hand. He carefully lifted the borrower up from the tank and held him to his chest as he practically jumped off the ladder. He quickly made his way out of the store, at this point just throwing caution to the wind and shoplifting the beds, too. Why the fuck should he give money to this place, anyway?

He finally made it to his car, placing the borrower into the cup holder that Tubbp had already decked out into another seat of the car. Unsure of what to do now, the two sat in silence for a minute, before the borrower finally spoke up, after analyzing the car. “So, um…do you..have..another borrower? You seem to have a lot of stuff in the car for people like me.” Schlatt just laughed. “You’ve got nothing to worry about, man. I’m part of the minority that see borrowers as people, my son’s one of you. I don’t normally go to stores like that, but it’s not like big retailers sell things for kids like mine. I’m sorry we had to meet like that, I’m Schlatt. You?” And immediately, it seemed like all tension drained out of the car, as the borrower started to laugh and Schlatt saw his shoulders visibly drop. “You have no idea how long it’s been since I was called a borrower, I’m so fucking tired of the word ‘tiny.’” He sighed. “I’m Philza, but you can call me Phil. I get it, mate, my family’s not too normal either.”

That last bit caught Schlatt’s attention. “What do you mean?“ “My sons and my wife. I have two biological, well, now one biological, and one adopted, and I hope to god they aren’t too worried about me. My wife has been taking good care of them, I’m sure, but I worry. It’s been a while since I got taken. But my wife and my adopted son are both human.” Schlatt nodded and tried to keep from prying, but his curiosity got the better of him. “What happened to your son? If you don’t mind me asking of course.” Schlatt said, still caught up on the fact that this poor man had lost one of his kids. He was sure if he ever lost Tubbo he’d barely be able to function. But this guy had a family to get back to, he supposed. He probably had to be strong for them. “Not at all, mate, it’s been a while. I can tell you’re a good guy.” Phil responded, smiling, though his eyes held a deep sorrow that couldn’t fade with age, proving to Schlatt that he was right about the man only really pretending to be ok. “My boy was young when the older of the two did something really stupid at my old colony. I stood up for him, and it got the both of us kicked out, and they kept me from my son. Something about how the colony wasn’t doing great and the more laborers they had, the better. Makes me sick. But lord knows he wouldn’t have listened. He was stubborn, would’ve gotten on great with my wife, plus he had my genes. Wouldn’t have made a good worker anyway.”

Schlatt felt uneasy as he took notice of the borrowers traits again, though in more than he had in the store. Slightly pointed ears, thin tail, slitted eyes and clawed fingers. From what Tubbo had told him about borrower genes or job types or whatever, that meant that this guy was built to be a hunter, with the exception of his ears.

“So..uh…where do you live, then?” Schlatt asked, trying to change the topic to distract himself and Phil especially from the uncomfortable topic. “Down at an apartment complex a few minutes away…” he responded as Schlatt finally began to leave the pet store parking lot. He listened to Phil’s admittedly not great directions (basically Phil describing what he’d seen out the window of a car when his wife had drove him there to move in) for a few minutes before eventually making it back to his own home. “Oh, you live at my apartment! That’s great, man, what are the odds!” Schlatt said, getting out of the car and grabbing the beds he had ‘bought’ earlier before placing a hand out for Phil. Phil barely hesitated before climbing on, making Schlatt smile. “Small world, i guess,” Phil said as they began to walk into the building. “I live on the first floor, so you can drop me off at a nearby vent and i’ll know how to get home.” Schlatt nodded as he slipped Phil into the jacket pocket not containing the small beds and walked in. He nonchalantly made his way to a vent on the ground before kneeling to the ground next to it gently taking Phil out again, doing his best to shield the borrower from view with his body. “This good?” he whispered, still treating his best to keep people from looking his way. “Perfect.” Phil said with a more genuine smile than Schlatt had seen out of him in the admittedly short time he’d known him.

“Great! By the way, im in room 518, if you ever need anything. I know it may be a hassle to get there, but i mean it, man. You ever need supplies or just someone to talk to or anything, i’m open. In fact, here,” Schlatt said, ripping a tag off of one of the borrower beds as he began writing on it, “here’s my number.” Phil took it and smiled, looking up at the human. “Thanks, mate. I may just have to take you up on that, it’d be nice to have someone else who knows how i feel sometimes. Family’s like ours aren’t common, and we haven’t been here long enough to know many people around the apartment yet. And, again, thank you so much, it’s because of you i can see my kids again, i don’t know how to repay you-“

“Don’t worry about it, Phil, just happy i could help.” he said, standing back up. “Take care, alright?” “Will do.” Phil replied, taking the grate off the vent and slipping behind it with a wave. “See you later, Schlatt!!” Schlatt waved back and went to the nearest elevator to his apartment. He had some kids he had to surprise with actual beds.

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crystalirises · 3 years

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The Final Answer (36 Questions AU 9/13)

Pain ;-;

Also robbed you guys of the line “I was speedrunning on a Tuesday night” for the previous chapter.

Ninth part.

REALITY

They settled back to their respective positions, their barely touched dinners left on the table as they curled up on the chair Dream had sat on. A momentary silence hung over the air, though it wasn’t as awkward or as tense as one might expect. They were both exhausted, their heads leaning against each other as they cherished the moment they had together. Their fingers were entangled, the warmth of their bodies mixing in with the other. It was a damning reminder of the cold they had both felt the first few days when they went to sleep, the other not by their side. Dream had gone to sleep the first night, hoping that when he awoke, Fundy would be curled into his arms. He held onto this moment. Fundy had gone to sleep the first night, tears in his eyes as he looked into a room that wasn’t his own. He clung to this moment. It was a fragile and loving peace, one they haven’t had in a long time. Not since the war began, and not since the war ended. Both of them feared to break it, but one of them had to. The tranquility had to end at some point.

“This is nice.” Fundy whispered, nuzzling his face to the crook of Dream’s neck. He felt the blonde shift beside him, a gentle arm wrapping around his form as Dream pulled him closer to his side. His heart pounded painfully in his chest, wishing that he could stop everything and remain in the blonde’s embrace for as long as he wanted. Thepitter-patter of rain echoed from beyond the safety of their little cabin, a world and time away from what they had then and there. Batry squeaked contentedly, flapping their wings on the small perch on the ceiling that they had settled on. Fundy missed the warmth of the home they shared. He missed the nights they used to spend together. He missed the lazy days where he would turn in bed to see a freckled face with beautiful forest green eyes that gazed at him as if he was the world. “I miss this. I miss us.”

“I miss you.” Dream buried his face in Fundy’s hair, laughing as a twitchy ear slapped him against his cheek. Fundy’s hair smelt like sunlight, bits of sand still stuck on the soft red strands. Dream really didn’t understand why Fundy would choose the desert of all places. He always thought that if Fundy ran away, he’d run towards the taiga lands. He had actually checked there first and almost got mauled by wolves. He hummed beneath his breath, content to hold his husband like this for the rest of the night.

Fundy sighed softly, knowing he would have to break the peace. “We should go back to the questions, huh?” He felt Dream tremble beside him.

“… If that’s what you want.”

“Isn’t that what we both want?” Fundy glanced up, nearly hitting his head on Dream’s jaw. He laughed softly, “You hunted me down to Dry Waters for that sole reason, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t hunt you down, Fundy.” Dream scoffed into his husband’s hair, pressing closer as if doing so would make him forget the situation they were both in. He felt a hand swat his shoulder, a playful gesture that Dream hoped didn’t harbor any resentment. He leaned towards Fundy, hoping that the fox hybrid wouldn’t pull away as soon as they resumed the questions. He liked the moment they were sharing. He didn’t want to let go. “I went to look for you… And it’s your turn to ask the next question.”

“Right.” Fundy’s gaze flickered over to the ceiling of the cabin. He recalled the hour before his first date with Dream, his mind had been a flurry of worry as he thought of how he could possibly make it a night to remember. As he paced the restaurant floor, a series of questions flew into his mind. The questions his father had asked his mother… at least that’s Wilbur said. Wilbur loved to change the narrative. “Question 12. ‘If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?’”

“It’s pretty hard to top admin magic.” Dream murmured beneath his breath, Fundy humming as if in confirmation. Dream wracked through his brain, wondering what he could possibly answer. He glanced around the room, at Fundy… the love of his life. “Maybe… if I could gain one quality, it would be … actually being normal for once.”

“Well, if I could have one ability, I would like invisibility.” Fundy felt Dream’s chest move, a wheeze echoing through the room. “What? It’ll be so much easier to scam and rob people that way. I wouldn’t have to worry about getting caught, ya know?”

"Of course you would pick invisibility. Why am I surprised?" Dream remembered the time he had given Fundy a taste of admin magic. The fox hybrid spent his entire day doing nothing but pranks to anyone who unfortunately got into the crossfire. He would have let him keep a bit of magic if it didn't mean chaos. "Question 13. 'If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?'"

"I'd definitely want to know why my family is the way it is. Like, you've seen how fucked it is right? I have a grandpa who's the 'Angel of Death' or some shit that I don't know about. I have an uncle who probably wants to murder me for being an orphan and another uncle who my ex-husband exiled to fuck knows where." Fundy rolled his eyes as he listed every member he could think of. He wasn't even going to mention the fridge – his supposed grandmother, according to his father. Speaking of, "Then I have a dad who's now a ghost and was probably a fish-fucker. Yeah! I want to know which deity cursed this fucked-up family tree. I love them, Dream you know that. But... I... I don't understand it. I don't know how any of that works."

Dream blinked, his mouth agape in surprise as he stared down at the fox hybrid. He'd never... Fish? Wilbur fucked a— "WHAT?!" Dream couldn't bring himself to even think about it. He pulled Fundy closer to his chest, hoping that he wouldn't wheeze himself to death as he thought about what type of family he was marrying himself into. He's heard about Phil and met his sons, but he didn't know any of them aside from Tommy and Wilbur. He let out a soft sigh, glad that Fundy had chosen to keep their wedding small... By not inviting his family because he didn't want to get murdered at the altar. "You know what, star? I'd have to say that as my answer because what the fuck was all of that?"

"I know, right?" Fundy chuckled, his breath ghosting against the skin on Dream's neck, the blonde shivering at the heat. Fundy couldn't begin to imagine how he'd ever introduce– He curled closer, pressing his face to Dream's neck that Dream nearly jumped. There won't be an introduction. How could he have forgotten? He felt his lips crease into a frown, his hands reaching out to hold onto Dream's waist. An embrace that the blonde melted into. Fundy wished they could stay like that. Fundy moved on, "Question 14. 'Is there something that you've dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it?'"

"I want to spend one day of peace with you. No obligations. No responsibilities. No wars springing up out of the blue. Just you and me. In this cabin." He would do anything to have that. Dream only ever wanted peace in the Essempy, and he was close to having that. He needed to stick to his plan. He was doing it for everyone, this is what everyone needed. He wasn't doing this just for him and Fundy. It was for everyone. He just needed more time. He'll give everyone the peace and quiet they deserved. He smiled, pressing a chaste kiss on top of Fundy's head. The fox hybrid's tail began to wag. "With everything that's been going on, we never had the chance to do that. Someday, we'll be able to."

"I'd... Love that." Fundy winced at how bitter his voice came out, Dream's relaxed hands reached out to pull him further into the embrace, spooked at the tone in Fundy's voice. If Fundy didn't know any better he'd think the blonde was scared he'd run off. He wouldn't do that. They weren't done with the questions and Fundy wanted to finish what they'd begun. "If there's one thing I wished I could've done... That would be fishing with everyone I loved... Which isn't a long list of people but it would be perfect. You and my dad would get along, Tubbo and Tommy would probably end up drowning while Techno and Phil have their whispered conversations."

"Idyllic. Peaceful. Maybe one day we could all go fishing." Dream looked down into Fundy's beautiful brown eyes, a flicker of light dancing across the irises. There's a questioning look in them, a confusion that Dream couldn't solve quite yet. He reached up, ruffling Fundy's hair a bit. They'll cross that bridge when they get to it. Dream cleared his throat, smiling as he thought about the next few questions. They weren't as difficult. Easy. "Question 15. 'What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?'"

"I've created beings and worlds into existence. I don't think anything could ever top my level of expertise when it comes to creating and designing." As if to make a point, Fundy gestured to the cabin, raising a brow as if daring Dream to argue. They'd both seen the houses Dream makes, and Fundy insisted he built mostly everything in the cabin after seeing... Dream's creative side. Fundy wouldn't even let him into the cabin until it was done. "Can't beat me on that, babe."

"My greatest accomplishment would be gaining admin powers." Dream looked down at his hands, his mind a haze of what he'd actually done to get his powers. George and Sapnap had refused to tell him, telling him it was better that he never knew. He couldn't help but feel worried. What did he do to get such magic? He shook the thought away. It wasn't important. This moment was important. Not that. He could worry about that later. "I don't remember how I got them and I swear to you Fundy, I'm not lying about that. I swear it! You have to believe me on that, I really don't remember how but I might have done something right."

"I get it, Dream. You don't have to explain that." Fundy sighed, knowing that would probably be one of many mysteries that even Dream himself couldn't answer. At least both of them were in the dark about it instead of it being Fundy... By himself. Alone in the dark. Dream might never find the answer to how he got his magic and... Fundy would accept that. "Question 16. 'What do you value most in a friendship?'"

"Loyalty." They both paused, bursting into wheezes and laughs. It was one of the many answers that didn't change. It was the same answer as the one they'd said on their first date. That didn't change at least... Except, this time Dream was alone and Fundy had more friends than he used to have. Funny how change works like that.

"Glad to see we both agree on that." Dream struggled to keep his wheezes in, hiding the pain he felt as he uttered that one word that shouldn't have meant so much to him. "Question 17. 'What is your most treasured memory?'"

"My mom." Fundy's tone was soft, a muffled whisper that almost sounded as if it was but a trickery of the wind. Fundy felt a smile tug at the corner of his lips. Wilbur didn't know but Fundy vaguely remembered what his mother looked like: the soft curls of red hair reaching down to her waist, a gentle voice that soothed his cries, a pair of kind brown eyes that looked at him as if he was a precious treasure to protect. He remembered so little and yet so much. "I remember a little bit of how she looked like. Wilbur refuses to tell me where she is or if she ran off or if she— I don't know. But I know she loved me."

"I would've loved to meet her, she sounds lovely." Dream caressed Fundy's hair, a gesture of comfort. He knew how badly Fundy wanted his mother to still be alive somewhere in the world. But Dream was still confused, was his mother-in-law a human or a fish? "My most cherished memory would have to be our wedding. If I close my eyes I could still remember the ceremony. My dress. Your suit." He doesn't tell Fundy of the nightmares that took over his mind the moment he ran away. The morphed images of a ruined wedding haunting the back of his mind as he so desperately clinged to the life he and Fundy had made together.

"The wedding was fantastic. I wished it was bigger but we couldn't risk my dad." Fundy shook his head, wishing he wouldn't have had to worry about that. "Question 18. What is your most terrible memory?'"

"Dying the first time was pretty terrible." They both shuddered at that, both having had the displeasure of facing Death and emerging back to life. It was an awful sensation, to feel your senses fall numb as the world around you fell into dust. It would be an endless void after a cacophony of noise that screamed into your very being until you suddenly woke up in the bed you'd slept in the day before you'd died.

"Mine would have to be the entire Schlatt Administration. Those were the worst years of my life." Fundy stuck out his tongue, disgusted at the memories of what he had done just to survive in Manburg... Feeling guilty about the sword that was in his inventory.

"Schlatt... Was the worst." They both left it at that, the air tensing at the mere mention of that name. "Question 19. 'If you knew that in one year you would lose all your three lives - or remaining lives - would you change the way you are living now. Why?'"

"I suppose I'd try and get closer to my remaining relatives, it would be difficult seeing as how estranged we are." Fundy let out a tired sigh, "I don't even know how I'd be able to explain you to them without getting both of us killed on the spot."

"So there'd be a need to explain us?"

"What?"

"You'd have to explain to your family why we're married?" Dream glanced down, Fundy struggling against his hold all of a sudden. He let go. "So, we... You and I, we can work this out? We have a chance to work this out?"

"... That isn't the question, Dream." Fundy got up from the chair, backing off into the hall. He heard footsteps follow after him. "You don't have to follow—"

"It's the only question! This is exactly why we're here in the first place!"

"We have 36 Questions left to answer, Dream!" Fundy wanted to tear his hair out. Why the fuck did he accidentally say that? They were getting through everything just fine but of course Fundy found a way to fuck it up. Of course he did.

"Well most of these you already know my answer for!"

"No, I don't Dream! I don't know anything about you anymore! How can I when you’re wreaking havoc to everyone right now?! When you’re out there terrorizing people for Deities’ know what?! And you won’t even tell me what you’re doing..." Fundy began to storm off, pulling the door open as a blast of cool wind entered the room. "Just give me a minute, I need to calm down."

"I told you to trust me! I need you to trust me, star! I just don't know when you'll finally forgive me for this, Funds!" Dream groaned into his hands. He wanted this to be over. He managed to get Fundy home and now he was trying to run away again. "You're leaving again, aren't you?"

"Wha—?!" Fundy looked at him, the rain splattering against his hair as he took a step outside. Dream followed him out, both of them immediately soaked in rainwater. "I'm not running away, I just need a moment to collect my thoughts!"

"What is there to even think about? Will you ever forgive me or not, Fundy?"

"NO!"

They both froze, the word hanging in the air.

Fundy breathed, trying to keep himself calm. "No, Dream. I... I can't forgive you. Not after everything. Do you really think I could ever trust you again? Did you actually think we had a shot here? Dream, we can't—"

"You kissed me."

"What?"

"You. Kissed. Me." Dream couldn't keep the hurt out of his voice. "You kissed me and now you say we never had a chance."

"Dream—"

"We have a chance here, Fundy. Just give me one last—"

"Dream. We can't. I can't." Fundy rummaged through his inventory, taking out the trident he had brought along with him. Dream looked at it, surprised in his forest green eyes. "I wasn't supposed to give you a chance, Dream. I’m sorry I kissed you, that was wrong. I should have never let you into my house. I shouldn’t have led you on like this. I’m sorry."

"Fundy—"

"I'm leaving. Batry can stay until the morning. I'll come back to get him."

"Fundy—"

"Enough, Dream!" Fundy shivered underneath the cool rain. "That's enough."

"We could have our old lives back, Fundy. Don't you want that?" Dream tried to reach for him, his voice cracking beneath the weight of his emotions. “Don’t you want me? Don’t you love me?”

Fundy turned away, a pained smile on his face.

"I have to leave you behind. I know that sounds harsh…” He felt the trickle of rain at the back of his neck, the salty taste of tears clinging to his lips. The trident in his hands felt heavy, beads of water tracing the edges of his fingertips. Fundy closed his face, felt the harsh wind caressing his cheek as Dream's pleas rang throughout the desolate night. His heart ached, a semblance of nostalgia begging him to return to the want embrace of the man he once loved. He wanted to return to the warmth of their home, the light casting shadows down onto the cobblestone stairway. “…but that's the reality. I wish we had our old life.”

A searing pain tore through his insides, a burning want that he needed to quell if he wanted to escape the fire unscathed. "But that shit's impossible. That's just reality." He bit back the sobs that threatened to rise from his throat, tremors running down his spine. He spared a glance at the blonde, a whimper slipping past his lips as those forest green eyes he'd love so much begged him to stay. "I should have told you the minute you came, but you sounded distraught standing out in the rain."

He knew what he had done, presented a silver lining of hope in a whirlwind that would end in demise. He forced himself back, further into the consuming darkness of the night. "And I wanted to let you in, swallow your pain, because that's what I always do." They both needed the closure... But why did it hurt him to leave? To tear himself away from a life he promised himself was dead? He gripped at his chest, knowing he had lied to both of them. "But I made a pact with my friends, under no circumstance..."

He heard the hitch in Dream's breath, the realization of what Fundy had done casted into the unforgiving air. "...should I ever hear out Dream. Unlike you I keep my word." He knew how the story ended, knew it the moment he'd open the door. He felt the shadows cling to his form, beckoning him to make his escape. They were done here. He should go. But he can't. Not like this. He stepped closer despite himself. "And promises I make become my reality. You like to live your life blurring the lines."

Dream did what he wanted, without the thought of what others needed. It was a bitter truth that needed to be said, "Bending the rules to make yourself look better. But all that I wanted was something concrete." Al he had wanted was a life with the man he had fallen in love with. He reached up a hand, the tear-stained cheek cold against his hold. Dream clung to his wrist, a desperation in his eyes that Fundy knew would haunt him until his final moments. "And to know for a fact you are real. What I know is..."

He felt a sorrowful and bittersweet smile form on his lips, agony tearing at his heart, "I still love you!"

Tears rolled down Dream's cheek, his mouth open in silent protest. He couldn't say anything. "That's my reality."

He felt their bodies press close together, their shared heat against the storm made his mind muddled and hazy, "You know..."

He leaned his face closer, his heart thumping loudly in his chest. They shouldn't be doing this. He shouldn't be doing this. But he wanted to. "I'd give anything to wake up with you next to me. You and I spent these years of our lives lost in your lies." He could feel the ghost of the other's breath, their lips a few inches apart. Dream pulled him closer, and for a moment Fundy let him. "Far from reality. And it felt like a dream..." Their lips met, a long and desperate kiss mixed with the taste of salt, lime, and orange.

He pulled away, "'Cause it was"

He felt those shaking and slender fingers try to pull him back, but he was leaving the embrace. The cold stinging the sides of his arms as he finally let go. "Why do I always give in? That is on me to change." He turned around. It was done. They were done. There were hands clinging onto the back of his shirt, not pulling, but there. He knew what Dream wanted to do, pull him into an inescapable embrace until his resolve melts away. He took a shaky step forward, his foot nearly slipping at the cobblestone stairs that led away from their home. He can’t turn around. Not if he wanted to leave. "That's my reality. I can't do this to myself again."

They needed to move on. No matter how much it stung. "I deserve someone who accepts reality."

He felt the cold chill of the rain mix in with his tears, the world engulfed in a monochrome hue without the presence of the celestial lights. What a fitting way to end. Fundy took another hesitant step, raising the trident in his hand. "I can't imagine rebuilding my life with you, constantly on the edge of what I know is true." He could feel Dream’s hold on his back. If he didn’t leave now, he never would. Why did Dream have to make it so difficult? All they needed to do was let go. It was time to let go. "And you would string me along like you always do..."

Fundy laughed, a bitter cry of anguish. He wished he could scream and let the whole world know what they had lost. What’s done is done. It’s over. "Knowing I will never let go."

He turned to pry Dream’s fingers off him, a hollow stare in the blonde’s eyes as their gazes met.

“Fundy…” Dream tried to reach for him again. Fundy shook his head, a goodbye. He raised the trident.

And with a flick of his wrist, he was gone. “FUNDY!”

‘I’m sorry.’

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