Archive of Our Own

Dream and Skeppy have never liked each other.

They haven’t necessarily hated each other through all the time that they’ve known each other, but at best, there was a mutual understanding and respect. Not friends, but they had an agreement.

Dream let Skeppy into his land because he was Bad’s best friend. Skeppy respected most of the rules because he wanted to stay and understood that Dream was in charge. It was as simple as that.

They had rougher moments- Skeppy stole Spirit’s leather and only traded it back for one of Tommy’s discs. That certainly didn’t add anything to his favor but for a long time, they still tolerated each other.

Then at some point, Dream started becoming more controlling, taking a more active role in wars, treating his friends- people like Bad who would go great lengths to help him- like soldiers and using them, and started pulling stunts like threatening to bleed L’Manburg dry with obsidian walls or blaming Tommy for the community house being destroyed.

Neither of which Skeppy gave a shit about if he was being honest but even to the people who did, it felt extreme. Bad cared for the community house and even as he gazed upon the sad sight of it being destroyed, he didn’t believe Tommy had been the one to do it. The only evidence Dream even had was his claim that, “It was something Tommy would do” and that didn’t feel like evidence at all.

“I do believe that whoever did this should be punished,” Bad told him when he showed him the remains. Bad looked at the smoking crater that was left with a distant sadness. “It was an important landmark to the SMP- but, I don’t think it was Tommy. His behavior seemed genuine when he was confronted about it and- what would he even get out of this? Tommy can be a troublemaker, sure but saying he would do this- that seems like a stretch to me.”

Skeppy made a noncommittal noise, shrugging. “Probably doesn’t even matter who actually did it to Dream. He probably just wanted a reason to blame Tommy and blow up L’Manburg.”

Bad opens his mouth to reply but another voice beats him to it. “Oh, come on.”

Both of them freeze in place. It’s easy to identify the owner, Bad shooting Skeppy a look with Skeppy paling before he whips around with a nervous smile. “Heyyyyyy, Dream… How- how’s it going?”

Even with the mask on, Dream radiates a silent but unmistakable fury. He stands behind them, gaze seemingly locked onto Skeppy, and doesn’t move a muscle. “You want to repeat that for me again? About me looking for a reason?”

Skeppy laughed nervously, putting his hands up. “Dream- let’s not make a big deal out of this, okay? I’m not looking for a fight.”

“Dream,” Bad says, turning Dream’s attention towards him. His withering gaze is enough to make Bad shrink but not enough for him to back down. “He really didn’t mean anything by it. Skeppy- he was just thinking out loud! That’s all!”

“If that’s the case,” Dream turns his head back to Skeppy slowly, “Then I’m sure he’ll have no problem taking what he said back.”

“I really don’t want any trouble.”

“So take it back and we won’t have any.”

Skeppy hesitated, mouth opening and closing. The way Dream was staring at him- it was threatening, sure, but it also made his blood boil. Twisting his insides and only reminding him of his point- Dream didn’t care about anything but getting what he wanted. Not people’s feelings, not his morals on how he got it, nothing. He didn’t even care about the discomfort in Bad’s eyes- and Bad was supposed to be his friend.

Maybe that’s what made him snap.

“No.”

“...What?”

“I don’t want to fight- I meant that when I said it- but… I’m not taking it back.” Skeppy replied slowly.

“Skeppy!” Bad hissed urgently.

“What? Doesn’t this just prove that I’m right?” Skeppy shot back. “Dream is just intimidating us to get what he wants- he just wants obedience.”

Bad made an incoherent noise and glanced at Dream. “You’ll have to excuse us, Dream. Have a nice night.” Bad barely finished his own words before he grabbed Skeppy by the arm and started dragging him away. Skeppy might’ve protested had it not been for the fact that Dream was still watching them carefully as they left, but didn’t move to follow or stop them.

“What the hell, Bad?” Skeppy demanded once they were out of range, but Bad whirled on him, eyes narrowed.

“Skeppy, do you have a death wish?” Bad said, finally letting him go. “You can’t say things like that in front of Dream!”

“Why? Because he’ll try and kick me out?” Skeppy scoffed.

“Because he’ll try and kill you.” Bad said, gesturing wildly at the way they came. “Dream’s one of the most threatening people- maybe the most! Techno is strong but he’s at least consistent and has morals.”

Skeppy’s eyes widened at the implications in his words. It came to him suddenly that nothing Bad was saying was disputing anything he said- in fact, quite the opposite. “Oh my god- you think Dream doesn’t have morals.”

Bad’s face flushed in a panic. “Skeppy- keep your voice down!”

The thoughts just kept coming. “You agreed with what I said- you think he’s menace!”

“Skeppy!” Bad cried, slapping his hand over his mouth and glancing around wildly. “We are in public!”

Bad grabbed his hand again and hastily led him home, all while glancing wildly around as if he was afraid that the walls had eyes.

(They did.)

—

Despite being within the comforts of their own home, Bad refuses to speak any further on the matter. He paces the house and glances outside, paranoid of what’s out there, and doesn’t go to bed until Skeppy pushes him upstairs and into his room himself.

Then, in the morning, Skeppy is rudely woken up by Bad shoving his communicator in his face.

“Look what you did!” Bad scolds him none too gently.

Skeppy groans, making a grab for it. “I can’t read it- let me see.”

Bad lets him swipe it but makes a grumbling hum sound as he does, eyes narrowed. Skeppy squints at the bright screen, slowly adjusting and reading what appears to be a message sent mere minutes ago.

Dream: Bad, I think we need to talk.

“See?” Bad starts gesturing wildly once he knows Skeppy has had enough time to read. “It’s not even noon and I have to go clean up your mess!”

Skeppy winces, finally looking up at Bad sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to make a big deal out of it! I tried to back out before but Dream was so adamant about me apologizing when I was right, I- you don’t have to go!”

Bad seems to think otherwise, huffing at the thought. “If I don’t go, Dream’s only gonna get angrier.”

“Then let me-”

“No.” Bad shuts down the idea with one word. “I have a much better chance at getting him back on our side then you do, let me handle it. It’s just- a misunderstanding. Clashing personalities. Something like that- the point is that I’m gonna take care of it. Dream and I are still friends, he’ll listen to me.”

Any doubts Skeppy has about that he takes and shoves down. “Sorry.” He says at last. It’s stupid that he and Bad have to deal with the fact that Dream can’t handle the idea that there’s consequences for his actions but he isn’t about to say that when Bad is stressed like he is.

Bad softens and waves him off. “It’s alright, Skeppy. Dream just-... He gets kinda intense about these sorts of things. It’s not that I want you to keep all your thoughts and opinions to yourself because you shouldn’t have to! But- be careful about Dream. I don’t want you to get hurt because you were voicing your thoughts.”

Skeppy nods. He stretches before sliding out of bed and accompanies Bad down to the kitchen. They eat breakfast, Bad sends Dream a response and gets a location in return, and by noon, Bad is out the door and waving Skeppy off.

“I’ll be back before nightfall, alright?” Bad promises. Skeppy nods back mutely.

He holds back on asking Bad not to go, knowing he won’t listen anyways, and watches his silhouette slowly disappear.

—

Night falls and Bad doesn’t return.

Skeppy really didn’t want to seem clingy but the chance that he’s in danger is too strong for him to ignore. He messages Bad over and over again with no reply. Not so much as a mark that any of them have been read, which at least would’ve been better than nothing.

He only receives a message back once the sun is completely gone from the sky. He scrambles to pick up his phone when it buzzes but his stomach drops at what he gets.

BadBoyHalo: :)

A smiley face. Nothing else.

Skeppy grips the communicator so intensely that he thinks it’s gonna shatter if he keeps it up.

And then, another message comes, worse than the first.

BadBoyHalo: Look outside.

Skeppy really doesn’t want to. His throat goes dry but he knows if he doesn’t look, he’ll regret it in one way or another. The slightest chance that Bad is out there makes him force himself to his feet and make a beeline for the nearest window.

There’s a figure standing in the middle of their property. It isn’t Bad.

BadBoyHalo: Come. We should talk. :)

Skeppy really, really would rather be anywhere else but he knows what it feels like to be backed into a corner enough to know that his back is against the wall. No way back, only forwards, as utterly paralyzing as that is.

He gulps down his fears and slowly exits the safety of his home. Immediately, he feels exposed, no longer protected behind the walls of his mansion. Not that they could protect him much against him but they made him feel better for a moment at the very least.

Dream waits patiently for his approach but keeps his eyes trained on Skeppy. There’s something tucked under his arm, some sort of dark cloth by the looks of it that clashes with his usual green coat. Skeppy sneaks a few glances at it but doesn’t want to take his eyes off of Dream.

Dream holds up a communicator once he’s close enough. Bad’s communicator.

“Hello, Skeppy.” Dream greets far too casually. It sounds like a taunt from the way he says it and Skeppy feels panic rise up into his throat. Bad is nowhere to be seen.

“What the hell did you do?” Skeppy croaks out at last. Dream chuckles at him and it only serves to make his skin crawl.

“What do you mean?” He asks coolly.

Skeppy refuses to give him the satisfaction of watching him visibly panic but can do nothing about the way his heart thumps in his chest. “Stop- stop acting like you don’t know! Bad said you wanted to talk to him and suddenly you have his communicator- why?”

“He gave it to me.” Dream says simply and Skeppy scoffs. The masked man tilts his head at him. Every movement feels calculated, like he’s playing chess and has Skeppy in checkmate. “I’m being honest. He really did give it to me.”

“Why the fuck would he do that?”

“Well, with enough persuasion, anyone would do anything, wouldn’t they?”

Skeppy’s heart stops- no, more than that. It’s frozen from the inside out and pried out of his chest with a crowbar and now Dream is holding it in his hands, admiring his handy work. His legs won’t respond, planted into the ground. He doesn’t know if he would run or simply turn to jello if he could move.

“Wha- what?” Skeppy breathes, and Dream only responds with an infuriating chuckle.

“You’re looking a little paler than usual, Skeppy. Feeling sick?”

“You- you’re sick.”

“I’m feeling perfectly fine. On top of the world, in fact. Can’t say the same about you.”

“What did you do?” Skeppy half demands and half cries, debating on drawing his sword but knows it would be useless. “Where’s Bad? Why are you here? What the fuck do you want?”

“Bad is safe. For now.” Dream seemed far too pleased at the way he flinched but Skeppy couldn’t help it. “And as long as you obey and behave, he’ll stay safe.”

“I- I don’t understand… Why?”

Dream took a step forward, towering over him with his head held high. “I think I’ve been fair to you in the past.” Dream said, and the air abruptly felt colder. Icier. “But you’ve been disrespecting me lately and I won’t stand for it. You needed to learn some humility.”

“And you’re going to teach me that?”

Skeppy had said it mockingly but Dream tilted his head down at him and said in a completely serious tone, “Yes. I will.”

The air was stolen from his lungs. Dream didn’t give him any room to breathe. “We’ll be spending a lot more time together. I’ll need to monitor your progress after all, as well as testing your abilities to… Listen.”

“And- Bad?” Skeppy pressed.

Dream finally took the dark piece of clothing he was carrying with him and handed it over. Skeppy was hesitant at first but the second he realized he recognized it, he snatched it from Dream’s hands with a sharp gasp.

Bad’s coat. His signature black and red coat- which now had a jagged tear in it and dark red stains that rendered Skeppy speechless. He hugged it close to his chest, eyes wide and horrified.

“Bad is your incentive.” Dream said smoothly. “If you listen and obey- great, he’ll be back by your side in no time. But if you try and find a loophole out of this or if you fail, then he’ll be spending more time with me. Do I make myself clear?”

Skeppy doesn’t answer. His fingers curl around the hoodie protectively.

“I said,” Dream says in a sterner tone. “Did I make myself clear?”

“Y- yes.” Skeppy breathes. Dream relaxes.

“Good. Don’t think of this as a punishment, Skeppy. It’s just a correction. This could be perfectly pleasant if you respect my authority.”

There’s a sarcastic reply on his tongue but he doesn’t have the will to say it. Dream steps back, satisfied.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Skeppy.” Dream says, and he’s gone, leaving Skeppy a fraction of what he was feeling before.

Time passes. He doesn’t move until something inside of him cracks and he finally drives himself to get back inside the mansion.

He doesn’t make it past the front door before he presses his back against the wall and slides down, legs giving out and a shaky sob racking his body.

He doesn’t sleep.

—

“You don’t look well, Skeppy.” Dream says with the audacity to sound concerned.

Skeppy doesn’t meet his gaze. It takes everything in him not to start screaming at Dream to get out of his mansion and that he’s not welcome here, and looking at that stupid mask of his would only bring out the worst in him. He takes deep breaths, in and out, and focuses on the hoodie in his lap.

He washed it at some point. He might not have had the energy to do much of anything, nor the desire to sleep, but he wanted to at least clean Bad’s hoodie if he was going to be clinging to it. He was going to sow it up too but he has to put that aside for later. His hands wouldn’t stop trembling when he picked up the needle and thread.

The hoodie is the only thing keeping him together. That, and the idea of seeing Bad again, which shadows each and every thought he has.

“I couldn’t sleep.” Skeppy answers after a long pause, knowing Dream wanted an answer. He didn’t want to give one but then again, there’s a lot of things he doesn’t want. He doesn’t want Dream here for one but he’s not getting that.

“Oh, that’s a shame.” Dream says, as if he wasn’t the reason why.

Skeppy has to clench his jaw to remain silent.

It’s gonna be a long day.

It’s gonna be a long week.

—

To his credit, he gets five days without too much trouble, which is more than he thought he’d last.

He supposes all the screaming he goes into his pillow and sobbing in his shower probably helped in making Skeppy not snap at Dream. Bad always said that bottling up his feelings was never a good idea after all.

But Skeppy has his breaking points. He just didn’t expect his to be so simple.

Every day for five days straight, Dream visits Skeppy. Always for over an hour but luckily leaves before the sun goes down. Dream is infuriatingly talkative and despite his usual energetic personality, Skeppy is more of a brick wall than anything. He answers any questions Dream has- only because Dream gets irritated when he doesn’t- but otherwise he keeps his eyes trained on the ground and his mouth shut.

Just go along with it until you get Bad back. He tells himself. Swallow your pride for a while. Don’t want him to get hurt because of you.

It works for five days. Five, infuriatingly long days where he sees no one but Dream. Five days where he has to lie to everyone trying to get in contact with him or Bad, saying Bad took a last minute trip and he’ll be back soon. Five days where he lies to himself, saying Dream will keep his promise.

Will he though? A doubt whispers in his head. Skeppy tries not to flinch too hard at the thought.

Skeppy doesn’t snap until Dream brings up the one thing he shouldn’t have. Skeppy was barely listening to his monologue until Bad’s name is on his tongue and Dream-

Dream has the audacity to talk about Bad like they’re friends. To be fond.

Dream’s threats still lie in his mind but Skeppy has had enough. He’s through with holding back, all he wants to do is wipe that fucking look off his face.

So that’s exactly what he does.

Dream takes the blow head on, clearly not expecting Skeppy to lash out like he does. A crack fills the air as Skeppy’s fist makes contact with Dream’s face and Dream stumbles, though recovers quickly. One hand carefully reaches up to brush where Skeppy hit him, flinching when it stings, and maybe Skeppy should dread what comes or regret it but he doesn’t.

It felt good. His fist stings, he pants in frustration but it’s the closest he’s gotten to closure in five days. He has enough sense to not throw a second punch but by god does he want to. But Skeppy’s only willing to take the punishment for one punch, not for completely losing it on him.

His back is slammed into the wall, knocking the wind out of him, but even then Skeppy can’t find it in him to regret it. Dream pins him to the wall, a snarl releasing in his throat and his forearm presses up against Skeppy’s throat, not quite choking but definitely a warning.

“Skeppy,” Dream hisses, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Don’t talk about Bad that way.” Skeppy shoots back. “You kidnapped him and you still think you have the right to say his name?”

Dream’s eyes darken. “You haven’t learned a thing, have you?” Skeppy doesn’t answer. He doesn’t need to. “Well since you so clearly need more motivation to learn respect, I’ll teach it to you. I was being merciful, Skeppy. But I have no patience if you don’t treat me with the same respect I give you.”

“Respect?” Skeppy spat, letting out a choking laugh. “What about this says respect to you?”

Dream’s head tilted down at him, teeth gritting. “If anybody else talked about me like you did, I won’t have hesitated to show them no mercy. I gave you a chance to redeem yourself peacefully because you’re important to Bad but looks like we’re going to have to do this the hard way.”

Dream released him and Skeppy tried not to show how relieved he was to not have the pressure on his throat. He kept Dream’s gaze as steadily as he could manage and didn’t back down.

“Prepare yourself for tomorrow. You’re in for a work out.” Dream said coldly. “I trust you know what happens if you try to avoid it or go crying to somebody to rescue you?”

Skeppy narrowed his eyes and nodded once. “You better not hurt him. I can take a few hits but if you hurt Bad, I’m not playing by your rules anymore.”

“For his sake, you alone will suffer for your disrespect.” Venom dripped in the last word. “As long as you don’t break any of the other rules, he’ll remain safe and sound.”

He’ll never be safe with you. Skeppy wanted to spit, but kept his mouth firmly shut. He nodded to show he understood, and Dream stomped out the door and enderpearled away.

Maybe he would regret his action but under all of his bottled up emotions and resentment towards Dream, was satisfaction that just for a moment, he got back at Dream.

—

Two things changed from then on. On the bright side, Dream stopped bringing but Bad unless it was warning Skeppy about crossing the line.

On the other, Dream meant what he said when he told Skeppy he would stop holding back.

The immediate day after, Dream shows up at his doorstep, eight o’clock sharp and jolts Skeppy awake with his banging. He’s got a backpack full of supplies and two wooden swords which can mean nothing good, and says they’re going on a little trip.

Skeppy follows him hesitantly. Dream doesn’t say a word about the fact that on the short list of things Skeppy is bringing with him, Bad’s hoodie is one of them. It’s one of the very few things that Skeppy silently thanks the green bastard for, not that it outweighs the long list of things that make him hate him.

Dream brings him into a boat and takes him far away from the usual SMP, but Skeppy notes that they’re nowhere near exile. Seems Dream wanted somewhere untouched.

And there, far, far away, Dream docks the boat, finds an open clearing, hands Skeppy one of the swords, and promptly proceeds to beat the shit out of him. He disguises it under ‘Intense training’ like a boot camp but Skeppy doesn’t buy into it for a second. Dream probably knows he doesn’t but doesn’t so much as show an ounce of mercy when he lays in on him.

Skeppy ends up flat on his back and wheezing for air more than once. He knows he’s going to be bruised after this but he tries his best to land as many hits on Dream as he can, no matter how dirty the trick.

To his credit, he gets a few good ones in. Skeppy isn’t as big into combat as Dream is but he knows how to fend for himself well enough. The day passes by at a snail’s pace until finally, it’s dark enough for Dream to call it a day.

Skeppy heads for the boat but Dream stops him, instead throwing him a tent.

His heart sinks when it dawns on him.

Lying on the cold, hard ground instead of the comforts of his bed makes him regret his actions just a little more than he did before. Though not completely.

—

Thankfully ‘Boot Camp’ only lasts a week. It’s a long week that Skeppy hates every minute of but he can survive a week.

Every day he wakes up and undergoes more 'Intense training' and goes to sleep feeling like Dream's personal punching bag. He very quickly learns that Dream's fighting style consists of showing no mercy and striking with brutal efficiency. The only way to survive is by mirroring his style the best he can. By the end of it, Dream finally tells him he can go home.

However Dream informs him that he’s far from done with him. ‘Just getting started, in fact.’ Dream tells him in a dangerous tone.

Dream tells Skeppy that in order to test his “Respect for his authority,” which is just a fancy way to say blind obedience, Skeppy is supposed to work for him now. Just until Dream feels he’s “Ready” again, and Skeppy will see Bad again.

It’s a horrible lie if Skeppy’s ever seen one but it’s all he has. The most Dream has given him thus far has been simple messages that Bad misses him, which makes his heart ache every single time. He’s in a hostage situation, the only way forward is to cooperate.

If he doesn’t, Bad will further be kept away from him.

If he tries to get help or tell someone what's going on, Dream will likely drop off the map with Bad and Skeppy might never see him again, or worse, he’ll hurt him.

If Skeppy runs, he’s never going to see Bad again.

Skeppy’s never been to Dream’s base, assuming that’s where Bad’s being kept at all. He has no leads, no help, and very little hope except for the bits that come as long as he does everything Dream says.

Skeppy’s backed into a corner with Dream breathing down his neck and the only way out being the path Dream has set.

He hates absolutely everything about it but there’s nothing else he can do.

Skeppy agrees to follow Dream’s orders. His stomach churns at the smile that stretches across Dream’s face.

—

Skeppy’s main job is simply being Dream’s eyes and ears. Recording everything that’s done or said in the SMP, constantly making rounds and seeing who’s doing what.

He’s not the only one, Skeppy notices, as Punz works for Dream as well, but Skeppy is on the clock for longer and isn’t paid.

Punz tries asking Skeppy why he’s working for Dream now a few times. Skeppy avoids the question at every turn.

He's given a small communicator to keep in his ear at all times. Dream isn’t always on the other side but Skeppy has gotten far too numb to Dream listening in on everything he does.

He only gets peace when he goes to the bathroom or showers. His average amount of showers per day drastically goes up from just one to two or three from this fact alone. If nothing else, he's at least never been cleaner in his life.

—

Skeppy tells Dream what he’s doing at least five or six times as he walks up to Puffy’s house. Dream doesn’t stop him so he takes it as confirmation that it’s allowed.

(He hates that he has to ask permission now.)

Puffy is surprised to see him but warm and welcome. Skeppy tries not to make it overly obvious that he’s missed having a friendly face around but bites his tongue and keeps it professional, slipping in a few friendly comments to look natural but keeps his answers vague when asked questions.

(Puffy is smart, she’ll figure out something is up, if she hasn’t already. Skeppy has been keeping his messages to everyone who gets into contact with him slightly dry in hopes that someone will eventually put the puzzle pieces together.

It really isn’t much but Skeppy can’t press too hard or Dream will pick up on his subtle cries for help. However if anyone could figure it out, it’s Puffy. Sam or Ant as well but if all goes right now, Skeppy will have tipped more clues in their favor.)

Skeppy eventually gets around to what he came for, pulling out Bad’s hoodie and holding it out to Puffy. He tells her it tore during a training accident and Bad sent him to get it fixed up since his own sewing machine broke. Puffy examines it closely- Skeppy doesn’t miss how she almost asks further questions about how it tore so violently but decides against it when Skeppy tenses- and agrees to fix it up.

“It’s a simple enough fix.” Puffy tells him. “Should only take an hour or so. You can come back and get it later if you got somewhere to be.”

Skeppy’s throat closes up. The silent look he sends Puffy is enough for her to retract her statement. “Or, actually I could use your help to determine if I’m getting the colors right. Don’t want the tear to be too noticeable, y’know?”

Skeppy echoes an agreement and sits down awkwardly behind her. Puffy brings her sewing machine out of her closet and sets it up. Absentmindedly, she asks Skeppy about how Bad is doing.

Skeppy freezes, but only for a second. The same lie he’s being telling everyone so far comes easy once he’s recovered. Puffy’s response sounds nonchalant but the glance she sends him is anything but.

She noticed. It’s not much but it’s something- crumbs of hope that Skeppy inhales gratefully. It’s something dangerously close to hope and Skeppy is more than okay with getting burned.

Puffy mostly works in silence but throws out a few friendly comments and tells a few stories. Skeppy soaks in every word, relishing in a voice that isn’t Dream’s and while his responses are repetitive and short, he stays as engaged with the story as he can.

By the end of it, Puffy hands back Bad’s hoodie, looking almost as good as new. Skeppy hugs it close to his chest and gives her a ‘Thank you’ that comes out more intense than it should’ve. Puffy gives him a casual ‘If you need anything, don’t be a stranger’ but the look in her eyes is genuine and serious.

‘Do you need help?’ Puffy asks silently.

Skeppy can’t answer, simply thanking her again and heading back home. He hopes what he gave her will be enough.

It has to be. For both his and Bad’s sake.

—

Dream doesn’t so much as acknowledge that Skeppy now wears Bad’s coat obsessively other than a slight smirk when he first saw it.

Skeppy rarely takes it off except to wash it every couple of days when he’s in the shower. It keeps him warm and sometimes he pretends that Bad is here with him, by his side or hugging him or sleeping next to him at night. On the worst of days, it keeps him sane, or as sane as he can be.

Other people take notice. First Punz, who makes a joke about it at first but has now become concerned. Others who catch Skeppy lurking in the distance notice too, sometimes just looking at him weirdly and others, calling him out for it. Tommy namely, but Skeppy never says a word about it.

How the hell would he even go about explaining it in the first place without giving himself away? He doesn’t trust his cover story anymore, not to the people that know him anyways. He has to avoid Sam, Ant, and Puffy like the plague in fear that they’re going to say something that will alert Dream that they know something’s wrong and Skeppy really can’t have that. Not now at least, not while Bad is still in harm's way.

Sam and Ant damn near ruin everything for him one day.

They spot him spying on the SMP and rush to catch up to him. Skeppy nearly loses them but Ant, a professional hunter, catches up to him and blocks his path with Sam covering his way out. Skeppy’s heart stutters and he takes a breath to keep his cool.

“Skeppy, we need to talk.” Ant tells him immediately. “What the hell is going on with you? Where’s Bad?”

Skeppy bites the inside of his cheek and scans for possible escapes. There aren’t a lot of them considering the combined strength of the two. Of course it had to be Sam and Ant.

“Skeppy,” Sam tries in a placid voice. “Talk to us, please. We don’t know what’s going on, why are you spying on everyone? Why aren’t you talking to anyone? Is something going on? Are you in danger- do you need help?”

Yes, yes, please, yes- Skeppy bites back a reply and settles for a blank look. Even out here, Skeppy has no idea if Dream is watching him somehow. He can’t afford to slip up, even if it would be for his own good.

Skeppy takes a breath- Sam and Ant perk up hopefully- and Skeppy speaks in the best monotone voice he can muster, “Bad is dealing with personal matters away from the SMP. He’ll be back in a few months, hopefully.”

Sam and Ant share looks. “Yeah, we know, we read your messages.” Ant says. “But that- it doesn’t answer any of our questions.”

“I am perfectly fine. If I’m acting weirdly, it’s only because I miss Bad.” Skeppy repeats the script burned into his head. “I apologize if I worried you. I am not in the mood for socializing.”

“I… What?” Sam gave him an exasperated look. “Skeppy-”

“I’m currently busy.” Skeppy takes a side step away from them. “But if you want to get in contact later, message me and I’ll get back to you as quick as I can.”

Skeppy slips away in their confusion. They don’t try to chase him down for details, but Skeppy hopes his answers were enough to tip them off. They were exactly like his texts after all, almost down to the word.

They don’t attempt to approach him again but Dream still didn’t like Skeppy drawing attention to himself. He’s provided with several invisibility potions from then on.

—

Skeppy is sent to cover Tommy’s old house in netherrack and flames with an ominous message in the end. Personally, he thinks it’s overkill but whatever, Dream is just like that.

Dream intends to end the Disc War, once and for all. Skeppy isn’t sure exactly what that’s going to entail but with Dream, it can’t be anything good. He almost wants to warn Tommy but he figures anything Skeppy already knows is something Tommy’s figured out. He’s kept relatively in the dark anyways.

However apparently, Skeppy’s meant to have a role in the war. He doesn’t know why but Dream sends him coordinates to go to the day before and Skeppy starts on the journey.

He arrives in an extreme cliff biome with Dream waiting near the top. Dream greets him near giddily and Skeppy can barely match a tenth of the enthusiasm. The hills are near freezing, cold wind sending chills down Skeppy’s spine while Dream seems unaffected.

“Do you know where we are?” Dream asks. Skeppy scans the area again for good measure and shakes his head. He’s never been here before. “We’re somewhere very important. Or at least, it will be. When history looks back on this moment, these hills will be legendary. The final destination.”

“Final destination…” Skeppy mumbles, eyebrows furrowing. “For what?”

“For the battle that will secure my victory. It ends here.” He can hear the grin in his voice. “It was fun while it lasted but once it’s over, I win. It’ll take some time to secure everything but winning this battle will set a domino effect. I won’t lose after I win this. I’ve made sure of it.”

Another one of his monologues. Skeppy would roll his eyes if he could. Maybe it’s the fact that he hasn’t had a decent conversation in a week but he ends up throwing him a bone despite himself. “And what happens when you win?”

“Peace.” Skeppy almost barks a laugh. “Control. Everyone will be one big happy family again. Do you understand why I’m doing this now, Skeppy? It’s all for the greater good. Destroying L’Manburg to destroy sides, finally ending the Disc War to put an end to conflict,”

One of Dream’s arms snakes around his shoulders and hangs there. Skeppy tenses but doesn’t move. He tries not to think about how this is the closest he’s gotten to a hug in weeks. “This- this whole training thing between you and me- that is for the greater good. In order to establish peace, I need people to respect me, Skeppy. To follow my authority.”

Respect and following authority are two very different things, Skeppy thinks.

“And you’ve benefited from the training too- you’re stronger now! You can’t deny that!”

Unfortunately, no, he can’t deny that. He’s sharper than he’s been in years. He hates that he owes Dream for that.

At least, he thinks he does. His anger has lost its spark. He mentally hacks at his relationship with Dream with a dulled blade. He doesn’t know what he feels anymore, he’s just tired. And cold.

His fingers curl around the fabric of Bad’s hoodie.

“Skeppy,” Dream retrieves his arm and instead, faces him directly. “Things are finally looking up for this SMP.”

Skeppy doesn’t respond.

—

They stay up on that mountain for a long time. Dream gives about two or three more monologues and Skeppy listens because he has nothing else to do. Otherwise, he sits up against one of the acacia trees and lets time drift by.

He still doesn’t know why he’s here. Dream has yet to enlighten him.

But eventually, Skeppy’s attention is brought to two figures finally approaching. Skeppy almost wants to warn Tommy and Tubbo to turn back now while they still have a head start but knows it would be pointless. They’re here for the same reason Dream is: To end things, once and for all. Tommy never really listened to him anyways.

When they finally touch down on where they’re waiting, Dream greets them coolly and gets an icy response from Tommy. Tubbo locks onto Skeppy first, nudging Tommy to catch his attention and both of them gape at Skeppy like a couple of koi fish. It would’ve been funny any other time but Skeppy doesn’t have it in him to so much as smile in amusement.

Nothing about this is very amusing anyways. Dream brought him here to- what, watch him beat up a couple of kids on the sidelines? What’s the point of that exactly?

Tommy’s gaze hardens and he turns back to Dream. “I thought you said it would just be us. What the hell is Bitchboy doing here?”

“He’s a part of the demonstration.” Dream says, and Skeppy does not like the sound of that. “Skeppy, if you would?”

All eyes are on him now. Skeppy shifts uncomfortably but slowly stands and joins Dream’s side. Dream holds up a finger, walking over to the jukebox he had set up in advance, and like the dramatic bitch he is, plays a familiar looking disc. Immediately, Tommy and Tubbo are on red alert.

“Skeppy,” Dream says again, and Skeppy knows what he’s supposed to do before he says it. Doesn’t make the command any easier. “Attack.”

Skeppy only hesitates for a second upon seeing the pair in front of him tense. Only a second. The next thing he knows, his sword is out and already clashing with Tommy’s.

Funny how desensitized he’s gotten to taking orders and fighting.

Tommy hisses something along the lines of, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” But Skeppy barely hears him. He focuses on keeping a steady stance and when Tubbo swings at him, he dodges the attack narrowly before making his own strike.

To his credit, Skeppy does well against the two of them for a while. He lands a few good hits but ensures that all of them aren’t lethal or too painful and dodges most of their attacks. Between Tommy’s relentless fighting style and Tubbo’s quick and clever way of going about it though, it’s not a fight he’s going to win and he knows that.

Dream knows that. Dream, who sits by the jukebox and watches the entire time. He doesn’t care if Skeppy wins or not. It’s just like he said, he’s here for a demonstration.

Dream doesn’t say a word until Tubbo finally manages to kick his legs out from under him and Skeppy is flat on his back. Tommy’s sword is against his neck a moment later and he growls at Skeppy to drop his weapon. He’s forced to comply.

“Not bad.” Dream says at last. Skeppy can’t tell who it’s directed at until he continues, “Still got a ways to go though. That’ll be enough, Skeppy.”

Tommy glares up at Dream. “Alright, Dream, I got your- whatever he is. Hand over one of the discs or I’ll kill him. I swear to god I will.”

Dream only chuckles at that. “I think you greatly misunderstood my relationship to Skeppy. I don’t care if you kill him or not.”

“Tommy,” Tubbo says, frowning and sizing him up. “I think we should let Skeppy go. He wasn’t trying to kill us.”

Tommy meets Tubbo’s gaze for a moment before relenting. Skeppy sits up slowly but doesn’t meet anyone’s gaze. He gets up, shuffles off to the side, and presses his back against one of the few trees around again.

“What was that for then?” Tommy demands. “Since when does Skeppy work for you?”

“Oh, for quite a long time now. But I’ll get to that later. You want your discs, don’t you Tommy?”

Tommy scoffs at him like it’s obvious, which it is. Dream opens his arms wide.

“Then come and get them.”

And Skeppy watches as Tommy and Tubbo launch themselves at him.

—

It was a one sided fight. Skeppy knew how it would end from the beginning.

Dream lets Tommy and Tubbo launch attack after attack and either dodges, blocks, or tanks all of it. He allows Tommy to retrieve the disc in the jukebox and only when Tommy’s rushing to his enderchest does he strike. Quick, efficient, and without mercy, as Dream always has.

Tubbo is kept at bladepoint. Tommy is forced to choose. He hands the disc back and Dream laughs and laughs and laughs.

It wasn’t even a real disc. Skeppy suspected as much but even so, it’s cruel how he snaps it in half right in front of them, cackling that they fell for it. He forces them to drop everything they have in a hole before he blows it all up, then finally he beckons not only Tommy and Tubbo to follow him, but Skeppy as well.

Down the mountain they go, slowly but surely. Tommy keeps sneaking glances at Skeppy. Skeppy pretends he doesn’t notice.

“When the fuck did you become Dream’s fucking dog?” Tommy blurts out at last. His gaze burns a hole in the back of his head.

Skeppy ignores him until Dream speaks up. “Why don’t you tell him, Skeppy? Go on.”

It’s the last thing he wants but Skeppy catches Dream’s gaze and realizes that he’s not asking. It’s a command. “Couple weeks. A month. I haven’t really been keeping track anymore.”

“A month?” Tubbo blinks at the date. “That’s a long time- is that why you and Bad have been MIA?”

“Yeah, speaking of, why are you wearing BadBoyHalo’s hoodie?” Tommy narrows his eyes on him. “And why the fuck are you working for Dream? Are you some sort of mercenary now?”

Skeppy grits his teeth at the mention of Bad. His heart squeezes and the last thing he wants to do is explain himself. He just wants to go home- real home, where he and Bad both live. He hasn’t had that in a long time.

“Skeppy works for me because he needed to be taught a few things.” Dream answers, finally reaching the bottom of the mountain. “You’ll have answers soon. Follow me.”

Skeppy keeps his gaze on the ground and obeys. Tommy and Tubbo exchange looks and follow.

Skeppy’s never been inside Dream’s base until now. He sweeps them inside, taking them down into the basement with a redstone elevator and shows them a room full of black stone and bedrock.

A room with two discs on gold flooring and a long hallway full of item frames, aquariums, and animal pens.

And then, Dream starts to talk about attachments. How he controlled Tommy through his attachments with the discs and Tubbo, how everyone on the SMP has attachments, how he’s going to finally bring peace to the SMP through control.

“You’re full of it, you know?” Tommy tells him harshly. Skeppy stifles a laugh because he’s never appreciated Tommy’s bluntness more. “You can’t just control everyone because of a few attachments.”

“Oh really?” Dream hums. Skeppy knows that hum. That’s his ‘I’ve already won’ hum. “Because I already have been.”

Tommy scoffs. “I don’t count.”

“Wasn’t talking about you. Hey, Bad?”

Skeppy freezes. The world stops when he hears a faint reply. “H- hello?”

Skeppy bolts before he can think. He knows he heard it near the end of the hall and skids to a stop at some iron bars built into the wall. A small cell with nothing but a bed, a small bathroom, and some space to walk is there, and on the other side of the bars, a pair of white eyes blink at him.

He’s not nearly as well kept as he usually is and his coat is missing but it’s unmistakably him. Bad covers his mouth, eyes watering at the sight of him. “Skeppy?”

Skeppy can’t move. He can’t believe what he’s seeing- there’s no way…

He only moves when a shaky arm sticks itself between the bars and reaches for him. Bad calls his name again and Skeppy takes his hand, squeezing it.

It’s warm. It’s real. Holy shit, this is real.

Dream, Tommy, and Tubbo are talking about him now. He doesn’t have it in him to care or even listen into what they’re saying, he just reaches his hand through the bars and cups Bad’s face with his hands.

His eyes get blurry but he doesn’t cry. Not yet, not now, not here. Not when Bad is sobbing in relief telling Skeppy how worried he was about him and how he wasn’t even sure if Dream was being truthful about him being okay. Not when Bad is still stuck in that cell and Skeppy doesn’t know how long this moment will last.

He’s not going to ruin it by crying. He wants to look at Bad for as long as he can before Dream inevitably drags him away.

This moment won’t last. Savor it.

“Bad,” Skeppy lowers his voice to a low hush. “I don’t know how long we have so I need to know, are you okay? Is he treating you okay? Are- are you eating enough?”

Bad swallows, eyes now looking more sullen than before and nods. “I’m okay.” He whispers back. It’s… Lonely. And boring. But I’m okay.” He leans into Skeppy’s hands. “I missed you so much… I worried about you, I- I thought he was lying to me for awhile. That he killed you and you were gone and he just hadn’t told me yet so I’d cooperate.”

Skeppy laughs hollowly. “Same with me. I didn’t think he would but- I wasn’t sure. He didn’t give me any confirmation so it was hard to say.”

Bad echoes his laugh, one hand raising to wipe his eyes. Their attention is brought back to the other three when they begin to shout.

Dream tells Tommy that he’s going to kill Tubbo and to say his goodbyes. Skeppy freezes.

“Go. Help him.” Bad pleads. Skeppy’s eyes shut.

“I don’t want you to get hurt…”

“I’ll be fine- please!” Bad takes his hands into his own and pushes them towards Skeppy. “Don’t let him-!”

The portal shimmers. Punz’s voice rings out and suddenly, more and more people pop out of the portal and Dream steps back, realizing he’s outnumbered.

There’s hope. For a brief moment, Skeppy has hope, and then Dream turns towards him, pulls something out of his pocket, and holds it up for him to see.

A key.

A key.

“Fight for me and I’ll give it to you.” Dream promises.

Skeppy pulls away from Bad. Bad’s pleading falls on deaf ears as he pulls out his sword.

And all hell breaks loose.

—

Skeppy shouldn’t have lasted as long as he did.

But with the surprise of him lashing out on his side, the fact that half the people there don’t want to fight him, and the other half want to focus more on Dream than him, Skeppy lasts. Far longer than he should.

The sheer number however means that Dream and Skeppy are soon backed into a corner. Everyone’s talking at once, Dream’s eyes are looking everywhere but him, and Skeppy is within range.

His grip tightens on his weapon. Dream doesn’t realize Skeppy is moving towards him until it’s too late to dodge and the sword sinks right into his stomach.

Everyone freezes except for Skeppy. He moves faster, knocking Dream’s sword out of his hand and kicking it away before making a hasty retreat. His heart pounds at a million miles per second but he doesn’t regret what he did.

Dream taught him no mercy and brutal efficiency, after all.

He has two other lives anyways.

Tommy takes the lead of the crowd as Dream’s body heals itself and he jolts back to life again. Skeppy is absorbed into the crowd, someone grabbing his arm and yanking him far away from Dream.

He turns and meets the eyes of Ant, who asks him if he’s okay and what happened. Skeppy can’t find the words to answer, stumbling nervously with adrenaline pumping in his systems.

The rest goes by in a blur. Sam and Puffy join the other two and as soon as they realize Skeppy is in no place to speak, Sam offers him a hug and Skeppy surprises everyone, including himself, at how fast he takes him up on that. It turns into a group hug and Skeppy wished he was in a better place so he could enjoy it more.

But he’ll be fine. He’ll be fine because Dream is stripped of his things, someone presses the key into Skeppy’s hand and he races to Bad.

He fumbles with the key so much that Ant has to take it and unlock it for him. The second it’s open, Bad clings to him like a koala and cries into his shoulder. Skeppy shakes but he still can’t cry. The dam doesn’t break loose and instead, he has a deathly tight hold on Bad, afraid to let go.

Puffy and Ant join in too with Sam doing the same for a second before rounding up Sapnap and taking Dream off to prison.

Skeppy doesn’t relax until Dream is past the portal. Then he sinks into Bad’s grip and releases a breath he was holding.

Dream’s gone and Bad is here.

It sounds too good to be true and if Bad wasn’t in his arms, he might not have believed it. But he is and Skeppy can’t tell if he’s going to sleep like a baby tonight or if he’s going to spend all of it wide awake and sticking by Bad’s side, fully expecting Dream to appear in the doorway.

But that’s future Skeppy’s problem. He can enjoy this for now. He can pretend everything is all better for now.

Everything’s fine. His mind whispers. Everything will be okay.

Skeppy wants to believe it’s true. So for now, he does.