Work Text:
It was cold and dark and Dream only wore a flimsy hoodie that barely kept the chill from his skin because Sapnap had stolen his good one and he had been too afraid to ask for it back. He now wished he had with the way the night was looking.
Dream ignored the low rumbling of the clouds above as he jogged across the pavement, the soles of his shoes skidding across the concrete in his haste. The street was reasonably well lit, though it did little to ease Dream’s nerves. His eyes skidded each darkened corner, each gap in visibility, body tensed as if waiting for something to jump out at him. Logically Dream knew he was in no way a meek looking guy. He was tall and broad, if not a little lanky. It was unlikely anyone would actually target him. Yet still…
His friends have always thought him stupid for his fear of walking alone at night. He couldn’t help it though, he had grown up with two sisters, both of whom had been told at a very young age that walking alone at night only ever ended poorly. Dream thinks that somewhere along the way, he too adapted that mind set. He carried himself stiffly, his keys each placed between the gaps in his fingers like he had been taught to. He gripped his phone tightly in his other hand, stuffed into his pocket.
Just a quick shopping trip, Dream reminded himself, the words playing like a mantra inside his own head. A quick trip and then you can get back to Sapnap.
And really, that was where all of this had begun. Sapnap.
Dream had grown a soft spot for the ravenette, more so since he had moved in. A soft spot that had so far only led to his own pain and misery. Though, if Dream was being honest, Sapnap had a very similar soft spot for him as well.
They had been settling down for a calm night in, a mountain of blankets overtaking their couch and Netflix set up on the television, when Sapnap yelled for Dream from the kitchen.
When the other man went to investigate he found his friend sitting on the tiled floor of the kitchen with a pout adorning his lips. It was quite cute.
“What?” Dream tried not to laugh, biting his lips incase his friend was in actual distress.
“We don't have any oranges,” His pout deepened, a crease forming in between his thick black brows and Dream wheezed, satisfied that his friend was not, in fact, deeply troubled. This quickly warped Sapnap’s pout into a scowl and he swatted at Dream’s legs. “This is serious. We can’t have movie night if I don’t have oranges.”
Dream settled himself next to Sapnap, back sliding against the wooden cupboard doors as he did so, body still shaking from his suppressed giggles. As soon as he settled down Sapnap immediately pushed his body against his, huddling around him and wrapping his thick arms across his middle. He squeezed tightly and Dream noted how warm Sapnap was.
“We bought like- ten oranges the other day, how did you eat them all already?” Dream choked through stuttered laughs. Sapnap pinched him in retaliation.
“I like oranges,” He defended simply.
Dream relaxed against the other man as the silence settled. He hesitated, only a moment before he lifted his hand and gently carded it through Sapnap’s thick hair. It got caught on a knot almost immediately and Dream frowned, slowly working his way through the knot with care until it dissipated and he was able to continue his action. Dream breathed deeply, finding comfort in the way Sapnap’s head moved amicably along with the expanding and contracting of his chest. He dug his nails into the base of Sapnap’s skull and shivered at the pleased groan that he released.
He could’ve stayed there for the rest of eternity, caught up in the soft feel of Sapnap’s clothes against his skin, his hair that tickled the line of his jaw and the way he expelled heat like a furnace. Though it seemed Sapnap did not share the same sentiment.
“Go buy me oranges,” He grumbled into the material of Dream’s shirt where he had smushed his face against his chest.
“What?” Dream said, incredulously, pausing his hand in his hair and ignoring the whine that he released. “It’s twelve o’clock at night. I'm not wandering the street just to buy you oranges.”
Sapnap moved, lifting his head until his chin dug in painfully against Dream’s collar bone and he could stare up into Dream’s eyes.
“George would buy me oranges,” He said simply, voice dropping to something soft and low. Like liquid caramel.
And Dream had never been very strong willed when presented with the warm umber of the other man’s eyes. The fire held within, simmering just below the surface, was enough to melt Dream entirely and he caved. Easily. Too easily for his own ego’s liking.
“Fine,” And maybe it was all worth it to see the way Sapnap’s eyes shined, face stretching into an excited grin.
Dream pushed at Sapnap’s face when the look became too much, butterflies sprouting in the pit of his stomach and clogging his throat. Sapnap laughed happily even as he sprawled along the kitchen floor. Dream stood quickly, brushing the non-existent dust off his jeans. He glared down at Sapnap when he continued to grin brightly up at him.
And that was how Dream had gotten here, wandering the empty streets and trying to ignore the way his limbs shook. He tried not to think about whether it was from the cold or fear.
Then suddenly he saw a shifting shadow from the corner of his eye, fast and undeniably alive. Dream spun, turning towards the movement even as his feet continued forward. His mind battled between the response to flee or to fight. His heart jumped rapidly in his chest, pounding against his chest and feeling like it might shatter a rib.
Then there was another shifted shadow, accompanied this time by the scraping sound of something sharp against concrete, foolishly light but dangerous. Dream tripped, barely catching himself and gripping tighter to the keys in his hands, the warmed metal dug painfully into his palm. His mind ran ramped with endless possibilities, each seemingly worse than the last. Someone with a knife who was going to rob Dream. Someone with a knife who was going to shank Dream. A fan who had somehow found out where he lived. Someone with a gun.
Just as Dream was preparing himself to turn and run the other way, attempt to get as far away as possibly and towards a crowded street- or at least a better lit street- The shadow moved again and before Dream knew what was happening a small black blob of fur emerged from the dark and sat itself under the glow of a street light, gazing at Dream with eyes that almost seemed mocking.
“Oh, well fuck you,” Dream grumbled, pressing his palm against his beating heart as he heaved in lungfuls of air, the cold bit his throat and made him cough. It was just a cat.
Dream pushed forward, not wanting to hang around in the empty streets any longer than he had to. He eased his grip on his keys minutely.
The store was completely empty save for two workers who looked ready to take a nap behind the counter. Dream’s positive before he walked in that was what both of them were doing. He left with more oranges than he probably should have bought, though never once had Sapnap ever let them go off. There was something about the copper fruit that made Sapnap act like a kid on christmas. Dream would be annoyed if he didn’t find it slightly adorable.
The walk back was easier. Dream felt more confident in the familiar streets now that he had already braved them once. He would even go as far as to say he felt relaxed.
That was, until he was around five minutes away from his and Sapnap’s house.
He saw movement from the corner of his eye, this time it was definitely a human for Dream could see the way his arms swayed alongside a stocky and well built chest. He wasn’t as tall as Dream but he looked undeniably stronger and Dream couldn’t help the way his breath quickened when he emerged from the shadow of a house across the street. Dream kept his eyes forward, fingers tightening on the grocery bag in his hand and desperately wishing he hadn’t dropped the keys inside, thinking he wouldn’t need them. It was so fucking stupid of him.
It’s fine, maybe he won't follow me.
Except that was nothing but wishful thinking, for when Dream turned a corner and briefly glanced down the street he saw the man again, having crossed the street and started walking around twenty metres behind Dream. Staying just far enough away to go unnoticed. They made eye contact and Dream swallowed thickly. Fuck.
He grappled with his thoughts, desperately trying to think of what to do. What was it his mother had always told his sisters to do? Keys, carry pepper spray, phone.
Phone. Sapnap. Sapnap could help.
Dream fumbled as he pulled his phone out of his pocket, unlocking it with shaky hands and immediately calling Sapnap’s number. It rang out and Dream felt his throat begin to close, a telling burn behind his eyes.
Fuck fuck fuck fuck
He called again and was met with the same robotic voice, almost mockingly. He squeezed his eyes shut, pushing his tongue against the rough of his mouth in a desperate attempt to stop himself from crying. If this ended like he thought it would he didn’t want to be fighting the man with tears running down his cheeks.
And then, like his prayers were answered, Dream’s phone rang. Loud and undeniably Sapnap because of the familiar ringtone. Who Let The Dogs Out. Sapnap had stolen his phone once and Dream still refused to change it.
“Dream? Hey, you okay?”
“Sapnap,” Dream whispered through a sob of relief. It set Sapnap on guard immediately.
“Hey, hey, what’s wrong? Dream?”
“I um-” Dream cleared his throat, trying to speak clearly, like if he faked confidence enough the man behind him would leave him alone. If he raised his voice ever so slightly when he saw a flash of movement from the corner of his eye when he turned another corner, that was his business. “I got the oranges. I’m like, a minute away now so you don't have to worry.”
“Worry? Dream what-”
“You-you waiting outside? I think I can see you,” Dream cursed his shitty acting. Hopefully it would be enough to convince the man that he wasn’t completely alone, at least.
“Dream I’m worried now. What’s going on?”
“Almost home, Pandas,” Dream comforted softly, hope rising in his chest when their house came into view. “Almost there.”
“Please be careful Dream- I swear to god if you’re hurt-”
“Unharmed, don't worry.”
“I’m going to fucking worry, you dickhead. I’m actually outside now, I can’t see you though.”
“Look the other way.”
“The other- why did you come from the other way? Didn’t you just go to the shops? What- Dream.” His voice took a sudden turn, hardening dangerously. “There’s a man following you.”
“I know,” Dream responded lightly, keeping the relief out of his voice when he could finally see Sapnap, huddled up in his green jacket that dwarfed his frame. “Almost there, Pandas.”
“God, I wish I brought a knife or- or my gun even.”
Dream laughed, now close enough that he could see the way Sapnap glared at the space just behind him.
“No need to get your gun out for lil’ ole me,” He said, again making his voice a little louder than before. He watched the way Sapnap’s face twisted from surprise to relief and knew that it had worked the way he had hoped. The man had been scared off.
When he reached Sapnap he went to collapse into him, body almost giving out from underneath him as the relief swamped his chest, but the Sapnap didn't let him, instead immediately gripping him by his hoodie sleeve and dragging him inside. Once behind a locked door Sapnap was quick to rid Dream of the grocery bag, leaving them at the door and ushering him to sit on the couch.
Almost as soon as he sat down, Dream’s arms were filled by Sapnap. Warm hands brushed across his arms and chest, feeling across his form with care, as if to make sure Dream was telling the truth and he was, in fact, completely unharmed. Once he was satisfied enough, Sapnap shifted until he was effectively sitting in Dream’s lap, knees stationed either side of his legs so he could level him with a glare. Dream lifted his hands to grip at Sapnap’s hips and steady him.
Almost immediately after the adrenaline fell away and Dream felt his entire body start shaking. He couldn’t control it, no matter how hard he tried. He felt like he was choking on his own spit. And then Sapnap’s arms were wrapping around his neck and he was shoving his nose against his skin and taking a deep, steading breath. Dream realised Sapnap was shaking too.
He shifted one hand from his hip and laid his palm across his broad back, rubbing gentle circles into the material of his jumper. Sapnap immediately melted in Dream’s arms, molding himself against the other.
Dream’s voice was soft when he spoke.
“I love you, but I’m never buying you oranges in the middle of the night again.”
Sapnap bit his neck but Dream could feel the way his lips curled into a soft smile against his skin.