Chapter Text
Sunlight glittered over the horizon as dawn lit the darkened landscape with a soft warm light. Sleepy creatures crept from their homes as bees meandered through dewy flowers. Pollen trailed like fairy dust in their wake. Hushed sounds of nature swirled through shifting trees at a sedate pace over the peaceful scene. It put Dream's weary soul at ease as he sat on a large hill overlooking the sanctuary he chose to settle in. The nearly untouched lands thrummed beneath his hands as they combed through the cool grass. He hadn't felt such an abundance of energy in a long time. Every natural process carried a spark with it, showing just how alive this world was. Thriving without interference. Dream was almost scared to disturb it.
A strong gust of wind tousled the blond’s wild hair and he couldn't help a small smile. Being alone with just the nature around him had given him the chance to feel out the world around him. Connect with the essence of their realm, feel it breathe, and just flourish around him. A sharp contrast to the cold, ominous cloud of death he’d felt down to his soul while alive. He had been afraid to tap into the world while in the SMP, where the land was sacred beyond recognition and its resources stripped away.
Memories flashed in his mind of the world spawn back when he first made it. Fresh, untouched, and brimming with potential. A new land brimming with mystery and wonder, but the memory was quickly overtaken by the tangle of buildings and a hollowness that resonated from the world’s core.
Coarse dirt clung to his skin started to itch slightly as the scent of gunpowder crossed his nose. The bright yellow of a bee caught his eye as it fluttered between oak trees.
"The bees!"
"Why the bees?!"
"No!"
"Not the bees!"
"Why did you spawn it on the bees?!"
"Oh no, not the bees."
Shaking his head almost violently, Dream cleared away old vision before they could take hold. The faint buzzing grew distant, taking the sounds of howling whither with it.
His mind felt like an ocean as of late, fragmented and hazy memories rose and fell like turbulent tides. Dark whispers roaring mimicking rolling waves with every surge. It was hard not to feel as if was drowning whenever his memories overflowed and submerged the ghost in remnants of his past. In trying to carve out a new life for himself it often felt like trying to fight the ocean itself. Exhausting and overwhelming. Any time he was starting to feel at ease an undertow would take his legs out from under him, and by the time he came up for air, hours had passed.
“Just keep focused,” Dream murmured, a mantra that had been repeated hundreds of times since leaving the SMP. Reinforcing the mental wall that kept back his past.
Dull eyes shifted from unending azure skies to the little clearing he'd made beneath him. Pale wheat swayed in the breeze alongside healthy sugar cane that sat nestled against a river. The beginnings of a farm slowly growing. A couple of wooden chests were tucked in a corner out of the way at the mouth of a cave he chose to work from. The ghost didn't want to spoil much of the wonder around him, so decided to make himself a small cottage that opened out into a natural cave for storage and living space. It was all planned out in his mind, a picture clear as day.
A small part of him was still wary of building anything, ingrained paranoia made it difficult to be fully committed to constructing anything more than a temporary shelter. It made him a little uneasy but he tried to ignore that little voice telling him to be careful. He was starting over, no more Nightmare, everyone thought he was gone, no one would look for him. Instead, Dream tried to focus on the thread of excitement that grew with every new segment that went up.
The little build wasn’t much at that moment. Strong wood logs framed what would slowly build up into a house, the structure simple and homey.
The past few days had been interesting for the ghost. Dream channeled all of his energy into projects, spending much of the first day collecting the basics and drafting how he would build. He started by shaping the land a little to better suit the new construction, and transplanting flowers deeper into the little forest. A few skeletons were nice enough to even "donate" their bones to help populate more flowers. Dream vaguely wondered how far he could spread the flowers from his little secret garden. Try to brighten up the world with a little more life.
“Just keep working…” the ghost hummed clinging to that small thread of excitement as he slipped from the hill to continue working.
Piece by piece Dream filled in the walls of his little home. First, a layer of cobblestone to set a strong foundation. Then hardened clay stained with white dye. A small chuckle escaped Dream as he shaped the clay into walls. The wild rainbow cliffs of a mesa biome flitting across his mind.
“Hey, George.” Amusement seeped into Dream’s voice as they exited the trio exited the portal and stepped into a red sandy valley. “Do you know what we’re surrounded by?”
White rimmed glasses surveyed the lands around them before the brunette tilted his head, “Clay?”
“Hardened clay.”
“What?!”
A pang of longing stirred in his chest as their laughs echoed in his mind but his focus did not waver. Battle-worn hands smoothed across the stained ceramics, sealing the edges together as he built up the walls. Not too far a furnace crackled away, smelting sand into glass for windows. The delicate panes completed the base structure. It was oddly satisfying how each one slotted neatly into the walls.
The next step was the roof. Installing the support beams was made infinitely easier by Dream’s new nifty ability. He had to admit, flying took a little getting used to, and he often just forgot. But hovering in the air to set the sturdy wood took far less effort than trying to balance on the walls. In the back of his mind, he vaguely wondered how high he could reach. Something to test another day.
Dream had moved onto the next phase. Wooden logs split easily down to planks of rich oak. From there the possibilities exponentially grew, stairs, signs, doors. It was all effortless to craft and calming as Dream whittled the blocks into what he needed. The closer his house grew to completion the more fervently he worked, building tirelessly and without breaks. The ghost hovered around the little clearing working out details and comparing materials to get what he wanted. Pouring all of his overactive brainpower into his little home. Aches and pains flared up as Dream worked. Cuts burned and his bones throbbed but it was easy to block out as long as he kept busy. Shoving more and more out of his mind as he built with single-minded focus.
By the end, Dream was pretty proud. A cozy cottage set up against an overgrown hill brimming with flowers. Bright colors carpeted the grass with some vines creeping down to the dark wooden roof of the house. It was longer than it was tall, with the roof built up into the hill. Potted flowers lined the window tying the man-made structure more into the natural world around it. Other builds were far more interesting or impressive but this one felt... personal.
"Actually, do you even have a house?" Technoblade's monotone voice lost its edge of irritation and grew smug. "I've never seen you in a house."
"I do have a house," Dream replied automatically, mind still reeling with confusion as to when he even got to Techno's house. Why had he been there? He was looking for someone… looking for Tommy. Dread twisted in his gut at that small revelation.
"Oh yeah?"
Dream's eyes scanned the room behind his mask, grateful for his small shield at that moment. "Yeah, one that's very, very far from here."
The piglin tilted his head and quirked a brow. "Do you like... are you homeless? Is this like-"
"No."
"Do you just not want to admit you don't have a house."
"I'm not homeless. I have a house!"
Techno leaned forward, arms crossed. "Do you like, sleep outside?"
"I have a- I don't even sleep but I do have a house." Dream fumbles, his train of thought utterly detailed and ruined. Part of him was extremely thankful.
Crimson eyes burning with suspicion and curiosity. "Prove it."
"No! I'm not going to take you to my house."
A smile cracked across Techno's lips as he laughed, "Dude, this guy doesn't even have a house!"
"I have a house!"
"He owns the greater SMP and never builds a house."
"Techno! I don't- you- you know what I'm leaving!" Dream huffed as he turned away.
"Fine! I'll just follow you to your house, Dream."
A wheezy laugh escaped the ghost as the argument played in his head. Technoblade's voice had grown more lively and animated as he teased the admin. Even as Dream defensively stormed away to sort out the mess in his mind, the anarchist followed and taunted. Acting as a wonderful distraction to detract from something disastrous. A rare bright spot in an otherwise ocean of missing and confusing memories. One of the worst periods of his life was made just a little better by the piglin’s presence. That was constant with Techno... for the most part. One of the very few people who he hadn't hurt. Hopefully. Whether by necessity or fear, Nightmare never messed with the piglin and Dream was thankful for that blessing. An ally to the very end, and one of the few loose threads he hadn't been able to tie up.
Thinking back he could have maybe used that favor as a ghost. Sought out shelter in the arctic where so few ever ventured. A peaceful existence surrounded by the silence of ice and snow. hanging out with the one friend he still had.
"You know, Techno, I'm like one of the only people who hasn't betrayed you."
"I know right?"
"It's because I don't pretend to be your friend."
"Exactly! This is a business transaction."
A tangled thread tightened in his chest painfully at the hazy memory. No, Dream would have only caused more problems by sticking around. His ally didn't need any more reasons to be targeted.
The ghost’s gaze settled on his little house, a pretty shell still needing to be filled. Surrounded by nothing but nature as far as the eye could see. This was better. Far away from everyone he hurt, impossible to harm anyone else. This was for the best.
Thunder rumbled overhead drawing Dream’s attention to the darkening sky. A reluctant sigh heaved from his lungs as his shoulders slumped. The crisp, sweet taste of rain was in the air. It was only a matter of time before his luck ran out, and he was fortunate to have gotten the outside done before it stormed. Gathering all the wood he could the ghost retreated inside just as the air started to grow thick and the sun faded behind gray clouds.
Dream meandered into his little home and scanned over the half-done interior. The entryway was simple, with an armor stand and chest awaiting to be used for important items. Off to the side was a kitchen tucked into a small nook by the door. It was populated mostly by barrels clustered around a smoker and crafting station. The rest of the house mostly consisted of a cozy living space with a wooden frame for what would, eventually, become a couch. A was table tucked in a corner with a chair beside a loom. A basket of wool rested on the ground under the table. A few lumps from the wandering sheep around the clearing. On the table was a small medical kit with some leftover bandages and scraps of leather.
Above the living area, was a small loft area with a bed and dresser. Even if he never needed to sleep he could at least rest there after long days. A bone-deep ache rattled through his body as Dream stared up at the basic bed. It was a little more than a poorly stuffed mattress and blanket. Yet, his body seemed to crave rest after the constant work. It made little sense to Dream, he didn’t need to sleep. He didn’t need to rest. He was dead. What did it matter?
Rolling his eyes Dream turned away from the tempting loft and settled himself into the chair. The faint taps of rain started to pelt against his windows as the storm washed over the house. Dream took to splitting some of the wood he’d gathered and build some chests for the storage area. One by one each new container was crafted and set up against the far wall similar to how he’d seen Techno’s house. It was a pretty good system allowing for the use of a lot of space. Even if Dream didn’t have much, it didn’t hurt to be prepared.
Time passed and Dream slowly got lost in his work. Shaping the woods into various crafts to furnish his house. The taps against his windows grew stronger until it was a consonant torrent. Like roaring waves, the rain fell in rhythmic sheets driven by the wind. Dull eyes gazed up at his little house unsurely as he heard the wood creak and groan above when a strong gust buffet against the roof. Trying to block out the sound of storms Dream started to softly hum to himself. In the back of his mind, he wondered why he didn’t pick a savannah or desert to live in. Places where it didn’t rain.
Spruce planks were shaped into trap doors next, shudders to put up for future storms. It probably wouldn’t make much of a difference but it was better to be safe. He worked the planks several times over making multiple for the few windows he’d set into the walls. The familiar and repetitive motion reminded him of the weeks spent renovating the community house and all the chaos that surrounded him while building.
“Sapnap, stop fighting,” Dream scolded as he leaned over the top of the building to look down at his best friends. Both adorned in iron armor as they pushed and punched each other in the lake.
“He’s fighting me,” Sapnap whined as he shoved George away.
“Okay, George and Sapnap, stop. Right now,” Dream commanded as he jumped down into the water in an attempt to separate the two. Neither listened as weapons were drawn. George charged at Sapnap who blocked with a shield. “No! no, George. Listen to me.”
The two separated with Dreams intervention. The blonde sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose. “Look, I'm not your dad, but stop fighting.”
The two spared a glance at their friend before going at it again. Dream rolled his eyes and threw up his hands. He turned back to the community house while weapons were swung with reckless abandonment. The two always took the world's respawn magic for granted.
The memories shifted to the community house nearly completed. Wood switched out for stone and bricks. Netherite replaced iron as George and Sapnap were fighting, again. Enchantments set their bows a glow as flaming arrows flew at one another with no thought given to the wooden bridge leading to the community house.
“No! Boys. Boys settle down,” Dream chided as he watched the two from the path. He’d embraced the ‘dad’ role whenever the two broke out into violence. Most times he felt like a parent among screaming children.
The two bickered and tried to argue but Dream just shook his head as he stood between them, eyes locked in a staredown with George. “No! Settled down or you’re going to go to time out. This isn’t rough house time.”
The arrow in George’s bow was released. An exasperated sigh escaped Dream, eyes still locked on George’s.
“Drea- Dad!” Sapnap’s panicked scream sounded from behind him. “You hit dad. H-he hit you. He hit you!” The brunette tattled as if Dream couldn’t feel the flames licking over his armor and searing his skin.
The admin just shook his head as the flames faded, “I’m really disappointed in you, George.”
A nervous laugh escaped the brit as he bobbed in the water, “Y-you were in the way.”
“No, no. I told you to stop.”
“You were in the way!”
“You’re grounded.”
“It slipped, I didn’t mean to!”
The bickering continued as Dream went back to putting up trap doors on the corners.
Again there was a shift but this time everything was twisted and dark. He was trapped in a living nightmare. It wasn’t every day he got to see what Nightmare did while pipetting his body. But the rare times he did, were always horrible. Terror gripped his chest, suffocating and all-consuming. Red filled his limited sight. Stacks upon stacks of TNT lined up along the familiar walls he had spent months building.
“NO! Fucking stop!”
“But this was your idea.” A dark voice hissed from around him.
“I don’t want this!”
“You know nothing lasts. Eventually, they will destroy this building like they have everything else.”
“They won’t. They- They c-”
“What? They care?" The voice cooed mockingly. “Like they care about you? Is that why they moved onto their own little nation? Is that why they left you? The only person who cares about this place is you.”
“I still don’t want to destroy it!”
“You know it will only be used against you.”
“I- I know but-”
“So? Why not destroy it on your terms?”
“This isn’t on my terms!”
“I’m only doing what you want. Completing the mission you are too soft to finish!”
More TNT was stacked to the roof. Gunpowder stained his hands as Nightmare piled more explosives than would ever be necessary.
Dream fought for control, reaching for any scrap of influence he could wrestle from the Dreamon despite the growing doubt in his mind. Yes, at one point he had thought that the community house would be used against him. It was one of the few ties he had left to the world. But it was also one of the few reminders of the simpler days. Of friends who cared and spent time with him. Before all the fighting and wars, before everyone left and abandoned.
He summoned up as much willpower as he possibly could to force the dreamon back, clawing for any scrap of control. A familiar tool was summoned into his hands and sheer panic drove the admin to grasp onto one of the few strands. The hand stopped before it could set the TNT alight. Dream clung to the small threat like a lifeline.
“I said no!”
“I’m doing this to protect us. To protect you.” Nightmare reasoned, words dripping with concern and honeyed promise. “This is the last tie. They can’t take anything else from you. No one will be able to hurt you.”
“Because I won’t have anything left.”
“And thus you will be safe. Nothing and no one will be used against you. Like your friends…” Dream flinched as flames flickered within the dark space. “Or Spirit.” Taunts from his enemies echoed through the dark. Scornful jeers mercilessly mocked while the remains of his beloved horse were waved in front of his face “Your string will be cut, and you will be the only one in control.”
Nightmare may be a monster… but he was right. His desperate grasp faltered ever so slightly.
That small instance was all it needed.
Click
“No!”
The scream tore from Dream’s throat as he nearly launched out of the chair. Wood and tools clattered to the floor. His breaths were short and panicked. Bleary, frantic eyes searched the dimly lit space for Nightmare. His whole body shook as Dream stood. His surroundings were vaguely familiar but all he could see was a floor made of crafting tables, brick and stone walls with pathways leading in four directions. The scent of gunpowder was thick in the air.
Dream ran, bursting through the wood doors. Open fresh air greeted the ghost and filled his desperate lungs. The ground seemed to shift beneath his feet in a sudden decline. He stumbled and fell, managing to catch himself as he gasped and panted for air. Burning pain seared into his hands causing the Admin to wince.
He squinted against the bright sunlight that nearly blinded his vision. Dream pulled back looking down at the soaked grass beneath him, splotches of neon green mixed in with the droplets. Slowly, the suffocating fog faded as bright colors came back into view. Flowers populated every inch of open grass, sparkling with residual raindrops. The sun was high overhead, warm and welcoming. Dream turned around sharply seeing the cottage he had built. Cobblestone, clay, and dark wood. Not brick and stone. Only the sounds of nature were around to keep him company, not playful arguments or dark promises.
He was safe.
For now.
Dream shook his head, violently shoving away the desperate and destructive impulse to tear everything down. He refuted every lesson that screamed at him to keep moving and not settle down roots. Tried to ignore everything that told him he didn’t need a house, he could exist just fine without one. He didn't need any strings.
Digging his fingers into the rain-soaked ground Dream grounded himself in the searing pain. He shut his eyes tightly and just focused, feeling the thrum of life beneath his palms. Vibrant sparks of life electrified his nerves and eased his shaken mind. A strong breeze tousled his hair and caressed his face. The soft sounds of nature hummed in his ears, like a caring mother whispering words of comfort.
Slowly the panic faded and his mind cleared. The ghost did not budge, simply reveling in the nature surrounding him. Soothing and protective. Giving him more warmth than anyone else had in a long time. It was more than he deserved yet it was still given.
The world pulled him back from the void, dragged him kicking and screaming. She was the only one to give him a second chance. Why? He would probably never know. Dream had been terrible to his world. A destructive force of chaos. Yet, she still welcomed him back. The least he could do was try to give back. To create rather than destroy and simply change for the better.