Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This was it.

This was exactly what he had been looking for.

Dream held the small vile upwards, the crimson liquid within appearing to glow by the sunlight peeking in.

"Perfect. Thank you for your hospitality." Dream spoke not taking his eyes off the vial to look at the corpses of the hags he had slaughtered a few moments ago.

Witches were all too secretive but they could do things with potions far beyond imagination. So when Dream had found out about this particular potion, the witches were the only ones with the knowledge to do so.

They agreed to make the potion but they had wanted some rather extravagant payment. Dream paid them of course... Before slaughtering them with his axe and crossbow.

He now had the perfect thing to control Tommy, and with him in his control the rest of the server would follow soon after due to their attachments to the boy. Dream would finally have his power back.

The masked man placed the potion into his bag before walking out the door, not bothering to avoid the puddles of blood. He brought out a torch and carelessly let it drop onto the wooden floor of the hut as he left.

He smiled behind his quartz guise as the house began to burn behind his back. Logstedshire was a bit away but it gave him plenty of time to think on how to slip the avian hybrid the potion.

Yes, things were finally going to plan.

"Alright! Now we're getting the hang of this!" Tommy stated as he focused on weaving the yarn into the loom.

It had been nearly five months since he had been exiled and if he was to be frank most of it was terrible. He would lose all his hard work each day, he would have to sleep in a crappy tent each day, and worst of all he had to deal with Dream and no one else.

Ghostbur long left, and Ranboo and the others stopped visiting months ago. Tubbo hadn't even visited once... Which hurt more than expected.

All he had was Dream... And he was uncertain on how to feel about him. Dream was like a coin, depending on the flip he could be favorable or an absolute nightmare. Some days Dream and him would have a grand ol' time and laugh their asses off. Other days he would yell and scream at him.

He didn't like Dream's bad days... Especially the days where he hits him. It was never anything serious, just a smack, a punch, maybe a kick. But it was because he wasn't following the rules, so he deserved it.

Dream was trying to help him... But still he was uncertain of the man.

Tommy shook his head trying to rid the cobwebs of unnecessary thoughts and get back to the task at hand.

When Tommy was young and his father and brothers were out hunting and fishing, his mother taught him how to use a loom. He learned to make blankets, clothes, banners, heck he and his mother had made a tent for the family to camp in once.

It was a hobby he mostly kept to himself due to its connection to his departed mother but he out here he didn't mind as much. It wasn't like anyone was going to see him doing it.

Tommy stretched his back letting his wings unfold for a bit and get some air, before leaning back over the loom with a new color of yarn ready to go.

He honestly had expected Dream to threaten his wings when he got here but he never even focused on them when he was mad. When he was on his good days he even offered to preen them for him which threw Tommy for a loop.

When he asked how he knew about preening let alone how to do it, his answer wasn't what he was expecting to be perfectly honest.

"George is an avian hybrid too, I grew up learning to preen his wings along with Sapnap and Bad. I know how important it is to keep your wings nice and healthy."

Tommy's stomach was unsettled at the thought. He, Wil, Quackity, and Phil have all spoke in avian speak around George and he couldn't speak or understand a word... meaning he had been clipped. His wings were gone.

Tommy didn't bring it up again.

Tommy went back to his weaving carefully interlacing the colors of yarn and pulling them tight into a pattern. Soon enough the sun had begun to set and his hard work was complete.

He laid out the newly made blanket next to the one he had started on this morning. It was starting to get cold at night and his thin blanket in the tent wasn't going to cut it much longer.

He knew Dream was probably going to destroy them the moment he sees them, but hopefully he can get a word in to the masked man before he tries. He made two for a reason after all.

He made one with patterns of greens and blues just for Dream, he made sure to have that one done first so hopefully his peace offering would be accepted. The second one he had made with tones of red, orange, and yellow much like his wings. The colors made him feel warm and happy and he was rather proud of his craftsmanship. But he knew if Dream liked the red one more he would give it to him.

"Hey Tommy I'm back."

Tommy's head shot up as the masked man walked out of the woods with a bag in hand.

"Hey Big D! Right on time! Just finished something for ya!"

Dream tilted his head slightly before setting the bag down and walking up to where Tommy was sitting. He looked down at the two blankets and gave a chuckle.

"Well I'll be damned, how the hell did you get the emeralds to pay for this?"

Tommy's face went red for a moment before replying, "...I actually made these..."

The masked man seemed to be a bit skeptical before looking over to the loom and yarn.

"When the fuck did you learn this? Like these are really fucking good looking Tommy." The man complimented.

Tommy gave a small smile before stating, "My mum taught me when I was young since I wasn't old enough to go out with the guys."

"So I'm guessing you want to keep one right?" Dream asked as he examined the blankets closer.

Tommy gulped before nodding, "It's starting to get colder and my old blanket has started getting rather ragged as of late..."

"I see."

Dream picked up both blankets before placing them into his bag.

"I appreciate the gift Tommy but I'll hold onto your blanket until it's time to change them. With that said..."

Dream picked up a shovel which in turn caused Tommy to begin gathering up his things, including his newly made loom and yarns.

The routine was integrated into his brain by now. Dream digs a hole, Tommy throws his stuff into the hole, Dream blows it up, and repeats the next day.

Tommy watches as his meager belongings explode once again with the same melancholy feeling flooding his veins, before Dream goes back to the bag he had set down earlier.

"So I caught a stag earlier while I was out so I figured we could have venison stew for dinner."

Tommy gave a weak smile, "Sounds good Big D."

"So any other hidden talents I should know about Tommy?" Dream asked as he stirred the stew pot.

Once it was ready he'd pour the elixir into Tommy's bowl before serving it. But for now he needed to keep the blonde distracted so he wouldn't notice the potion being slipped in.

"Hmmm well not really a secret but when my brothers and I were young Dad insisted we learn an instrument as a way to express ourselves and Mum was all for it too. Wil took up the guitar, Tech went for the piano, and I ended up with Grandad's old violin."

Tommy gave a small chuckle looking up at the night sky, "At first, I hated it and Techno and Wil always gave me crap about it but I ended up loving playing it especially with Dad. Dad could play the cello and with the violin it just... it was a nice time in my life."

"I wonder... If he still remembers..." He whispered softly.

Dream rolled his eyes beneath his mask. This brat was always too focused on the past and all these sentimentalizes. Luckily tonight would be the last he has to hear about any of it.

"Never figured you for a violinist. Anything else I should know?" Dream asked making sure to sound interested.

"I am semi-fire resistant." Tommy mentions off hand.

Dream stops his stirring and stares at Tommy in disbelief.

"...How?"

"Dream my Mum was piglin hybrid, my brother too. Me and Wil both leaned more Avian genes but we still inherited some piglin traits." Tommy stated as if that was the most normal thing in the world.

"...That honestly explains so much..." Dream stated as he went back to his stirring so the food wouldn't burn.

Tommy let out a chuckle, "Yeah, guess it does."

Finally the food was ready and Dream pulled out the bowls making sure to slip the potion into Tommy's bowl before filling it and mixing it in. The witches said it was tasteless but the red would still appear, which was why Dream made such a darker stew filled with red meat. Tommy's stew looks no different from the rest of the food.

Dream also poured himself a bowl. Now all that's left was for-

"SON OF A BITCH!"

Dream's head sprung up to look at the blond teen. There was a large black snake biting into his arm as he was trying his hardest to get the damned thing off.

Dream shot up and quickly ran to the teen's aid. His plans mean nothing if the brat dies to a fucking snake of all things.

Tommy let out a hiss and whined as the snake's fangs dug deeper, blood trickling down his forearm. Tears dripped down the teen's face, his wings grew puffed up as the pain increased.

Dream killed the snake with a quick slash from his axe, forcing it's dead maw to release it's captive. The masked man quickly picked up the dead snake and guided the injured teen closer to the fire.

Once in better lighting he first looked over the snake, looking for any distinct markings. He opened the snake's mouth and looked at the fangs. Non-venomous, thank Prime for that.

He tossed the snake carcass into the flames before pulling out a healing potion, a few rags, and bandages. "You got lucky, it was a non-venomous rat snake."

The blonde relaxed at that, letting out a breath he had no idea he had been holding, "Fucking hell... I didn't even hear it come up."

"You should be more careful Tommy. That one might have not been venomous but the next one could be. Now you don't want to worry your friend now do you?" Dream asked as he pulled the bandage tight.

"N-No... I-I'm sorry Dream..."

"Good."

Dream quickly grabbed the bowls and handed Tommy his. "Eat, it'll help you feel better."

"A-Alright."

Dream watched with delight as Tommy took the first bite before getting into his own stew. By tomorrow his plan will be a success and he would have his first step to regaining control.

Soon enough the bowls were empty and the two sat in the glow of the golden fire.

"I think I might go to bed now, Dream. It's getting pretty late. Shouldn't you be sailing back to the SMP?" Tommy asked with a yawn.

"Might not be the best idea, my stomach isn't feeling so good. Mind if you have a tent mate tonight?"

It was a lie of course. He needed to make sure he was here in the morning but the blonde didn't have to know that.

"Oh shit, yeah big D. I can grab some mint if you need it."

"Where'd you find mint?" Dream asked, tilting his head.

"When Bad visited he left some mint plants and we planted them by Ghostbur's house."

'Oh yeah, I forgot about that.' Dream thought thanking the Primes he had a mask on hiding his flustered face.

"Well then I'll get to try your handy work tonight Tommy. Let's hit the hay."

The two carefully put out the campfire before making their way over to the tent. They carefully crawled in and covered themselves with the blankets before closing the tent flaps and lying down.

Dream had intended on watching the potion go to work but he felt more exhausted than he had expected. It didn't matter, he'll see it in the morning. Dream unclipped his mask, setting it aside, before resting his head down and falling into a deep sleep.

The next morning the air was cool as the sun began to rise. The ocean's natural lullaby and soothing sounds of birdsong filled the morning air. Everything was peaceful... Until a loud cry rung out.

Tommy's eyes began to flicker open at the loud sound. It was too damn early in the morning to be out here making so much damn noise. Tommy sat up trying to wake up more as the sound became more clear.

Crying. Crying of a child .

Tommy was brought to full alertness as he opened the tent flaps looking around for where the source of the cries were coming from.

Then he felt something brush against his hand.

Tommy looked back into the tent, remembering Dream was here and he could help. He looked down to-

Tommy's eyes widened in sheer shock at what laid at his side.

Dream's clothes, items, and mask were laying on the dirt floor of the tent... And resting in Dream's green hoodie... was a crying baby.

An actual honest to Prime baby. The baby hair was a dark brown color with small streaks of honey gold, their face was matted with freckles all over their cheeks that were puffed up as the baby let out wails, tears dripping down their cheeks.

Tommy carefully picked the child up, hoping to sooth them and figure out what the hell was going on.

The baby's whimpers soon stopped, causing the small child to lean into Tommy's embrace, before they opened their eyes.

Tommy's blood ran cold as he looked into the child's eyes. Into his eyes.

They were a pale minty green that had a blue tint near the top but that wasn't so shocking.

No, he knew those eyes.

He knew them from the Revolution, from the 16th, from this god damned exile. Only one person had these eyes and he had hidden them behind an all too fragile quartz mask.

"...Dream?"

The baby gave a toothy grin (with what little teeth he had) before cooing at the name and trying to grab at his ragged shirt.

Tommy couldn't believe it... Somehow his tormentor, his caretaker, his enemy, his friend... He was somehow now a baby.

"...What the fuck is my life...?!"

Chapter Text

"Okay calm down big man, you can handle this! It's just a baby... Just a baby that used to be fucking DREAM!" Tommy practically screamed.

He had no fucking clue what was happening. Night before, everything was normal and now-

"Ga-wuah!"

Tommy looked at the baby sitting in his tent who played with the colorful blankets flapping his arms and giggling.

Tommy didn't know much about babies. His own experiences where in passing with the exception of his nephew. He was barely eleven when Fundy was born and even then due to his mother's shapeshifter lineage he grew extremely fast to the point he was mentally and physically older than Tommy.

Tommy looked over Dream before making a sort of tent playpen to see if there was any sign of what caused this to happen. There were no spell marks or sigils and he had no marks from a splash potion. He couldn't tell what had caused this and it was freaking him the hell out.

Along with that Tommy noticed Dream could sit up on his own and crawl on his belly but unable to walk. He had a few teeth in his mouth but nothing substantial and could babble and squeal with delight... or deafen with a cry. If he remembered what Wil had said, it would mean Dream was around a year old, maybe a year and a half.

...Tommy also noticed that the child had no diaper. He quickly remedied this with cloth from Ghostbur's house to make some makeshift diapers and cleaning rags.

He ended up grabbing some potion bottles and crafting them into some baby bottles. Luckily Mooshroom Henry wasn't the only cow he kept so he had a supply of milk.

Tommy took a seat on one of the logs around the campfire, head resting in his hands.

"I'm taking care of a fucking baby..."

Normally he would call out for help, get people to help him... But no one had visited him in months. They had all moved on without him... All but Dream.

Tommy looked over to Dream once more who was looking at him with curious eyes. The baby lifted his hands making the grabby motion towards him. He wanted to be picked up.

Tommy let out a sigh before walking over and picking the child up in his arms.

"Guess it's just you and me Big D... Or should I call you Little D."

The baby blew a raspberry and grabbed his free hand playing with his fingers.

The avian let out a small laugh, "Little D it is then. Come on then, let's get you something on your belly then eh."

This should be simple enough.

It wasn't.

"Little D, please at least try it."

The baby only gave a loud sob in return. Tommy had been trying to feed this child for nearly an hour and a half now and he wouldn't take the bottle no matter how hard he tried.

His head was starting to ache as the child's wails were getting to much for him.

He has to be doing something wrong but what...

"Remember Toms, the milk should be warm, not tepid, not cold or hot else the baby will either get sick or not take the bottle at all."

The one piece he remembers from when Fundy was baby, thank the Primes!

Tommy set the bottle near the fire while gently rocking and bouncing the sobbing baby trying to get him to calm for just a moment.

Finally the bottle felt warm to the touch and dropped a bit on his arm to check if it was too hot. It was perfect.

Tommy gingerly reintroduced the bottle to Dream who upon tasting the warm milk grabbed onto the bottle with his tiny hands and began drinking for himself, finally quieting down.

The blonde let out a sigh of relief. He was finally eating and stopped crying, giving Tommy's ears a well deserved break.

Tommy looked over the land of Logstedshire taking in everything before his gaze was taken back to Dream who was slowly falling asleep as he ate.

This was no place for a baby to be and with Dream like this... They surely wouldn't let him back in L'manburg. Techno wanted him dead and he was banished from the SMP lands too.

The avian weighed his options in his head over and over until one rang out past all the others.

Flee. Take Dream and go far away from these war-torn lands and make sure he gets a good home. Maybe find a nice family to care for him.

Compared to the others, it was the only one where both of them come out unscathed and after all the shit he's been through, he wouldn't wish that one anyone let alone a kid.

I mean sure it's a baby version of the man who killed him twice, pushed Wilbur to insanity, and caused him to be exiled... which is really several layers of fucked up. But right now, he's a baby who has no memories of what he's done to Tommy or to anyone else. He's still a child who can't defend himself.

Tommy made up his mind.

He grabbed every item Dream had on him and stored it into his ender chest Ranboo had helped him hide long ago, along with several other items of personal use. He had went to take the mask to the chest as well but... He ended up throwing it on the ground. He might not be able to get back at Dream for making his life hell but this was extremely cathartic to Tommy.

He quickly took the green blue blanket and tied it into a makeshift sling over his chest where Dream now laid comfortably sleeping and got to packing a small pack with food, bottles, and a few other necessities. He looked over the camp once more before spreading his sunset colored wings.

"Goodbye." He whispered to the land that had been his home for many years as he rose into the air, still keeping a firm grip on the child, and began flying to the north west far away from the arctic.

It took Tommy two weeks to realize he had formed a new routine as he flew further away from the SMP.

Wake up. Make breakfast and warm a bottle for Dream. Change Dream's diaper. Wash up. Fly for hours while keeping Dream entertained or sleeping. Find a place to camp. Change Dream again. Make dinner. Sleep. Repeat.

Of course some things varied but for the most part he had been sticking to that exact pattern.

Of course it wasn't perfect. He didn't sleep well, to be fair he hasn't slept well since L'manburg's Revolution. Nightmares were a common place for him especially related to Dream. His older self had taken two of his canon lives and forced the exile onto him. He was still conflicted.

Those nights he just stayed awake staring at the night sky.

But with the bad, comes the good as Phil always used to say. Taking care of Dream had become much easier now he had half an idea of what he was doing.

When he had stopped for a short while in a village to gather some more supplies, one of the villagers offered some advice after Dream has started making a fuss in her shop. She told him that he can snack on pureed fruit and veggies with his milk since he had began growing teeth. Along with that she gave him a good stock of cloth diapers, some baby clothes, and some small soft toys.

Tommy tried to pay for it, but the woman refused saying, "You're a good lad, you need all the money you can to care for your son."

Tommy wanted to tell her he wasn't his son but the woman was already gone to fetch the items and Dream thought it would be a perfect time to pull his hair.

Now here they were, Tommy sitting at the campfire cooking up some pork chops while keeping an eye on Dream who was crawling around his makeshift play area in his green onesie with a stuffed plush bird in hand.

Tommy found out not long into their travels that Dream absolutely adores birds of every kind. Every time while Tommy was flying them across the land and birds flew by, the baby would let out elated giggles and squeals of excitement. It made the avian's heart melt at the scene. Especially when Dream got a good look at Tommy's own wings which the baby was always excited and happy to see.

Tommy's instincts went wild with it and wanted him to hold the baby close and coo out soothing chirps to his nestlin-

No.

No, Dream isn't his baby. This is just temporary until Tommy could find a good family to take him in.

Besides Tommy was only sixteen, he was still a kid himself. How was he supposed to take care of himself let alone a child?

'This is only temporary.' He kept telling himself, staring at the flames.

It was when a storm had blown in, everything had changed.

It had been a solid three months since they started this journey, flying over desserts, jungles, and oceans alike. Never staying in any as they continued to fly farther and farther.

They had stopped for the night in a meadow area that happened to have a small cave, which was a good thing because as soon as Tommy had the fire going and Dream in his little pen area a storm had blown in.

Tommy was just thankful the cave seemed to keep the chill out and it was a rainstorm instead of snow which was rare for December.

If Tommy's math was right it was around Christmas time... Around Tubbo's Birthday...

The blonde's hands tremble for a moment at the thought of his best friend.

Did he notice he was gone? Surely they noticed Dream, but Tommy? No, they probably didn't even know he left.

A loud roar of thunder rocked the air, causing Dream to scream and start sobbing holding his plushie bird tight.

Tommy rushed over to the child and quickly cradled him trying to soothe the scared child.

"Shhh, it's okay Little D. It's just the thunder that can't hurt you." The avian soothed rocking the baby in his arms.

Dream let out more heartbreaking sobs as distant thunder went off and Tommy felt his heart ache for this child.

He had no idea what to do! Dream is scared of the thunder but he has no power over it and he can seem to help him calm down.

Tommy felt tears prickle at his own eyes in frustration over not being able to do anything to help. Another loud roar of thunder rumbled in the sky making Dream scream once more...

"Daddy... I'm scared... I'm really, really scared..."

"Scared of the storm Toms? Well, luckily I know just the trick to keep your mind off it."

Tommy stilled for a moment, memories flooding back as he looked down to the crying baby.

The avian spread his wings protectively around Dream and himself just as his father had done years ago. He gently held Dream closer before beginning to sing softly.

Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby

Back to the years of loo-li, lai-lay

And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow

Bless you with love for the road that you go

May you sail far to the far fields of fortune

With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet

And may you need never to banish misfortune

May you find kindness in all that you meet

Dream's sobs slowly but surely began to quiet, his sea green eyes focused on Tommy who continued to sing the old lullaby and rock him back and forth.

May there always be angels to watch over you

To guide you each step of the way

To guard you and keep you safe from all harm

Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay

May you bring love and may you bring happiness

Be loved in return to the end of your days

Now fall off to sleep, I'm not meaning to keep you

I'll just sit for a while and sing loo-li, lei-lay

Tommy gingerly looked down, taking his hand to dry the tears on the child's face while still softly singing.

May there always be angels to watch over you

To guide you each step of the way

To guard you and keep you safe from all harm

Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay

Thunder rolled once more as the song came to an end, but this time Dream did not cry or scream. He just leaned further into Tommy's comfortable embrace, eyes fluttering with exhaustion.

That's when Dream whispered his first real word as he fell asleep.

"Dada."

Tommy's eyes widened in sheer shock, his wings puffing up as he stared at the now sleeping child.

Dream... Dream had called him Dada. He had called him Dad .

Normally Tommy would be screaming, yelling, cursing, denying this to be true. And yet he was still and calm, holding the sleeping baby close still.

The soft pitter patter of rain and rumbles of thunder was the only noise he could hear outside his rushing thoughts about what just happened. He was unprepared for the inner war inside him as his thoughts of denial and his avian instincts were battling for dominance.

He was supposed to take Dream to a nice family to have a happy life, he should have done that by now after all the villages he's been through but he never did. He just kept saying the next one would be it but it never was.

His instincts were screaming at him, telling him that Dream was his nestling. He was his baby bird to protect and keep safe. His mind was screaming at him to form a nest of cloth to swaddle his baby in to keep him safe and warm.

He had made a decision without even realizing it, hadn't he?

Tommy let out a small chuckle of disbelief with his realization.

"...I'm a fucking father now... Holy shit..."

Tommy held the baby, his son, closer and let out a few chirps of avian letting his nestling know he was safe. He knew Dream wasn't an avian but it helped calm his instincts in his mind a bit.

He soon fell asleep not long after, his son , still curled up in his arms.

With his internal crisis of ' holy shit I'm a dad and have been denying it for the better part of three months ' over his new goal was finding a good place for him and Dream to live.

They were far away from the SMP but he still wanted a nice place for a house and a calm area to build a nice farm with lots of space for Dream to play once he got a bit older.

Preferably somewhere semi-close to a village for trade purposes... and possibly help when Tommy had no clue what to do.

Tommy held Dream tightly as they soared through the air once more, surveying the land instead of just passing it by.

He avoided deserts, swamps, and arctic biomes in general due to their climates being a bit rougher for simple living he had in mind. Birch areas were also off the table mostly because he couldn't stand how they looked.

Luckily Tommy didn't have to think hard on where to build as he passed over another mountain. As soon as he laid eyes on the land he knew that they was home.

It was a large valley nestled in the mountain range with lush forest, a nice large river that led off into the sea. At the sea edge was decent sized village that seemed industrious with fishing and farming. But what caught his eye the most was about four or five miles from the village there was meadow resting on the top of a hill surrounded by trees and abundant with life.

With the addition of the clear skies and fresh air, it was all too perfect to Tommy.

"What do you say little man? Wanna call this place home?" Tommy asked his son.

"Dada fwoosh!"

"I'll take that as a yes." Tommy said with a chuckle.

Tommy held onto Dream tightly as he glided downwards to their new home.

Tubbo didn't know what to expect when he went to Logstedshire, especially since Sapnap and George were with him.

Dream had gone missing according to them and he wasn't responding to any of their com messages. Sure Dream would be a bit of a dick at times and not answer for a few weeks but never longer than a month.

Sapnap and George had looked all over the SMP lands and L'manburg and a good portion of the Nether with no luck at all. So they had gone to Tubbo to ask to check Tommy's exile camp.

Tubbo took up the offer and even offered to join them, as he hadn't spoken to Tommy in nearly a year.

He felt absolutely awful about it but knowing Dream and Quackity had their eyes on him he couldn't even get a proper apology message out, even though Ranboo before he was blocked from visiting Tommy. So here he was with the two walking through the nether portal to what Ghostbur called, 'Logstedshire'.

He was expecting to see a house of some kind, made from dirt or cobble in the true Tommyinnit way, with Tommy doing something silly or crazy on the front lawn. He was expecting to see Tommy angrily glare at them and get mad and he would take it all just to get his friend back.

Tubbo wasn't expecting to see what he did. There was no house, no mine, no crazy build. All that was there was a ragged old tent weathered and torn, a long unused campfire, and several craters that bore the resemblance of a Creeper attack.

"What the fuck...?" Sapnap whispered walking around the area taking in the aged and destroyed site.

Tubbo had walked over towards the tent looking inside to see nothing but old rags and dust. What on earth had happened here? More importantly... Where was Tommy?

"Uh I think I might have found something..."

Tubbo leapt up and he made his way over towards George who was staring at the ground. The young president followed his gaze and froze.

Sapnap was there soon after, "So what did you... find..."

The three of them stood quietly staring at the large dried rusty stain on the ground that reeked of rotting iron. But what made them freeze was the feathers. Crusting bloodied feathers laid in the dried blood murking the beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows.

"Surely not..." Tubbo whispered, his voice quivering.

He looked at the two trying to get some confirmation.

"Surely not... is it?" The teen asked, tears dripping down his cheeks.

George swiftly took charge and embraced the teen president as he let out a sob.

Tommy can't be dead. He can't be! He never got to apologize, he never got to make up with him and invite him back.

...He never got to say goodbye...

Tubbo wailed out screaming into George's chest with no abandon begging for Tommy to come out.

The older man comforted him, letting him scream out his sorrows all while tears dripped down his face.

Sapnap's focus however was on one thing... One thing that shook his very core that the two had yet to notice.

There among the blood covered feathers and reek of old blood and gunpowder was something broken.

The blaze hybrid carefully and respectfully moved aside some feathers before going cold.

It was Dream's mask... shattered and resting directly in the old rusty stain.

No, he couldn't be. Dream had three lives! He couldn't be dead!

...And yet...

Sapnap felt the molten tears drip down his eyes as he let out a pained scream of his own.

They had been careless with the two... and now...

Now they were gone.

Chapter Text

Tommy loved his new home to pieces.

The village down the hill, which he found to be named Port Westwen, was quite friendly and kind and was very accepting of his hybrid traits and the fact he was a young father.

Tommy had figured as he was at least a hundred thousand blocks away from the Dream SMP spawn he could use their real names instead of the aliases he had used in towns previously.

For Dream he had used the name Clay for no other reason than Dream had gotten into a bit of clay before they had made their way into the first town they went to. Tommy unfortunately got stuck with his full name which he hated, Theodore. He didn't even know what his parents were thinking when they named him that, so when he was old enough he decided to go by Tommy.

But here they used the names Tommy and Dream, which was a relief to the older blonde.

Tommy also had to come up with a good backstory as to why he was here, why he had a kid at his age, and where the mom was at, ect, ect. Dream did have some similarities to him so it wasn't hard to convince people that he was in fact his son. The other parts Tommy thought long and hard on.

The story he had come up with was a simple one. Tommy told them he had fallen in love with this girl, Clementine, who had some admin heritage but her family didn't approve and his family had been separated due to an accident so they ran away together with Tommy using his wings to fly them away. He told them she died giving birth to Dream but Tommy promised her to make sure that Dream was safe. Sure, he was young, but he wanted to be a good dad for his kid.

They bought it so well that some of the women of the village were crying and awing at his story. The villagers offered them a house to stay in while Tommy built their house, some food, and a few of the women offered to watch Dream while he worked on the house and taught him how to better care for a child, which he was grateful for.

As for his house he had intended on his normal dirt or cobble build but after talking to some of the villagers about what he should do safety wise for Dream, he switched over to building with oak and spruce and using cobble as an accent block. He didn't want to think about the horror stories they told him about their kids bloodying their faces by landing face first into stone floors or walls.

Dream was getting more mobility meaning sooner or later he's going to try and start walking and the sheer thought of him landing face first on hard stone... Well Tommy wasn't taking chances.

So he began building their home working hard to collect wood, stone, iron, and whatever he needed to make the house during the day. During the evenings he would go and collect Dream from whoever was watching him before going to their temporary house to have dinner and play a bit before bed.

It took a while to build up the courage to leave Dream with them even for a short while but eventually it got easier especially when they brought Dream up to visit as he was getting resources and/or building. Those days were wonderful getting to see his son giggling as he watched Tommy cut down trees or lay down foundation.

By the new year celebration his house had the first floor finished, with a kitchen, living room, bathroom and a stairwell down to his basement/mine/Nether portal. That day he took the day off his work and celebrated with Dream taking him to the booths and eating the softer sweets like ice cream.

The baby was in sheer awe when the fireworks display went off in the night sky, Tommy not so much.

Fireworks reminded him too much of what happened in the Dream SMP. The wars, the battles, the TNT... The booms of the colorful lights brought back things he wished to forget.

That night he excused themselves back to their temporary house with the excuse Dream needed to sleep. That night he kept Dream in his bed instead of his crib. Hearing his son's soft breathing helped him stay calm and finally get some peaceful rest.

Things got only better from there.

With winter finally coming to a close the building process began to accelerate. Walls and rooms were being finished in days instead of weeks. The animal pen, garden area, and some bee houses were set up with ease in a single day. He had even managed to set up a swing in the talk oak in the front yard so that Dream would have something to play on once he was a bit older. By the time April rolled around the house was complete and to celebrate his 17th birthday he and Dream finally were able to move in.

As soon as he set Dream down in their new house, the little boy began zooming on his hands and knees crawling with a giggle. "Dada house! Dada house!" Dream called as he crawled around with a smile.

Ever since Dream had started saying 'Dada' new words were learned on the daily... Which meant Tommy had to watch his mouth.

As much as cursing was a part of him, he didn't want Dream to think it was okay to curse all the time. Tommy never cursed when he was living with his parents, it was only after they were all split up he had picked up the habit, mostly from Wilbur.

So he tried his damned hardest to keep himself from swearing in front of Dream. Instead he would just bite his lip when he felt the urge to swear which probably wasn't the greatest method but he sure as hell wasn't pulling a BBH or Karl.

Shaking his head Tommy quickly scooped up the crawling baby who let out a joyous laugh. "Come on Little D, let's see your room. Can you say 'room'?"

"Rwoom! Dada house rwoom!"

Tommy smiled as he began walking up the stairs before heading to the first door on the left. "Here we are, Dream, here's your room."

It was painted a soft blue with puffy white clouds on the walls, the floor was covered in a green carpet to resemble grass. In the center was Dream's crib where his blanket and plush bird waited for him. Along with that there was a toy chest filled with other toys Dream had come to enjoy, a dresser filled with clothes, a changing station, and a single jukebox.

He had come to find out Dream would go out cold in minutes if music was involved. So Tommy made sure the jukebox was one of the first things in Dream's room along with a few lullaby disk.

He gingerly sat Dream down so the child could explore his new space while going to his dresser and picking out some night clothes.

When he turned around to go get his son, he was absolutely awestruck.

Dream had grabbed onto the crib bars and had managed to stand up on his feet, his tiny legs were shaking slightly. Tommy set down the clothes and knelt down.

"Come on Dream. Come to Dada."

Tommy watched as Dream's blue green eyes locked onto him as he made his first wobbly step. He slowly made another having a bit more trouble but still stood tall. "You've got it. That's it just once step at a time little man."

Dream continued his wobbly steps, almost falling a few times until finally he had reached his father.

Tommy let out a whoop of excitement lifting the now laughing baby into the air.

"I am so proud of you Dream! My sweet Chickadee, you took your first steps! Just wait until your grandp-"

Tommy stopped as a wave of melancholy washed over him.

Right... Phil didn't visit, he didn't know any of this was happening.

The avian let out a sigh before pulling his son into a hug.

"I'm never going to leave you when you need me, okay? If you need me, I will do everything in my power to be there."

Dream was confused but he snuggled into the hug all the same.

A few months passed and soon Dream had his own birthday which let into something all the villagers who had children had warned him about... The terrible twos.

Dream has began running around getting into absolutely everything around him. He would dump flour on the floor, pour apple juice on the table, throw food at meal times, and tried to run outside completely naked after bath time. His favorite words at this time were 'no' and 'Kiwi' which was his favorite and well loved parrot plushie.

Worst of all is when Tommy had to put his foot down and tell Dream he couldn't do that or that he was in trouble. That's when the two year old would throw a tantrum. He would start to cry, laying on the ground kicking and screaming, getting red in the face as he didn't get his way. It took a lot of willpower to stand his ground when Dream got like that but he didn't want his son to be a brat who thinks he could get anything he wanted that way.

After a while Dream would calm down and come sit with Tommy as he calmly explained why he couldn't do those things or say no to absolutely everything. Dream would apologize and the two would cuddle up while the two year old settled into a nap. After naps Dream would be an absolute angel... as long as you didn't mention the word 'nap' that is.

Tommy remembers what his father and brothers had told him about his own terrible twos and he promised if they ever made up and saw each other again, he was going to apologize for everything he put them through.

Although at times it was nice to see Dream so playful and curious about the world. Tommy began introducing him to new things as he did his daily chores. He would set Dream next to him and show him what he was doing like milking the cows, gathering eggs, planting crops, ect. Dream would sit there with amazement in his eyes asking simple questions that Tommy took joy in answering.

Things were going well for them.

"Friend, I do believe we're lost."

The blue sheep gave out a 'baah' in response to the floating ghost.

Ghostbur had been wandering for a long time ever since Dream told him to head this direction to find more party guests for Tommy's party.

He long ago lost track of time only stopping to let Friend rest and eat or to take shelter from the rain and/or snow. All he knew about the area he was in was the mountains he was floating up seemed rather serene.

It seemed odd that Dream would send him the opposite direction of the Greater SMP to find guest, it was almost like he was trying to get rid of Ghostbur. Which was absolutely silly, why would anyone want to get rid of him?

Ghostbur thought about it for a moment before grabbing some Blue, letting the building sadness drain into the crystal like substance turning it soft and blue.

He grinned pulling the leed forwards, "Come on Friend, we're near the peak!"

The sheep once again let out a 'baah' as the two climbed higher.

When they finally reached the peak Ghostbur stared with child-like wonderment of the valley bellow. It looked so beautiful with all the trees and meadows, there was even a village by the sea! How wonderful!

His eye drifted to the single house sat on away from the rest of the town. His past experiences with villages were met with fear or anger at his ghostly appearance and for what Alivebur had done and this one might be the same way. If he starts at the single house maybe the owners can tell the village about the party and they could all go!

Ghostbur let his phantom wings flutter beneath his sweater with excitement as he began leading the blue sheep down the hill in hopes of making new friends!

"Dada want bewwie." Dream stated as he and Tommy were walking hand and hand from the market.

"Once we get home yeah? I don't have a free hand right now Chickadee." The blonde replied, referring to his other hand holding their shopping bags.

"But bewwie good Dada. And I hungy." Dream added with a pout.

Tommy gave a warm chuckle rubbing his thumb against the toddler's hand. "I know you are, as am I. But just think Little D, once we get home not only will we have berries we can have melon too."

The blue green eyes widened at the idea, and Dream quickly picked up the pace.

"Come! Come Dada! Melwon! Melwon!"

The avian rolled his eyes with a chuckle as he was 'dragged' forward by the persistent two year old.

Soon enough their house was in site... and something was immediately off as he saw the animal pen gate was open and a few of the feed bags were missing.

Someone was here and going through their things.

Tommy set down his bags and unfolded his wings hiding Dream behind them.

"Dada...?"

"Stay put Little D. Someone is here."

Tommy kept his sword on him at all times even in this peaceful place. Mostly for the mobs but still he could never be too careful. He drew the netherite blade out and held it in hand, his eyes watching for signs of the intruder.

"Come on out or else I'm coming in after ya! And you wouldn't bloody like that!" Tommy roared in a protective rage.

He heard shuffling from within the back of the pen before... A yellow sweater stained with blue came into sight.

Tommy nearly dropped his sword at the sight of his brother's ghost but instead favored staring wide eyed at the apparition.

"Oh hi Tommy! What are you doing here? I thought you were preparing the party at Logstedshire." Ghostbur said with a cheery wave.

Tommy groaned in frustration. Of course. Of course he had to remind him of the fucking party after he was doing so good for so long.

"That was nearly half a year ago, Ghostbur, I live here now."

The ghost looked genuinely surprised about that, "Half a year? I really must have gotten lost when Dream told me to find more guest."

Tommy's brows shot up in surprise, "What do you mean by that?"

"Oh Dream offered to take the invites to L'manburg and the Greater SMP for me since it was raining there and asked me to find more guests in the opposite direction! Wasn't that lovely of him!"

Tommy winced. So, the old Dream had pulled another trick. He really disliked the old Dream for pulling him and everyone else around on puppet strings.

A small tug at his feathers brought him back to reality. To his Dream.

"Uh, Toms, why do you have your wings out? Were you going flying?" Ghostbur asked with a confused tilt of his head.

Tommy gave a soft smile before saying with a nonchalant tone, "No... Just protecting your nephew."

"Oh well that's good! I'm so glad you... wait... WHAT?!"

Tommy put away his sword and let his wings fall to his sides, causing Dream to hide behind his legs. Now that was new for Dream, he never knew him to be shy but then again he's gotten to know the village pretty well. Ghostbur would be technically his first encounter with a stranger.

Tommy looked behind him and gave a small but patient smile. "It's okay Chickadee, he's not gonna hurt you."

He gave a few chirps of encouragement in avian before Dream gingerly peaked out from behind him at the ghost before going back to hide.

"Toms... you have a child..."

"Yep."

"Tommy what the actual fuck?!"

"HEY! I haven't cursed in months because he picks up everything, so if he starts now it's your fault!"

"Seriously, how on earth did you have a child?! You're a child!"

"I've grown up a lot! I do chores and shi- stuff!"

Eventually Dream let out a small giggle as he peeked out more from behind Tommy.

Ghostbur noticed and floated down, sitting cross legged, not wanting to scare the child.

Tommy gingerly took a step a side revealing the toddler who stared with curious eyes. Ghostbur immediately recognized the eyes and gasped.

Dream and his family, as a descendant of the Admins had special eyes that pertain to the lands they were to rule over. Dream's blue green eyes were unique even among other Admins. Those who had seen behind the mask would definitely recognize them the moment they saw them. Tommy and Wilbur were a few who had seen behind the mask during battles, so they were engraved into their minds.

And while Ghostbur didn't have the greatest memory, he could never forget those eyes even in death.

"D-Dream...?" Ghostbur whispered out in shock and confusion.

Dream, unable to read the situation, walked forward with cautious curiosity. He looked the ghost over noticing the blue stains on his sweater and hands.

He quickly turned to Tommy and said in full seriousness, "He got messy Dada. He needs bath time."

Tommy howled with laughter before saying, "Not his fault Little D. It's just how he is."

"...How is he a-"

"Child? No clue. Night before he was fine, complained of a stomach ache. Next morning, he's a baby with no diaper and a pair of power lungs." Tommy commented as he scooped up the toddler.

"Dada hungy! Bewwies and mewlon now!" Dream whined.

The blonde let out a sigh before going to grab his bag.

"Come on in Ghostbur. I'll explain more as I feed him some lunch."

"So he's your son now?" Ghostbur asked after the long conversation.

"Yep. Making him your nephew." Tommy added as he poured himself a glass of lemonade, while keeping an eye on the toddler who was currently playing with Kiwi and a few blocks.

The ghost perked slightly at the title, looking over to the child.

"You've been doing good at this Toms... I'm really proud of you."

Tommy let out a breath he hadn't known to be there before a single tear ran down his cheek. He let out a watery chuckle, "Prime, you're sappy."

Ghostbur let out a knowing smile before floating off his chair and over to Dream.

"Hello Dream!"

The toddler looked up to see Ghostbur floating next to him and his eyes went wide before he let out a roar of laughter.

"I have no idea what I did but apparently I'm hilarious Tommy!" The ghost shouted into the other room.

"He likes anything that flies." Tommy adds as he enters the living room sitting next to his son on the floor. "You should show him your wings, he'll go absolutely bananas."

Ghostbur, liking the sound of that idea unfurled his spectral wings of warm browns and whites tips with bits of blue splashed over them. Dream immediately began laughing and trying to grab at the intangible feathers.

The ghostly man let out a laugh of his own before he floated downwards to where he rested on the floor.

Tommy picked Dream up and rested him into his lap. "Dream this is your uncle, Wilbur Soot or Ghostbur."

Dream looked at Tommy then went back to Ghostbur.

"Gw- Ghwo- Bur... Bur-bur! Dada and Bur-bur!" The toddler happily exclaimed.

Ghostbur let out a joyous laugh as he gently ruffled Dream's hair, "Yes, I'm your Bur-Bur Dream."

The toddler quickly gathered his toys and began dragging them over to the ghost with a little wobble with his full arms.

"Bur-bur play! Please?" Dream asked, holding out the toys.

Ghostbur immediately agreed and began stacking the blocks up while Dream had Kiwi in his hands pretending to fly around the pretend towers.

Tommy smiled at the scene, wishing he still had his com to take a picture of the cute scene but alas old Dream had blown it up the first day of exile. But it didn't matter much anymore, he had an old camera he got not long after starting to live in the village but he didn't feel a rush to get it. Right now all that mattered to him was the happy smile on his son's face as he played with his uncle for the first time.

Phil honestly didn't know what to do with himself anymore.

He went away for a single week to check on Techno and when he came back his youngest son was exiled and no one would tell him where. More so, Tommy stopped replying to the coms completely.

Ghostbur had told him that he was doing okay out there but still it made the elder avian worry about his youngest's safety.

Then came the fucking house arrest because he wouldn't tell the people intending on killing his eldest son where he is. So he was confined to his home with a fucking tracking anklet and felt absolutely useless.

The day right before their 'Butcher Army' was aiming to head out, it was gloomy and pouring down buckets of rain. Phil was going to start writing a message to warn Techno with one of his crows when frantic knocking came from his front door.

'What else could they fucking want?' Phil thought with anger as he made his way to the door.

What he didn't expect was to see Tubbo, Sapnap, and George on his doorstep, absolutely soaked and looking devastated.

Phil knew to a degree Tubbo was responsible for many wrong doings to him and his family at the moment... but the haunted look in his eyes... He couldn't ignore it.

He quickly invited the three in and went to gather some towels which George and Tubbo used while the blaze hybrid just started evaporating the moisture from his skin and clothes.

Phil made his way over to his lounge chair picking up his tea cup as he sat down, "I assume you boys wouldn't be out in this weather banging on my door without good reason."

Tubbo gave a small nod although Phil didn't ignore how the teen trembled.

"It's about Tommy..." The lad whispered, his voice so very quiet and raw sounding.

"Yes, what about my son that you exiled?" Phil asked, his bitterness flowing into his tone.

He swore if this was to further punish Tommy he was going to burn this city down, made by Wilbur or not. This government can't stand if it keeps punishing a teen for-

"...We regret to inform you... That your son, Tommyinnit, is presumed dead..." George choked out.

The world froze in that very moment only to break by the sound of shattering glass of the tea cup he had dropped.

"...What...?" The avian whispered in quite disbelief.

Sapnap's brows furrowed in a mournful anger, "Along with him Dream is also presumed to be dead as well..."

Phil's ears were ringing as his heart raced trying his hardest to process what exactly he was just told.

"...Why? Why are they-"

"Dream hadn't been responding to his coms. He would do that at times but never longer than a month. We spent two months looking over the Dream SMP and L'manburg until we were able to check out Tommy's exile area." George stated trying his best to stay calm.

"There the camp was absolutely destroyed by creeper blasts and... A-and..." Tears dripped down from behind the goggles as the man let out a sob. "There was so much blood, old and dried... And it led to a pile for mutilated feather's and...And Dre- Dream's ma-"

George broke down sobbing into his hands letting out a heartbreaking wail.

"T-The feathers... were they..."

Tubbo gingerly reached into his pocket... and just like that Phil's heart shattered.

It was one of Tommy's beautiful sunset colored feathers but it was shredded with a dried murky brown coating it. Phil's shaky hands took the feather into his hands before raising it to his face. The scent... There was no doubting it...

"...No... Not again... I can't have lost another one..." Phil whispered, holding onto the feather for dear life. But the look of sheer grief in Tubbo's face all but confirmed it to him.

Phil let out a scream as he held the feather close. His sunshine, his little phoenix, his precious Tommy was gone just like Wilbur.

He was probably making a scene to everyone outside his home but he didn't care a bit. He lost another one of his children, one of his precious nestlings.

Phil felt the anklet on his ankle come loose but didn't dare look up as his tear flooded eyes was still focused on what they could find of his son.

"...I'm letting you go Phil... And I'm shutting down the butchers..." He heard Tubbo whisper. The teen knelt down in front of him handing over the compass to Techno's home. "...I have been pushed to do what people told me to do... and because of that... I've lost my best friend in the world and I couldn't even say I was fucking sorry for being a fucking idiot."

Tubbo let out a sob of his own before continuing, "But I promise you this Philza Minecraft... I won't let this happen again and if it does... You may take my last life as forfeit..."

The elder blonde finally let his gaze drift up and he saw Tubbo for the first time. He truly saw him. He was a child , a scared and all too scarred child who has the weight of the world on him.

Phil embraced the lad and almost immediately he broke out into hoarse sobs.

Phil's eyes drifted to the two others as he held the young president tight. Sapnap was soothing a still crying George all while molten tears dripped down his own cheeks.

That's right... He wasn't the only one who lost someone... Dream was gone as well... Two lives were snuffed out in this horrid event.

Tubbo gently pulled away from the embrace, fresh tears still dripping down his face.

"...We'll be planning a funeral for both of them... You and Technoblade are free to attend, but I'll understand if you don't..."

Phil gave a nod gathering himself from the floor. He slowly walked towards the front door turning to his guest.

"Stay as long as you need... I'll be back for the burial..."

Phil released his massive black wings before opening the door and taking off into the stormy skies letting the rain mask his tears.

He heard shouts and yells from down below but he didn't care, all he was focused on was flying... Flying to his last remaining son to tell him of the tragedy that has befallen their family once more.

Quackity was in outrage seeking Philza flying out of L'manburg. If only his fucking wings let him fly higher than ten feet he would be able to catch up to the traitor. He guess he would have to settle on who released him before they went to hunt for Techno the next day.

He was turning around to head back to the square when his com went off, as did all the coms of the people around him.

Probably announcing Phil's escape, he might as well give it a read.

He picked up the com and opened the message... And almost instantly his blood went still and his face grew pale.

Tubbo_: Attention citizens of L'manburg and the Greater SMP. Today I unfortunately must tell you that we have lost two of our own. Dream and Tommyinnit. It was discovered at the exile site that there was a massive creeper attack and possibly more mobs. Along with the amount of blood and destroyed items at the scene, it has been decided by members of both L'manburg and the Greater SMP the two are presumed dead. Today we have lost friends, family... A brother.

With that being said I have made a decision, one I should have put my foot down on. Philza Minecraft is free from house arrest and the Butcher Army is here by disbanded. I won't have anymore blood on this nation's hands. This week we mourn for the lives that were cruelly cut short. A funeral will be held and both Technoblade and Philza will be invited to attend.

With the following being said, in the April of next year I will be resigning as president of L'manburg and setting up a proper election for the next leaders. I realize I'm not suited for this... That I, despite everything I've gone through, am just a kid. A kid who has lost one of his most precious people in the world.

Signed,

President Tubbo_

Quackity didn't know when he had fallen to his knees. He doesn't remember when the tears began mixing with the rain. All he did was re-read the message over and over gripping tightly to the com.

Tommy was dead.

Tommy was dead.

They exiled him, let Dream restrict his visitation so no one had seen him in ages, and now he's dead.

The death of Dream should have been a celebration for all the bullshit he had put everyone through... but now it was at the cost of his youngest friend.

Tommy wouldn't see his 17th birthday.

Fuck Tommy was DEAD.

The duck hybrid felt ill at the thought. This whole thing made him feel sick.

"...Big Q... You're bleeding..."

Quackity looked up to see Fundy, his eyes red and tired, his fur a mangled mess, and he was completely soaking in the rain.

...Right Tommy was Fundy's uncle and Dream was... his fiancee for a while.

"Seriously... your hand looks really fucked up..." The fox shapeshifter mentioned again his voice hoarse and staining.

Quackity looked at his hands. The com's shattered plastic and glass was buried in his left hand dripping blood over the wooden pathways. He hadn't even noticed.

"Let's get you to Ponk..." Fundy stated helping the duck hybrid up and taking his non-injured hand to lead him.

The journey was quiet other than their footsteps, pouring rain, and the occasional rumble of thunder.

"...How are you so calm about this...?" Quackity asked softly.

Fundy gave a soft yet sad smile before looking towards the path, "Because... this isn't the first time I've lost like this... So I have to keep strong... like they did for me when Da- Wil died..."

Quackity was at a loss for words at that. How badly had this land fucked everyone up?

Before long they had reached Ponk's doctor's office and the man himself ushered them inside to dry off and for him to examine their wounds.

As Ponk examined him Quackity slowly drifted off to sleep, wondering when did everything go so wrong.

Technoblade was numb and once for his life the world rang silent.

When the message was sent over the coms he thought it was some kind of joke, something to lure him out of his retirement, so he ignored it.

...Until a broken Phil came knocking on his doorstep.

His father was a strong man despite all his flaws and mistakes. He knew it took a lot to make him break down like this.

The first time was when his mother died.

No one could have predicted it, it should have been fine for her to go to the village and back. She did it all the time and came back fine. But that day no one could have known the old oak had decided to give up the ghost. No one knew it had fallen until they heard the screams.

...No one knew that Techno had seen it happen. He had only recently turned seventeen and was still rather with medic knowledge. So he screamed out for help and kept his mother company... but by the time people had arrived it was too late.

He kept Tommy and Wilbur from seeing her like that. But Phil... His father was shattered at losing her...

The only things keeping him glued together were his kids and how they needed him.

It wasn't long after his mother's funeral pyre, Techno began to hear the whispers talking to him. They demanded blood, carnage, power... and an unprepared teen is terrified him.

When he told Phil he immediately knew what was going on. Just as Phil was chosen by Lady Death to be her angel, Techno had been chosen by the Blood God to be a vessel for his power. Phil knew that while adjusting to this power he would be dangerous, unpredictable, and deadly. So a plan was made.

Their father talked to him and his brothers about what was going to happen. Phil and Techno was going to go far out into the arctic to where Techno could learn to harness the power he was both cursed and gifted with safely. While they were there Wilbur and Tommy would go and stay with Schlatt and his son Tubbo.

At the time it seemed like the best option at the time and they had all agreed to it... But they didn't know it would be the last time they saw each other for eight years.

Techno and Phil worked long and hard in the cold environment, taming the beasts within his skull and after two years they had found how to control them through sheer willpower and several enchanted gold jewelry pieces with Calming III.

What they didn't expect was their family home to be in ashes and Jschlatt was alone drunk off his ass. Phil raged at the man demanding what happened and where his children were. What was said made Techno's voices roar in anger.

The good man that Phil had known long ago was gone in favor of his addiction to liquor. More so the man was an aggressive drunk and he was hardly sober. Apparently during the first year of the two avian children staying there the man had purposely neglected them and his own son, denied them food, and admitted to hitting Wilbur in the face.

Wilbur apparently had taken the majority of the abuse in favor of protecting the younger boys. Finally one night they left and in rage Schlatt burned down the Minecraft family home.

Phil's eyes were dark with rage and anger at the man. He spread his wings wide and spoke with power dripping from his lips as if his patron was flowing through him. "I give you a curse Johnathan Schlatt for what you've done to not only my children but to your own. Every sip of the vile liquid you drink shall drag burn you from the inside out and make you feel everything you have done to those you have hurt. And the moment you end someone's life and drink your poison your life will be forfeit."

To a man like Schlatt, that punishment was worse than death. But Techno did manage to bash the fucker's face in. He truly deserved it.

It was when they were alone Phil broke for the second time in Techno's life. He was horrified what they went through and so scared for where they were now. The piglin hybrid made a promise to him that they would find them.

After they left the two searched the ends of the worlds looking for where they could have been. They heard plenty of rumors of avian hybrids in Hypixel, SMP Earth, and the dreaded 2b2t... They also heard rumors of hybrid hunters on the prowl looking to harvest the rare items from their genetics.

Technoblade took great pleasure in slaughtering those monsters when he or Phil came across them.

Incidentally that's how he had originally met Dream... Well technically he had met George first after saving him. Poor guy had already been clipped but he was still breathing. Techno managed to bandage him up as this man with a bright green hoodie and mask came running in with an axe in hand. But the man noticed his own pale pink wings and piglin features and the bandages wrapping around his friend.

The man introduced himself as Dream and thanked him for saving his best friend. Techno introduced himself, much to his surprise the man knew who he was from the tournaments he had participated in to soothe the voices and possibly gain information. They exchanged contact information before Techno reunited with Phil.

Over the years Techno became a legend taking on fights for glory, for power, for blood. And although he tended to get side tracked fairly often he still had the goal of reuniting with his long lost brothers.

Eventually one of the most influential and powerful beings in the worlds had held a tournament of the best fighters called The Tournament of Wishes. The winner would claim the title of the unbeatable warrior and gain one wish. It could be for money, for power, for anything imaginable... And Techno was dead set on finding his family.

Both he and Phil had entered slaying though the rounds and rounds of fighters until their final matches. Techno had defeated his semi-final match with ease but much to his surprise Phil had not. No, he was defeated by his now old friend and now rival, Dream.

It was down to one final fight to determine if he would gain the wish or if he would lose the last remaining thread to his family. He wasn't going to lose.

The fight was long and grueling both giving it their all. At some point Techno had sliced Dream's mask off getting a good look at his glowing blue green eyes. In turn the now unmasked man had sliced his braid off. They were both growing tired and there was only one way this was going to end. Techno let the voices flood him as he had one final berserker attack giving him the win.

Dream gave him a friendly yet sad smile as Techno helped the man up. "Congrats Techno, you truly deserved this."

Techno nodded before turning to the man sitting at the throne who was clapping at their performance.

"Congratulations indeed Technoblade. You have won where all else has failed. You are truly Technoblade the Undying the Champion of the Tournament of Wishes. Now tell me what it is that you wish for."

Techno held his head up high spreading his wings proudly as he stared up at the man glowing with pink and blue energy.

"My wish is to know where my long lost brothers are so that we can finally reunite after all these years."

Mr. Beast smiled, letting the energy in his hands mold into a physical form. "A truly selfless wish. I don't encounter those often."

A map and compass appeared in his hands as he floated down to the piglin hybrid. He handed it over and said, "This is a map of SMP Earth, you'll find them in Newfoundland and Business Bay."

Techno wanted to fall to his knees in relief but he held strong. After saying his goodbyes he grabbed Phil and the two were in SMP Earth in hours.

And after many years apart Techno saw his brothers again. Wilbur was tall and lanky wearing a bright yellow sweater that complimented his warm brown wings. As for Tommy, Prime barely recognized him. Last time he had saw him he was a seven year old his wings were barely big enough to fly with, now he had grown tall his bright wings spread out wide and cocky.

The reunion was bittersweet but still he had them back... And then things went to absolute shit as soon as they arrived in the SMP.

Now here Techno was, sitting with Phil at his kitchen table taking in the news he thought to be fake earlier that day. The news he had completely ignored and went about his day.

Tommy was dead.

He had lost another brother.

Along with that Dream was dead as well and although the man had begun to lose it as of late he still mourned the loss of a friend.

His world so full of loud noise and voices was silent as he finally began to let himself breakdown.

He held onto his father and let himself cry with anguish and regret. He told Tommy to die the last time he saw him. He died thinking he hated him and no matter what he did he couldn't make up for that.

After a while when he finally was done pouring his grief out he slowly crept up to his bedroom and grabbed his com. If they were going to do a funeral for Tommy they might as well do it right.

Technoblade whispers to Tubbo_: Avian funerals are done as a funeral pyre. You place the body in a boat surrounded by feathers (their own and their loved ones), flowers (matching their feathers) and their prized possessions. If there is no body then a surrogate is made from either straw or wool. Each funeral attendee drops something of significance to their relationship to them into the boat to be burned with them. The patriarch of the family covers the body with a blanket before it's set onto the water and set on fire. The boat is set ablaze to honor them and let their souls become one with the air. The ones to set it a flame are the closest to them, usually family or close friends. Piglin funerals are similar but they are burned with gold and things they treasure and hoard above all. Wilbur wasn't given a pyre but please let Tommy have this.

Tubbo_ whispers to Technoblade: Thank you. I'll make the preparations and have everything gathered for the ceremony. I... I wish we could have started talking again on better terms...

Technoblade whispers to Tubbo_: As do I kid... As do I.

Techno set down the com and laid down onto his bed, falling into a restless sleep.

Everyone had shown up. Despite factions, despite alliances and rules... Everyone had shown up to honor the fallen.

Tommy's pyre boat was set up near the waters of L'manburg ready for its departure. On the other hand Dream's casket was resting on where the Prime Path and L'manburg met, after discussion with George and Puffy they decided that Dream was going to be buried at the Spawn area where he first started building this land.

As people entered they would first stop by Dream's empty coffin, save for what remained of his shattered mask, and lay flowers inside, a few that were close to him offered a few items of importance. A few photos, a trident, a few books, and a single ring was already resting in the coffin with hundreds of flowers.

They would head to Tommy's boat next seeing what remained of once beautiful sunset colored feathers mixed with cleaner feathers of black and pink with flowers of the same reds, oranges and yellows mixed in. People would come by and leave their items, some having a hard time looking at the straw effigy. Inside were many disks of varying kinds, some golden apples, photos, baked goods, and a single Allium resting on the chest of the straw dummy.

People cried and laughed as stories of the two were told and remembered. They talked of things they missed about the two and what they would miss.

Then there were those who had kept to themselves for the majority of the funeral.

Puffy was solemn looking at Dream's casket trying to hold herself together, trying not to break down sobbing again because her sweet duckling was gone. She knew something was wrong with him and she had been trying her hardest to help get him back to how he was... But now it was too late.

Sapnap was acting as George's strength as the funeral moved forwards. The man was barely keeping it together and if it wasn't for the blaze hybrid holding his hand he would have begun crying again even if he had no more tears to cry. George, Sapnap, and Dream left on awful terms, a fight between them about something idiotic and George had to open his dumb mouth. "I don't want to see you." That was the last thing he said to Dream and he can never take it back.

On the other hand George was Sapnap's willpower during the events. It was his grip that kept the blaze hybrid from lighting the entire area aflame. He was angry at the world that took his friends away. Sure, Tommy was a brat and Dream could be an asshole but it didn't mean he wanted them to die. They had so much ahead for them... and now they would never see it.

Techno stood next to his brother's pyre boat, his wings in view, dressed in black with a single sunset feather braided into his hair. The man only had two bows and a quiver of arrows on him as he stood quietly, his eyes occasionally drifting to his father who stood beside him. He was quiet and softly answered any condolences offered to him and his family. Not that it could do much, well wishes wouldn't bring Tommy or Wilbur back.

A black veil covered Philza's head as people passed by and not uttering a word. He had lost two children to this land... What was there to say? He stood silent, his black wings curled around him trying to offer himself some comfort that didn't exist. If Techno wasn't here he wouldn't have been this calm, he would have been screaming and crying for his Mistress to return them to him... But he knew she wouldn't answer. It was her job to take life away, not give it. So Phil mourned in silence.

On the other side of the pyre boat was Tubbo holding his item for the pyre for last. The disk felt strangely heavy in his hands as he hadn't touched it since Tommy had given it to him. Mellohi was one of Tommy's more treasured things in this world, it was only fair it went with him. Tubbo slowly walked towards the pyre, eyes trained on him as he gingerly placed the disk at the foot of the pyre with his compass that now only spun in circles. And with it done Tubbo fell to his knees letting out sobs of grief.

Phil took out a white cloth and gently laid it over the pyre.

"Rest now my little phoenix. Rest and join the sky as our ancestors have." Phil whispered as he gently pushed the boat out into the water.

Techno helped Tubbo stand once more and handed him a bow. The sheep hybrid took it into his shaking hands. Phil and Techno pulled out their own and the three aimed, their arrows lit with flame. With one single breath the arrows flew and hit its mark. Soon the small boat was aflame with light and smoke.

All the while Dream's friends had taken up as the pole bearers and begun walking the casket down the Prime Path and towards the spawn. There under a beautiful old oak tree was where he was to be buried. Puffy watched as the coffin was lowered and let the tears flow once more. George buried his head into Sapnap's chest finally letting his own sobs lose, all while the ebony haired man held tight and let a few molten tears of his own.

Snow gently began to fall as the lands of the Dream SMP mourned the lost of the man who gave this land life and a boy who helped give it shape.

Chapter Text

"Bur-Bur!" Dream cheered as he ran through the yard. Said ghost smiled as he led the blue sheep on a leed towards them.

"Hello my dear nephew! Just taking Friend out for a walk."

"Fwend goes 'baah' yeah?"

Ghostbur chuckled at the toddler's antics before replying, "Yes Friend does say 'baah'. It'd be rather funny if he said words huh?"

Dream giggled with a nod. He's learning very quickly which while good made Ghostbur miss the fact he never really got to experience this with his own son... He wonders how Fundy is? Does he miss him?

Ghostbur quickly grabs some Blue, letting it fill up with his sorrows while the small child looked inquisitive as the crystal turned blue and slushy.

"Wat dat?"

Ghostbur smiled before letting the toddler see in his hand. "It's called Blue! It takes away all your sadness! Would you like some?"

"Looks icky. Dada makes me takes bath if I icky." Dream reasoned.

Ah to be a child again when the simplest of problems was avoiding bath time.

"FUCK!"

...And hopefully not picking up words from his father's foul mouth.

"Bur-Bur what does f-"

"No Dream it's a naughty word. Your Dad shouldn't have said it... but it makes me curious about what happened."

The ghost carefully guided the toddler and sheep to behind the house where Tommy had been working on the garden.

"Toms? You alright?" Ghostbur called out.

"Yeah... Just dropped the hammer on my foot." The blonde replied with a hiss as he sat next to the fence post he was fixing.

Dream made a dash over to the blonde before looking him over and kissing his pant leg.

Tommy let out a laugh, "Little D what are you doing?"

"Dada got boo-boo! I make better like you do!" The boy said with a smile.

"My little hero to my rescue then!" Tommy stated with a grin as he picked his son up.

"Also Bur-Bur said you said bad word. Why is fu-"

"YEP! That's a bad word and I'm sorry! It's not mean for little ones to say baby bird." The avian stated trying to prevent the child from saying the swear.

"Oh yes Tommy, I was going to see if we were still going down to Port Westwen today for supplies on Dream's birthday on Saturday."

Tommy looked down at his son with pride. He was turning three in a few days even though it seemed only like yesterday he had taken in the baby as his own.

Dream had grown so much he couldn't help but be proud of his little nestling.

"Yeah we can go. Remind me, Little D, what kind of birthday did you want?" Tommy asked, already knowing the answer.

"Birdies! A birdy party with Kiwi!" The toddler exclaimed holding up the mentioned plushie.

Tommy honestly thought Dream would grow out of his fascination with birds like most children who would flicker from one thing to another. But birds absolutely were Dream's favorite. He suspected it's because of Tommy and Ghostbur's wings and chirping he grew fascinated with it.

If his son wanted a bird birthday, he's getting a bird birthday.

"Guess we better get to shopping then huh?" Tommy stated putting Dream on his shoulders.

"Let's go then!" Ghostbur stated with a cheer.

Luckily the people of Port Westwen were extremely accepting of Ghostbur especially after finding out he was part of Tommy's family that had been separated. They treated him kindly and in turn he tried his hardest to make the villagers smile.

Last festival Ghostbur had even managed to get a hold of a guitar and play a few tunes for the children which had been a huge hit. It also had the effect of making Tommy miss his old violin so he had one ordered to arrive in a few months. Maybe at the next festival he would play alongside his brother once more.

Tommy shook the thoughts from his head and focused on the task ahead. He needed to get the ingredients for a cake, a rabbit for the stew, pick up the present he had ordered a few months ago, and make sure his son and brother stays out of trouble.

"Dada can we get candy pwease?"

"Oh can we Tommy? I would quite like some chocolate... even if I can't really eat it."

'I swear I'm fucking raising two kids instead of one.' Tommy thought as they walked down the path.

"We'll be docking soon."

Phil slowly raised his head up from his mattress to look towards the cabin door.

After the funeral the two remaining members of the Minecraft family decided to do some traveling, get away from the mainland and heal from their losses. Now over a year later they were sailing farther out than they had ever explored this land.

He looked at his remaining son as he stood in the door of his room. He wasn't dressed in his normal royal regalia but a simple cotton tunic with black trousers and his enchanted jewelry and crown. His long pink hair was tied back in a braid that he had pinned into a bun and his skeletal boar mask was left in his room showing his face that bore a strong resemblance to his twin.

Phil on the other hand was wearing a plain light blue yukata instead of his normal green, but if not more elaborate one. His hair had gotten so long to the point he had begun tying it back in a small ponytail. His blonde hair now had bits of grey streaks. Was it his age or what is the stress of it all? He never really tried to figure it out. Finally a matching bucket hat rested on his head with two feathers sewn into the rim.

After losing Tommy the two tried to find something to give them some sort of joy or happiness. So they tried adventuring again but it never did much for them. So they just continued to travel. By foot, by horseback, through the nether, with their wings, and now on boat.

At some point he tried to rationalize this as searching for Ghostbur or maybe a way to resurrect both boys. But he knew that wasn't it. Techno knew it wasn't it.

They were running from it all, as simple as that.

Phil got off his bed and followed Techno up the steps to the deck of the boat. There in front of them was a small fishing town by the looks of it. A rather prosperous one due to the mountain range it was nestled in which more protected it from raiders. The town looked lively from their boat vantage point.

"So where are we mate?" Phil asked with a tired yawn.

Techno pulled out a map and laid it on the table they had nailed to the ship deck. "Looks like one Port Westwen."

 "Thanks for your business! And do tell the little sweet pea happy birthday!" Ms. Amelia stated handing the ghost a bag of baked goods.

"Oh yes! He always adores your cookies! Thank you again!" Ghostbur stated with a wide smile as he floated out the shop door.

He was so happy with how the town treated him with such kindness. Even with him being dead and not having the best memory they treated him like any other person and he loved them for that.

"We've almost all the items on Tommy's list, Friend! All we need to do now is grab our gift from the tailor and we'll be ready for Dream's birthday tomorrow."

The sheep looked up before continuing to munch on the grass in front of it.

"Alright, you can have your lunch while I go grab it." He stated as he tied the leed to the poll. "I'll be right back!"

Ghostbur cheerfully floated down the street offering friendly waves and 'hellos' as he passed until he was right next to the docks where the tailors were.

He happily opened the door to the tailors and was immediately greeted, "Hello there Ghostbur! Here to pick up Dream's little gift?"

He nodded, pulling emeralds out his money pouch. "We agreed on five yes Ms. Maddie?"

The spider hybrid gave a nod as she used one of her multiple arms to sow while the others were grabbing his money and getting the garment he had commissioned.

"I admit this is one of my favorite pieces I've worked on." Ms. Maddie stated as she handed the cloth to the ghost.

Ghostbur unfolded with and let out a gleeful squeak. It was a green hoodie with little white birds sewn throughout the fabric and the hood had a little bird beak and two little buttons as eyes. He had intentionally got it a little bigger than Dream so he'd be able to wear it for a bit longer. He truly hoped the toddler would like it.

"Can't wait to see the little guy running around in it. Give him a good birthday party alright?"

"Will do ma'am!" Ghostbur stated with a salute making the woman laugh.

Ghostbur quickly slid the hoodie into his shopping bags before leaving the shop and heading back to Friend. Much to his surprise there were two people looking at the sheep, he didn't recognize them but they seemed familiar... Perhaps sailors that had come through?

It didn't matter! He might as well greet them.

"Hello! Sorry if Friend is in your way, I can move him if you wan-"

"...W-Wil?"

Ghostbur froze for a moment as the figures turned around.

"Dad? Tech? What are you doing here?" He asked in genuine confusion. Weren't they living in the north of the Greater SMP lands?

"We... We've been travelin' around..." Techno still appearing to be shocked by his brother's ghost popping up out of nowhere after almost two years.

"What about you Wi-... Ghostbur? Why are you here?" Phil asked, a bit shaken.

"Oh! Well I live here! Well not here in the village but a house about four or five miles from here. It's quite lovely!" The ghost rambled. "Say are you staying for a few days?"

"Uh, yeah we're getting supplies and repairing the ship." Techno mentioned awkwardly trying to get some help from his father to no avail.

"Then you can stay with us! Oh you're going to absolutely adore the house and we're having a party tomorrow it's going to be a grand time!" Ghostbur added with a cheer as he untied Friend.

Phil looked his son's ghost over before asking, "Who is us Wil?"

And what he said next shook their world once more.

"Tommy and his son. Oh you two are going to love their home!"

Tommy.

It couldn't be... Could it?

"Ghostbur, where is this house?" Techno being the first to react.

The ghost blinked for a moment before pointing to the edge of town where an old path was resting. "Just up that way, the only house up there really! I'm sure you- HEY! Where are you two going?!"

The two ignored the ghost for the moment instead making a b-line for the old path.

They had to know... No, they needed to know if what the ghost had told them was true.

Was Tommy really alive? Was he here the entire time? And what was this about having a son?!

The two ran forward, not daring to look back.

"Dada swing?" Dream asked as they were sitting on the couch. Today's chores had been done and Ghostbur had offered to pick up some last minute supplies along with his own gift for the party tomorrow. So Tommy had decided to sit down with Dream and read him a few stories but clearly the toddler had other ideas.

"Hmmm... I don't know. What's in it for me?" Tommy asked jokingly, a small smirk decorating his lips.

Dream thought for a moment, his freckled cheeks puffing up, his brow furrowed in thought. It was truly an adorable sight.

"Oh! I give hugs and smooches and pick a pwety flower for ya!" Dream declared proudly.

The blonde gave a small laugh before picking the toddler up, "That sounds like a great deal Chickadee. Let's go have a nice swing."

He placed a tender kiss onto his son's forehead before heading out the door. Primes above he loved this kid. He knew he wasn't perfect and sometimes it was hard to look at his son and remember he once was his tormentor, but he's been healing. They've been healing. And despite the bad and the good, he loved Dream as his own child.

Tommy sat down on the swing with Dream in his lap. The little boy wasn't big enough to swing on his own so either Tommy or Ghostbur would sit down with him on their laps and let them do small swings for the child. Dream didn't mind though, he was just happy to swing up and down pretending he was flying.

Tommy soon began swinging back and forth until they gain a little bit of momentum to feel the nice summer breeze in their faces. Dream let out loud bouts of laughter as they swung up and down making the blonde smile at the child's antics.

The sound of the toddler's laughter matched well with the soft songs of the birds, the calm breeze flowing through the trees, the buzz of the bees out pollinating the flowers... the thick thumps of footsteps in the distance?

The avian froze listening to the sound. Boots clomping down the path in a hurry. Multiple people from the sound of it.

That wasn't Ghostbur and Friend.

Tommy moved into action, jumping off the swing, and quickly making his way into the house with Dream in hand. He quickly sat the toddler down before he grabbed his sword and armor out as fast as he could from his ender chest.

"Dada...?"

He turned to his toddler son who looked absolutely terrified and confused. He had never seen Tommy in his armor let alone this serious. Even when he dealt with occasional mob attacks he wasn't like this.

He knelt down to Dream with a soft look and motioned him forward. The toddler slowly walked towards him and Tommy rested a hand on the little shoulder, "There are some people coming here and I don't know if they're good or bad. I want you to stay inside and hide while I deal with them. Okay Dream?"

Dream's eyes watered in confusion of what was happening but he nodded.

Tommy pressed a kiss onto Dream's head before giving him a comforting hug. "I love you my little nestling. I promise I'll keep you safe."

Phil's bones ached as he ran. He could have flown up the hill faster but he wasn't thinking about that.

No, his mind was solely focused on what Ghostbur had said.

Tommy and his son. He lives with them in a house up this path. Tommy was alive.

He was alive.

Phil wouldn't believe any of it until he saw it with his own two eyes. So he ran as fast as he could, his eldest son not far behind him.

Finally he and Techno had reached the hill top and stared at the home that laid before him. It was a cozy looking home made from oak and cobble with a nice meadow around it filled with life. He could see a small area for animals and a garden that took up the backyard from what he could see of it. In the front yard was a large lone oak tree with a single swing on it that moved with the wind.

Immediately the older man was hit with nostalgia of their old family home. It wasn't a mirror image but it had the same feel to it. It felt safe.

Techno took a step forward on the path before an arrow whizzed by missing him by an inch. The two looked to the house cautiously before seeing what had fired at them. There on the balcony of the house was a man in full netherite aiming a crossbow at them, the helmet obscuring their face.

"Not a fucking step closer! Who the fuck are you people and why are you here?!"

The voice was deeper but he knew it all too well...

...It was him...

"T-Theodore..."

The man- Tommy looked startled for a moment before retaking aim at them and loading another arrow. "How the hell do you know that name?! ANSWER!" He declared with an angered roar.

Phil stepped forward and let his wings unfurl to their full lenght and removed his hat.

The crossbow fell to the ground as the armored figure- his son dropped it in shock.

"The reason I know it... is because I gave it to you. But you never liked it so Wilbur started calling you..."

"...Tommy..." Techno cut in, letting his own wings come out of hiding to prove it was really them.

With swift movement Tommy pulled off his helmet and let his wings loose as he glided down in front of them, staring at them in sheer shock.

He looked older. The lanky skinny kid that had left to exile had not only grown taller but had filled out much like his brothers. The blond's hair was longer and tied back into a small ponytail and a small patch of facial hair decorated his chin. His wings were larger with the sunset feather looking clean and healthy and used often. His bags under his eyes were nearly gone, his skin looked far healthier and a bit sun kissed, and he doesn't look like he's carrying the weight of the world anymore.

Phil wasted no time in embracing his son. "We thought we lost you Toms... I'm so glad you're alive..." He muttered with a sob.

Tommy held his father close, unsure what to say to that. He was just glad he was here.

"Missed you Dad." He said adding a few chirps of avian while tears dripped down his cheeks as well. His father chirped right back, cooing and comforting each other.

"Uhhh... Hey..."

Tommy looked over to his brother with slightly conflicted eyes.

"The-... Tommy... I'm not the best at talking to people but... I didn't mean what I said last time... I'm... I'm sorry for what I said to ya..." Techno stated softly.

The blonde, after being released from his father's hug, walked over to the pinked haired man. "Never thought I'd see you apologize to Tech... I need to say I'm sorry too. I didn't think of you as a weapon, I just wanted to have a home again and with what happened on the sixteenth and shit... It was all fucked up."

Techno taking advantage of the moment gripped his brother into a hug of his own. Tommy was utterly surprised because hugs initiated by his eldest brother was rarer than finding a seven vein of diamonds. The younger brother buried himself into the hug knowing it was one of mutual forgiveness.

"Finally I caught up with you two. Oh hello Tommy! I see you already found Dad and Techno." Ghostbur proclaimed as he floated up with the shopping and Friend.

"Somehow I'm not surprised you were involved with this Ghostbur." Tommy stated as he and the piglin hybrid separated from the hug.

He turned to the two newcomers with a brow raised, "Now what's this about people thinking I'm dead? Where the fuck did that idea come fro-"

"...Dada..." A voice whimpered out.

Tommy froze and turned around looking to see a toddler who was standing at the front door, crying. His little hand had blood on it...

He quickly rushed to the front door completely ignoring the others. At the moment he could only see his baby was hurt and needed him.

He knelt down and examined the hand, a large gash was on the back of his hand. "What happened Chickadee?" He asked softly, not wanting to scare him.

Dream let out a sob before whispering, "Got scared... Wanted Kiwi and hide under table... Cup went uh oh and I got boo-boo... It hurts Dada..."

Tommy gently held up Dream before whispering to him, "It's okay baby, you were so brave. Let's get you fixed up and then I can introduce you to some very special people, alright?"

"Otay..." Dream whispered, still crying.

Phil and Techno were extremely confused at the scene but quickly understood Ghostbur's previous words better. This was Tommy's son and Tommy was being a good dad. Honestly Phil couldn't be prouder.

Tommy turned towards the house before shouting out, "Ghostbur can you show them in? I'm getting Chickadee patched up."

"...And Kiwi..."

"What happened to Kiwi?"

"Cup when uh oh on him too. He got boo-boos too."

"...And see if you can find the sewing kit while you're at it?"

Ghostbur gave a mock salute, "Yes sir!"

Tommy gave a nod and walked inside and the three followed behind if not a bit slower as to process what the fuck just happened.

"I am having a hard time believing that Tommy built this place." Techno stated as he examined the interior. It was very open and homely with big windows that let the sun come in. It has an air of comfort with the spruce floors and comfortable looking couches and chairs. There were a few toys scattered here and there but otherwise it was clean.

"How so?" Ghostbur asked from the kitchen where he was sweeping up the broken glass and 'saved' Kiwi, which turned out to be a plushie green parrot. Phil had already taken out the sewing kit and was patching the plush.

Techno crossed his arms as he leaned back into the couch, "There's barely any cobble and there's no dirt at all. This isn't Tommy's style."

"It isn't, but when I built it I was more focused on my year old baby at the time from breaking his face on stone floors or getting sick from eating dirt. Don't say he wouldn't have, babies and toddlers can and will stick anything in their mouths."

Techno turned his head to see Tommy walking in with the brown haired toddler fast asleep in his arms and a bandage on his hand. He sat down in one of the lounge chairs positioning the little boy to a more comfortable position.

Phil looked at the child worriedly, "Did he pass out?"

"Nah, potion healed up most of it, just had to bandage it and it was getting close to his nap time so he just knonked out as I was finishing up." Tommy stated with a small smile.

The younger blonde quickly noticed what his father was doing and gave a sigh of relief, "Thanks Dad, Chickadee here won't go to bed without Kiwi."

"No problem son, it's not my first time patching toys and probably won't be my last."

Tommy nodded before his face turned a bit more solemn, "Now about why did you guys think I was dead?"

"Dead? Why on earth did you think Tommy was dead? Was there some sort of Ghostinnit imposter about?" Ghostbur asked in confusion.

Techno shook his head before explaining what happened that day in December at Logstedshire. The explosions, the blood, the feathers, the mask. How it pointed to Tommy and Dream being dead, how they held funerals for them and mourned for them.

Tommy was a bit shaken at the thoughts of people thinking he was dead. He thought no one cared for the longest time until he had begun to understand what the Old Dream had been doing to him. Manipulation was not easy to see especially by the person being manipulated but after nearly two years away from it all and self reflection he saw through nearly all of the old puppet master's lies.

"...So they thought I was dead because of the feathers and the amount of blood... Where exactly was the blood?" Tommy asked.

"By this oak tree about twenty paces from the campfire." Techno added, "It smelled like human blood."

Tommy let out a soft chuckle, "Part of it was, like a tenth from a snake bite, don't worry it was non-venomous. The rest was from a deer Dream had brought for dinner but hadn't fully cleaned it out."

"And the feathers?"

"I had preened them the day before I left. I was kind of depressed and self hygiene was not my strong suit during that time."

Phil shook his head in disbelief, "Well we're glad you're alive mate. But that still leaves the question of where Dream is and why you left at all?"

This was the thing he was sort of dreading to answer. Tommy built up his courage and took a deep breath. He could do this.

"Before I tell you, I need you to stay quiet until I'm done or else I don't think I'll be able to do this again. This is some really traumatic sh- stuff for me."

The two men grew serious before returning a nod to him.

For the first time, Tommy spoke up about what was really happening in exile about how the Old Dream would treat him, how he manipulated him and all those around him. He told them of the good days, of the bad days, of the days where he was losing his mind. Tommy explained how he thought Old Dream was his friend but his years away helped him understand the man was using him.

Then came the more... harder to explain issue, because to this day he has no clue how this happened.

He told them about the day beforehand on how he was weaving, how Dream brought a stag in and they made stew, how he got bit by the snake before dinner. He then told them Dream had stated the night complaining of a stomach ache... And when he woke up that Dream was a baby.

The two stated at the child laying at his side in complete shock as he continued. He told him of his original plan, flee and find Dream a home before finding one for himself and how that plan went to the wayside when he got attached and Dream got attached right back at him. Tommy then told them of when he arrived and the story he went with and how they've been living peacefully ever since.

"Toms... how are you even sure that's Dream? He could have pulled one over on you." Phil stated still processing what his youngest had informed him of.

"I thought that too... But the eyes were the biggest clue." Tommy stated. "Tech you've seen Dream's eyes before right?"

Techno nodded, "Back at the Tournament of Wishes... Sliced the masked right in half."

Tommy gingerly began to shake the toddler's shoulder.

"Little D, time to wake up." He encouraged as Dream fussed a bit before opening his sleepy eyes.

Techno's eyes widened and his mouth was agape with sheer shock. Phil looking at Techno's reaction realized what Tommy had said was true. This toddler that his son had adopted was formerly his son's abuser... This was beyond wild.

"Just to let you know now, he remembers nothing of his past so right now he's an innocent little kid and if you try to take vengeance on him for my sake you will be dealing with me." Tommy stated with a protective caw.

"Wasn't planned on it mate." Phil stated. "Just a bit shocked ya know?"

Dream blinked away the sleep from his eyes a few times before looking to his father.

"Dada who dey?" He asked with a yawn.

Tommy let out a smile before petting the toddler on the head, "Well Dream, those two are family."

"Like Bur-Bur?"

Phil snickered at the nickname as said ghost cheerily flew in with a few mugs of coffee and a small snack plate for Dream that he sat it on the coffee table.

"Yep! We're a part of the same family." Ghostbur stated booping the toddler's nose making him giggle.

"Over there with the pink hair and pig ears is your Uncle Technoblade." Tommy stated as the blue green eyes stared at the man.

"Twech-nob-wade? T-Techie! Unkie Techie!" The toddler cheered after trying his hardest to say the full name.

Techno was a bit gobsmacked looking at the toddler who used to be his rival now calling him, 'Unkie Techie'... What even is his life anymore?

Tommy then motioned over to Phil. "Now this is this your Grandpa Philza or Phil. He's my dad along with Techie and Bur-Bur's dad."

Dream stared at the man with wide eyes before hopping out of his father's lap and running across the living room and crawling into Phil's lap with a bit of assistance from Phil.

"My Gwandpa. No share." He stated while hugging onto Phil trying to make what he deemed a serious face.

The room burst out into uproarious laughter as the toddler still held onto the older man.

"It appears I have been claimed." Phil added wiping a tear of joy from his eyes after the laughing fit.

"I knew ye well Father." Techno stated with a chuckle. "I will leave you with the child whom hath claimed thee."

Tommy stood up with a stretch, "I better get started on dinner. Ghostbur can show you to the guest rooms and I'm sure Chickadee will drag you to his room. Feel free to use the bath or shower if you feel like it."

Dream looked to his father before getting off Phil's lap and hugging his leg. Tommy smiled before loving rubbing his head. "Go have some fun with grandpa and your uncles. You can tell them what's happening tomorrow."

Dream nodded excitedly letting Tommy head to the kitchen and leaving the two men and a ghost to deal with am excited almost three year old.

Techno unsure what to do with said toddler decided to ask, "So eh... what's tomorrow?"

He tried to ignore his father and ghostly brother's snickers and focus on the little boy who gave a big grin.

"Tomorrow is birthday! Birdy party!" Dream said as he began looking around. Soon enough the toddler's eyes began to water a bit before he turned to the ghost, "...Bur-Bur where Kiwi?"

Phil, thankfully, came to the rescue holding up the plush, "Sorry about that Dream, Kiwi needed to have his ouchies taken care of too. But he's all better now."

Dream happily accepted the plush and squeezed it hard, happy to have his friend back.

"So how old are you going to be tomorrow?" Phil asked, trying to keep the child's attention.

The toddler thought for a moment before holding up two fingers. Ghostbur gave a small laugh, "Add one more dear nephew."

Dream looked at his two fingers before raising a third and showing them his hand, "I gonna be dis many!"

Phil held back his giggles while Techno let out a roar of laughter. Phil wiped away a tear of amusement before replying, "Three!  That's a big number isn't it Techno?"

The piglin hybrid gave a nod. He really had no clue what to do here since his last toddler experience was Tommy and that was fourteen years ago so he was going by ear and trusting Phil.

"Real big."

"Ya! And birdy party!" Dream beamed with little hops.

Techno looked at Ghostbur with confusion written on his face while the ghost gave a friendly chuckle, "Dream here loves birds so when Tommy asked him what kind of birthday he wanted he kept saying a birdy party. So a little party with a bird theme."

Phil gave a chuckle and picked up the bouncing toddler, "So is Kiwi your only birdie you have?"

"Dada and Bur-Bur have birdie wings! But I gots Polly and Cookie and Bug!" Dream stated with a smile. "Wanna see?"

"Lead the way munchkin." Techno stated with a smirk.

Dream wiggled out of Phil's arms and led them to the stairs. Ghostbur quickly scooped up the toddler before he had tried to navigate them, making him giggle as the two others followed.

"Door at the end of the hall is the guest room. The hall to the left is where Dream and Tommy's room's are. Dream is on the left, Tommy the right. I stay in the attic."

"I HEARD THAT GHOSTBUR! FOR THE LAST TIME I DIDN'T BUILD AN ATTIC!" Tommy called from down stairs.

Dream, who had now escaped Ghostbur's grip as they were now on the second floor, giggled and ran for the door with a small parakeet painted on the door.

Phil gently opened the door and the toddler ran in with a giggle running to his little toy box.

"Well I have to say I'm mildly impressed." Techno said as he looked over the walls painted like the sky.

"Got'em!" Dream called out pulling out the toys of the chest. He sat out three toy birds each a different color and varying in size.

"Polly!" Dream stated pointing to the one that was a dead ringer for a pirate's parrot. It was a little pull toy with wheels at its feet.

"Cookie!" He pointed to a rubber bath duck that was a pale brown with little brown marks that indeed made it look like a cookie.

"And Bug!" He cheered as he directed to the last toy. It was a large yellow generic bird plush that was taller than as Dream was.

"I've got to ask, why Bug?" Techno asked, examining the yellow plush from a distance.

"Bur-Bur got me him for Cwistmas. I hugged him lots and Bur-Bur said I was a snuggle bug! So he's my Bug!" Dream said as he took a seat in the plushies lap and rested against it.

Phil couldn't take it anymore and pulled out his com and pulled up the photo feature.

"Dream smile!" He called.

The toddler did as he was told (although he didn't know why) as Phil took a picture.

"Dada! UP!"

Tommy gave a gefauh as he felt the small terror that is his son bouncing on him as he slowly woke up.

"Dada it birthday! Birdy party!" Dream stated as he continued to bounce.

Tommy sat up, gently grabbing his toddler son to still him as he yawned. "I know baby boy. I know you're excited but its only..." He looked to the wall clock and groaned out, "...Five in the morning..."

"But birthday!" Dream stated with a pout.

The older avian carefully cradled the child and gave a few chirps before saying, "I know you're excited Little D. I'm excited too, it's not everyday I get to see my special guy turn three. But no one else but Ghostbur is up right now we have to have it when everyone is awake and ready."

Dream huffed a bit before leaning to his father's embrace, "Otay Dada..."

Tommy smiled, "Well since we're both up why don't we head down and start breakfast. What does my Chickadee want for his birthday breakfast, hm?"

"Pancakes! With bwuebewwies and smiley bacon and eggs!" Dream demanded with a wide smile.

The blonde rolled his eyes, he should have seen it a mile away as this is what Dream wants for every breakfast since he made it on Christmas.

"Alright Little D! One Smiley breakfast coming up!" Tommy stated placing the toddler on his shoulders.

The two carefully crept downstairs making their way to the kitchen and turning on the lights. He sat Dream into his high chair and started the kettle making coffee before grabbing the ingredients to make the breakfast his son desired.

He looked into his fridge where he stored the berries to see the blueberries were all gone. He'll have to go pick some... or perhaps...

"You around Ghostbur?" He asked softly, placing more ingredients on the counter.

Sure enough, the phantom floated into the room with a cheery wave, "Yep! Happy birthday my dear nephew, it's a bit early to be up isn't it?"

"Dream decided an early start was a good idea." Tommy said with a chuckle grabbing the cast iron out, "Ghostbur we're out of blueberries, mind picking a few for me?"

Ghostbur gave a salute before grabbing a basket and floating out the back door.

Tommy smirked and got back to work mixing up the batter while the bacon and eggs were starting to fry. A soft whistle alerted him to his coffee being ready but his hands were currently covered in pancake batter.

"I've got it mate."

Oh, he didn't even realize Phil was in the kitchen. The elder avian removed the kettle to a pot holder on the counter.

"Where's your mugs at?" He asked, yawning a bit. "Top left cabinet by the sink."

Phil quickly gathered three mugs and a sippy cup out. He filled the mugs up with the fresh coffee before turning to Dream. "Now what does the birthday boy want to drink this morning?"

"Abble juice! Want Abble juice Gwandpa!"

"Apple juice it is then!" Phil stated with a chuckle.

Tommy was thankful his father was here, normally trying to prepare a big breakfast like this without Ghostbur would be a nightmare. He rinsed his hands off just in time to flip the first of the pancakes and get the bacon and eggs out of the skillet.

"Got them Tommy! I also grab some strawberries since they're getting a bit ripe." Ghostbur stated as he returned with the basket.

"Thanks, now you better make sure Friend and his friends have breakfast."

"Oh yes! They must be hungry by now!" The ghost stated flying back out the door, making the two men and the toddler laugh.

"Any reason you sent him out?" Phil inquired as he took a sip of coffee.

Tommy shrugged, "Ghostbur gets a bit upset when there's a lot of good food because he really can't eat any of it so I have him do little chores at meal times. Keeps him happy and gets some work off my back."

"Unkie Techie!"

Tommy looked up to see his eldest brother stumble in with a tired expression. Wordlessly Phil hands the man a mug of coffee and Techno takes a seat next to Dream's highchair.

"Mornin'." He offers with a grumble before drinking coffee.

Dream looked at the piglin hybrid and back to his father, "Unkie Techie sad?" He asked.

Tommy gave a chuckle, "No Chickadee, Techno is sleepy."

"Oh... then he can have my nap time." Dream stated taking a sip of his apple juice.

Phil nearly choked on his coffee letting out a belly laugh while Techno just pressed his head to the table trying to control his snickering.

It had been far too long since they had laughed like this. They truly missed this.

Tommy grabbed the small plate and set it in front of Dream who lit up at his favorite breakfast. "Enjoy Dream."

"T'ank you Dada!" He shouted before grabbing his berries with his hands first thing. Another reason why he dreaded this breakfast was the fact Dream wasn't the cleanest eater as all toddlers are walking messes. Which meant bath time and that was going to be a nightmare in itself.

The younger blonde fixed up a few plates for him and his family before sitting down to eat.

"You've truly grown up. Before you could only make a decent Mushroom stew and now you cook decent meals three times a day." Techno joked as he became more awake as the coffee finally kicked in.

"Hey! I could cook other things than mushroom stew back then!"

"Name one?"

"I made some decent cookies in Pogtopia."

"Those were frisbees not cookies."

"Oh shut up potato man!"

"Make me Theseus."

Tommy froze for a moment letting his joking demeanor still as unwanted thoughts re-entered his mind. Techno and Phil noticed immediately.

"Toms? You alright?"

"...Yeah just..." Tommy sighed, running his hand through his hair, "Tech... Could you not call me... that. .. It hits a bit too hard... with the exile and all..."

Techno brows raised at the admission his brother had made. Before Tommy would never admit something was bothering him. 'Heh, guess he really has grown up.'

"...Alright... Odysseus..."

"...Odysseus?" Tommy questioned with a raised brow.

"A hero whose main goal was to get his way back home to his family." Techno stated taking a bite of his eggs.

Tommy smiled softly as his brother's gesture. He still had the Greek nickname but it wasn't one that ended in tragedy that was too similar to his own life for his liking.

At that moment a piece of egg landed on Phil's face much to his surprise. The culprit, who was currently covered in juices from mashed berries, pancake crumbs, and egg, was giggling continuing to eat his food messily.

The younger avain let out a sigh before standing up. "Sorry Dad, he's a bit of a mess when it comes to his food."

"Toms I had to deal with not only you as a baby and toddler, I had to deal with Techno and Wil, at the same time might I add." Phil said with a laugh as he wiped his face.

"Then do you mind playing distraction while I run a B-A-T-H?" Tommy asked.

"No problem. Now little birthday boy, what would you like for your birthday from Grandpa here?"

"Uhhhh... Birdie?"

"I don't think you Dad would be happy with me if I got you a bird little one." Phil stated with a chuckle as Tommy snuck out to the bathroom.

"Kitty?"

"Same problem there I'm afraid."

"Oh! Bwakbewwies!" Dream stated with wide eyes.

"Blackberries?" Phil asked with a raised brow.

"Sorry my dear nephew but no."

Ghostbur floated in with a happy grin before gently petting the toddler's now messy hair.

"And why is that?" Techno asked to take another sip of his coffee.

"He's allergic. We found out in a rather... not good way. Luckily Tommy stocked up on Allergy Potions for his poison ivy allergy." Ghostbur stated rubbing the back of his head and pulling out some Blue.

"Yeeep no blackberries, sorry gremlin 2.0." Techno said with a small smirk.

The toddler gave a pout before thinking some more on what Phil had asked.

"Ghostbur any chances you know what he would like for a present?" Phil asked his ghostly son.

"Well he loves flying. Tommy takes him flying every Sunday given if the weather is good. He loves stories and playing games of pretend. Last week we played castle and Friend was the dragon while I was the princess. It was quite fun!"

The two newcomers were snickering as they imagined it.

"Other than his adoration of birds, he likes to draw pictures, he loves playing on the swing with Tommy, and he's particularly fond of sweets. Although Tommy doesn't give him a lot because of and I quote, 'he doesn't need a hyper Dream ever again'. Whatever that means."

"I am buying the biggest bag of candy." Techno stated with a deep laugh.

"Only if you're watching him that day because one time with a hyper toddler is one time too many." Tommy stated re-entering the room.

"Oh is it bath time already?" Ghostbur asked.

"God dammit Ghostbur we jus-"

"NO!" Dream crossed his arms with a huffy face, "No bath!"

Tommy sighed, "Chickadee you've got to. Don't you want to be nice and clean for the birdy party right?"

"But bath icky!" Dream tried to reason.

"But I even put in bubbles just for you." Tommy tried to persuade.

Dream faltered for a moment before huffing back up. "No bath!"

The younger blonde let out a huff, "I wish I didn't have to fight you on this Dream. Please it'll be fun, you'll have Cookie in there too!"

"NO!"

"Well if there's a bath with bubbles maybe I'll take it?" Techno said. Tommy looked over in confusion before his brother gave him a wink.

"Well if you want to Tech, I guess you and Cookie will have a fun bath." Tommy stated playing along.

Dream's eyes watered before he yelled, "NO! My bath! Dada want bath! Want Cookie!"

Tommy let out a small smile, "Well alright, sorry Techno looks like he wanted it after all."

"Darn maybe next time." Techno snapped in a joking manner.

"Well let's see if there's a birthday boy under this mess." Tommy stated with a smile before walking out of the room with Dream.

"How on earth did you do that?" Ghostbur asked, "Neither Tommy or I could get Dream to willingly take a bath."

"All warfare is deception." Techno quoted, "Mom used to use the same trick on Tommy when he was younger."

"Well, might as well help Tommy out by cleaning up. Today's going to be a long one." Phil stated as he picked up the dishes.

"Look at you! You're a little birdie yourself now!" Ghostbur said with a cheer.

Once the toddler was clean and dressed Tommy got to work with his daily chores while the three others watched Dream and played with him a bit. Soon enough Tommy finished and dragged out the gifts from one of the top cabinets where Dream couldn't reach.

The first gift opened was from Ghostbur and the adorable hoodie was immediately loved by the toddler even if it was a little big. As soon as he had it on he began running around flapping his arms pretending to fly and saying, "Tweet tweet! I'ma birdie too! Look Dada I birdie!"

The next gift was a few more clothes, gifted from some of the villagers along with a few toys that Dream enjoyed playing with.

The final gift Tommy sat down with a loving smile, "Now Chickadee, this is one part of my gift and you're going to have to be very careful with your gift alright?"

The toddler nodded before beginning to rip into the wrapping paper.

"Ghostbur? What did Tommy get him?" Phil asked in a whisper.

"Don't know. Tommy wouldn't tell me." The ghost replied.

Dream looked at the box that was now unwrapped and opened it with a gasp of happiness. His little hands pulled out a small collar, a food and water bowl, and a few toys but not meant for Dream but meant for a cat.

Tommy went over to the basement area and reached in pulling out a small brown and white kitten with bright blue eyes.

"I thought about it for a long time, and I think a little friend for the inside of the house wouldn't be bad would it Little D?"

Dream ran over and hugged his father with his tiny arms.

"Wuv you Dada."

Tommy smiled gently letting the kitten onto the floor before hugging his son back, "I love you too Dream."

"Wuv Patches too!"

"Patches huh?" Tommy stated ruffling the little boy's hair. "Well then welcome to the family Patches."

Chapter Text

"I'm honestly surprised you haven't messaged the others that we're alive." Tommy stated as he was picking carrots.

Phil and Techno ended up selling the boat they had and built a small house not far from Tommy's place. The villagers were so happy to see him reunited with his family they ended up throwing a full on party which was a nice surprise.

Now a little over two years later Techno was helping him in their garden as it was the beginning of October and the cold was really beginning to set in.

"Our coms don't get signal out here since we're about a hundred thousand blocks from the Greater SMP." Techno stated shaking the device before going back to his potatoes. "So all their good for right now is taking pictures and close communication. What about yours?"

"Old Dream blew it up on day one." Tommy replied without looking up.

"I hate that bastard more each day." Techno stated with a growl.

Tommy smiled a bit before replying, "Well he's no longer a problem."

The piglin hybrid gave a knowing sigh, "I know but it just sucks he will never be punished for all that shit he did to you."

"I... I know Tech. I've made my peace with it... Alexis says I'm making good progress with healing." Tommy added.

That was also new for Tommy. Not long after Techno and Phil began building, a new person joined Port Westwen. Their name was Alexis and they were a therapist with adventuring experience.

It took a lot of courage (and one particularly bad night where he woke up screaming and scared the daylights of Dream for a few days) but he eventually went to see them. They were really kind and understanding and promised to keep everything said between them. They helped him with techniques on how to deal with panic attacks and his PTSD from the wars and the abuse he suffered in exile.

They also were very proud of him for taking in Dream and while they knew nothing of how this happened, they've heard it has happened before. It usually has to deal with witches and/or evokers and it's completely irreversible from their understanding. Tommy was just glad to finally have some clue to what the hell happened. Alexis was also very kind to Dream even after their long talks about that his old self had done and he was grateful to them for that.

"Dad! Look what me and grandpa found!"

Tommy raised his head to see Dream running up with bright blue feather in his hand Phil following not far behind.

"Well what do we got Chickadee?" He asked the five year old.

"Grandpa says it's a bluejay!" Dream stated with a big grin his eyes sparkling.

"Well that's fantastic kiddo. Another feather for the collection eh?" Tommy say with a chuckle ruffling the boys hair.

Dream wiggled a bit before their eyes met and Dream's eyes cast downward with discomfort. Tommy gently removed his hand from his son's head and looked in concern. This wasn't the first time Dream has done this when people look him in the eyes.

"Dream... Are you okay?" Tommy asked, kneeling down.

"Uh huh." Dream said his eyes trained on the ground.

"You can tell me anything, you know that right?" Tommy stated resting a gentle hand on his son's shoulder.

It was quiet for a moment before Dream whispered out, "I don't like looking at eyes... they make me feel... like when something is too hot or too cold or doesn't fit right..."

"Uncomfortable. It makes you feel uncomfy." Phil stated from behind.

Dream nodded, "It used to be okay but now... It's really weird... Especially when people look at my eyes. Other people I can look at okay but when eyes meet... It's really uncomfy."

"Hmmm... this makes a bit more sense with something I've always wondered about." Techno stated before getting into his bag and pulling out a pair of sunglasses.

He gently sets them onto his nephew's face before Dream. "How's that Gremlin 2.0?"

Dream looked at the three of them before softly smiling, "It's not as bad... but it's dark."

Tommy gently embraced Dream into a hug which was quickly returned, "Don't worry Little D, we'll get something lined out. But for now, why don't you and Grandpa put your new feather in the collection book."

Dream regaining some of his cheer nodded and led the elder avian into the house.

"...So that's why he wore that mask 24/7. I thought it was because he was an egotistical prick." Tommy stated with a huff.

Techno chuckled a bit, "I mean he kind of was one. But back on the matter a hand... We probably should make the kid a mask."

"How about we make a few, that way he had more options than blank smiley faces all of the time." Tommy added, popping his back, "I have a good stockpile of quartz so we have options."

"Options for what?"

The blonde avian turned around to see Ghostbur floating behind him with the bag of groceries he had asked him to pick up. Though they were rather self sufficient with the farms they have, there were a few items they had to buy via the market like fish, rice, and coffee.

"You remember how Dream has been avoiding eye contact?"

"Sort of... I had some Blue to make me feel better about it." The ghost replied sheepishly.

Tommy sighed, "Well, we talked to him about it finally and he feels extremely uncomfortable about eye contact."

"Oh! Like Eret?"

"Like Eret- wait what?" Tommy stated in confusion.

Ghostbur nodded, "Yeah Eret had sensory issues due to them being a wither hybrid which is why they wore glasses all the time."

"That... explains more than I thought it would." The blonde said with a huff of laughter.

"So are we getting Dream glasses?"

"No, we're going to make some masks for him. He's not too fond of my shades apparently." Techno stated picking up the basket of the harvest.

"Oh ok!I'm going to check on Friend!" Ghostbur stated floating towards the stables.

Tommy followed suit and the three of them made their way into the kitchen where Phil and Dream were looking through Dream's collection of feathers.

Dream's fascination with birds and flight was still going strong and he had taken up to collecting feathers in his collection book.

The first page was the feathers of his family. Tommy, Phil, and Techno offered a freshly preened feather for his first page and Phil gave up one of Wilbur's feathers he had stowed away, he had more but still it was hard for him to do.

The rest of the pages were filled with feathers of varying birds of different kinds. When they went down to the market he would often ask the sailors if they found any new feathers or cool ones. Most of the sailors knew him now as the Feather Kid and were extremely kind.

Tommy often wonders if Old Dream was this bird obsessed when he was a kid or was it because of Tommy's avian influence. He supposes he would never know unless he somehow talked to someone who knew him as a child... which he had no clue if he knew anyone who knew the Admin as a child.

Either way he knew Dream’s love of birds was a part of him and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

After putting the fresh produce up Tommy and Techno went downstairs and Tommy got out his quartz, leather, and wool. Along with that he pulled out some lapis and began prepping the enchantment table.

"Seeing enchantment... Forgot that mask had no eye holes." Techno muttered before grabbing a handful of quartz and heading to one of the crafting tables. Tommy follows suit and begins creating the familiar smiley face mask that would haunt his nightmares.

Looking at it in his hands made him tremble as memories tried to bubble up. He shook his head and took a few deep breaths before making a few alterations to the mask. He added little freckle marks on the cheeks of the mask and two eyebrows that made the face look actually happy instead of the blank smile it was before. He could look at it without feeling like he was back there.

He peeked over to Techno's design and let out a chuckle. The piglin had made the mask in themes of animals that Dream liked and often talked about. There was a bird, a cat, a cow, a sheep, and of course, a pig. As much as Techno believes the kid would wear the animal mask often he knew the one that would get the most wear out of them was the bird.

Tommy shook his head before wiping down his work table before turning to the enchanting table. This would be enough, and if not they could always make more. He just hopes Dream would like them.

He didn't like them... He LOVED them.

The moment Dream laid eyes on the freckled mask he demanded Tommy to put it on him.

The mask covered the top part of his face, mostly his eyes and nose and was lined with a soft cloth and tied with leather straps.

As soon as the mask slipped on Dream and the enchantments went to work, he was beyond happy and began running around looking at his reflection with such elation. The four adults watched on with joy as the kid bounced around talking to his plush and to his cat about how cool his mask was.

He talked to Alexis about Dream's issue and how the mask both helped Dream but also brought back some bad memories for Tommy.

"Here's a way to think of it. That mask that caused you so much pain is being changed from something of pain into something of protection. You're taking the item of trauma and making it into something good again." Alexis explained.

It helped to think of it that way especially seeing Dream being social again after ages of not talking to anyone but family.

Alexis also brought up that Dream might need glasses from their own past experience but they would have to wait until the eye doctor came to town and that was once a year. He would have Dream's eyes checked out when the man arrived.

At home he would take it off when it was just the two of them. He wouldn't meet Tommy's eyes but that was okay he didn't need to and he was just fine with that. Having Dream sit next to him on the couch dosing off while he pet Patches on a cool autumn night.

Yeah.

Everything was going alright.

Everything wasn't alright.

It was a month into the new year and Dream had caught a horrible fever.

He lacked any of the energy he had constantly and just stayed in bed looking absolutely miserable. He would have horrible coughing fits and couldn't keep anything heavier than soup broth on his stomach.

The poor baby looked absolutely horrible and Tommy was extremely concerned. Phil had come over a few times and calmed him down telling him this was normal for kids when they were sick. Just keep watching his temperature and keep liquids in him.

Tommy worked hard making sure his son was alright giving him doses of medicine he had Phil pick up from the village doctor. He kept repeating the words his father said in his mind, 'It'll be fine. He'll be okay.'

It was during the third night of Dream's sickness, Tommy awoke to a loud pain filled scream echoing through the house.

Dream's scream.

Tommy grabbed his sword and made a dash to his son's room with his safety in mind.

"DREAM!" He called out as he burst through the door looking for an intruder but seeing none.

Dream whimpered as he cried out in pain from his bed laying on his side, his little body curling up into a ball. Tommy dropped his sword and rushed to his son's side looking him over.

"Dream, honey where's the pain at?" Tommy asked urgently.

"B-Bac AGHHHHH!" Dream cried out with a spasm of bright hot pain.

Tommy quickly unbuttoned Dream's night shirt and helped him slip it off and got a good look at Dream's back.

Two large red swollen lumps were pushing up from under his skin near his shoulder blades. He saw them twitch with a spasm pushing against the skin further.

Tommy immediately knew what this was... but it didn't make sense! Dream was human! He didn't have wings before so why now?!

Another scream of pain erupted from the child causing Tommy to hold his baby close and try to soothe his pain that he could physically do nothing for.

Tommy then screamed out into the house, "GHOSTBUR WE NEED HELP NOW!"

Almost immediately the ghost came zooming in with a frantic look.

"What's going on?! Is Dream o-"

"GHOSTBUR GO GET DAD NOW! TELL HIM IT'S AN EMERGENCY AND GRAB ALL THE NUMBING POTIONS WE HAVE!"

Ghostbur zoomed away as fast as he could while Tommy held Dream, trying his hardest to not hurt his tender back.

"D-Daddy?... Wha' h'ppen to me?" Dream slurred in his hoarse voice as tears dripped down his cheeks.

Tommy rubbed his head soothingly before whispering, "You're getting wings nestling... As soon as Grandpa Phil gets here we're going to give to medicine that numbs the pain. But once it's all done you'll have wings baby bird."

"I'll fly like you?" He asked softly before whimpering.

"Yeah, just like me."

Dream nodded before another spasm hit the bulges moving causing Dream to cry out in agony once more blood beginning to trickle on his back from small tears in the skin.

Tommy felt tears drip down his own cheeks as he tried to help, "It's be okay baby, it'll pass! I'm right here Dream, I'm not leaving."

"TOMMY WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"DREAM'S ROOM! HURRY!" He called out with urgency.

Soon the elder avian was there with Techno not far behind. As soon as Phil laid eyes on the bulges in Dream's back he was over in seconds opening the numbing potion.

"Dream, you need to drink this. I know you feel sick but this will help with the pain. Techno go grab a bucket of clean warm water, an empty bowl, and as many towels as you can that can be thrown away later."

The pink haired man nodded and rushed to do his task while Tommy helped Dream to drink the potion despite Dream's gags of discomfort.

"Tom, from this point on you need to speak in avian until the wings burst. The avian will help soothe him and get the wings to come out sooner." Phil stated as he examined the lumps without touching the tender skin.

Tommy nodded and went back to soothing Dream but this time with a series of chirps and whistles. Dream instantly began relaxing more, and along with the potion finally going into effect, he began to stop the sobbing. He hadn't stopped crying but the heart breaking sobs had finally stopped.

Techno arrived with said supplies not long after and Phil went to work laying the towels under Dream and removing his clean bed sheets so they wouldn't ruin. He took a small rag and dipped in the water gently rubbing the bumps making Dream hiss and cleaning the blood. Tommy still chirped at Dream trying to get him to respond as Phil helped the process of the wings emerging.

Soon enough, Dream did begin to respond but not in English. He replied with tiny little peeps much like a baby bird making Tommy's instincts go haywire. 

Tommy responded in kind, making sure his nestling knew he was safe and loved and cared for as he petted Dream's head and rocked him back and forth like he did when he was a baby.

Hours passed and more potions had to be administered as the pain would return as the wings pressed more and more against his tiny back. Dream's voice had gone hoarse with his screams and tiny peeps of pain. His skin was pale and he had thrown up a few times which Techno and Phil had cleaned up for them.

Tommy just held Dream tight, worried about his little nestling. His baby bird being in such pain hurt his soul.

Finally after twelve full hours the wings broke through the skin with a final hoarse scream from Dream. The bloody nubs had small white fuzzy downing feathers dripping with blood, they were newborn wings once that needed tender care. The slits in his skin were raw and dripping blood down the child's back but there was no more bulging pressure to it.

Tommy chirped, grabbing the rag from his father and began gently washing the feathers and back tenderly and chirping to his son. His son replied with tired peeps after hours of pain and hurt as Tommy bandaged his back.

Finally once they were clean and bandaged Tommy picked his son up and walked him to his room. There he gently placed Dream in the center of his bed and began surrounding the two in as much cloth as he could gather. The cloth nest was done as he nestled up to his nestling, his own wings unfurled as well. He places Dream's head onto his chest, keeping him close as the two fall asleep.

The next day Tommy can't leave his room. He doesn't know why but he can't. His body won't let him leave the room where his baby bird sleeps peacefully after his wings had arrived.

Dream sleeps peacefully next to him, his baby wings covered in the white downing feathers making him chirp with happiness. His nestling was growing up nice and strong but he needed to be protected right now.

"Ah so the nesting has begun."

Tommy looks to the door flaring his wings protectively, cawing in an angry manner to ward off the unwanted intruder.

This was his nest! His baby! They weren’t supposed to be here!

Phil spreads his own wings and chirps calmly to his son making Tommy semi snap back to his senses but not fully as his wings were still up in a protective manner shielding his baby.

"I never got to give you this talk mostly because we were expecting Dream to be avain so I guess I'm giving it to you now." Phil stated sitting crossed legged near the door in a non-threatening way and far from Tommy's nest.

"When Dream's wings burst it woke something in your avian parental instincts called the nesting phase. For the next few days you won't be able to leave your safe space i.e. your room. Thankfully you have a built in bathroom here so it will be far easier on you then when your brothers and you burst wings."

Tommy chirped in confusion before smacking his hands over his mouth. He tried to speak but all that came out was chirps, whistles and caws.

Phil smiled softly before adding, "That's another part of nesting. You'll be speaking avian during the time getting your nestling to recognize your chirps as the parent. Dream will be imprinting on you, familiarizing himself with his new instincts and looking to you for guidance. We'll bring you food to the door but we can't step any closer or else you'll maul us."

The younger blonde huffed before chirping out thankfully.

"You're welcome Toms, now I'll leave your nest area. See you two in a few days." Phil stated with a warm smile as he stood up and left the room slowly putting a tray of food at the door and closing it behind him.

Tommy's wings lowered before he walked over to the food tray. Simple broth, a sandwich, two large glasses of water, and a small bowl of blueberries. Tommy nodded approvingly before taking it to his nest.

Dream slowly began to stir and Tommy gave a loving chirp to his waking nestling. The baby bird peeped softly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes before looking at Tommy. He didn't look away like the days before, perhaps it was because he felt safe?

Yes! A safe nestling is a happy one!

Tommy curled his wings and whistled a call to his nestling to him. Dream answered with little peeps before resting in his lap. Tommy held up the food and the two began to eat with chirps and peeps between the bites.

Once the food was gone, Tommy focused on his baby's wings. Some of his fuzz was already starting to loosen and Tommy went to preening them with humming whistles to let his nestling know what he was doing.

With the feathers properly preened Dream snuggled against his father and Tommy curled around him protectively cooing in avian as they fell asleep once more.

Three days.

It was three days of Tommy's instincts making him a protective chirping mess. All they would do in the nest was eat, sleep, preen, chirp and bathe via a wash rag bath.

By the end of day three Dream's pin feathers were beginning to come in a tone of a soft green and nearly all the baby fluff was gone. When they woke up the next day Tommy didn't feel the insane need to stay put or obsessively preen feathers.

"...Can we talk normally again Dad?" Dream asked softly with a yawn.

Tommy chuckled, "Answered your own question Chickadee. How are you feeling?"

"Better... I'm still sore but better."

Tommy gently scooped up his son, "Then let's go have breakfast in the kitchen this time. I'll grab you a regen potion while I'm at it."

Dream chuckled before letting out a peep of gratitude. His eyes widened for a moment before trying to understand what just happened.

"Avians can slip into English and avian easily. It'll take some practice before you get a full grasp on it." Tommy stated walking down the stairs.

Dream nodded before burying his head into Tommy's neck. Tommy gently picks Dream's mask off the couch before heading into the kitchen.

"Hey there." Phil stated with a soft smile of understanding. "Nesting is done now you can relax a bit."

Tommy rolled his eyes before setting Dream down on a stool instead of the normal backed chairs. He helps his son get his mask on so he feels more comfortable as Techno walks over with scrambled eggs.

"Gave us quite a scare Gremlin 2.0, glad to see you're okay." Techno stated ruffling Dream's hair.

"Yeah, having Ghostbur traverse a snowstorm to get us is definitely emergency worthy. It was worth it to see your brand new wings little one." Phil stated with a friendly smile.

"Is that why Uncle Bur-Bur isn't here?" Dream asked, grabbing his fork to get some eggs.

Phil nodded, "It's been snowing since your fever started. Ghostbur is over at our house until he can safely travel but we've kept him up to date and he's very excited to see what bird you are Dream."

Tommy nodded, "I know for a fact it's green so we have options. Hummingbirds, parakeets, Green and pink doves, parrots. That's not even getting into any mobs."

Dream looked up at his family, "Mobs birds count too?"

Tommy chuckled a bit, "Yep you're dad here is a phoenix. My feathers can be used in healing potions and I heal naturally fast. Uncle Teckie is known as a rose vulture, they blend in with flowers to hide and kill their prey which is usually zombies sense they enjoy eating rot. His feathers are used as protection against decay potions."

"As for me and Ghostbur, well Wilbur, I'm a crow, nothing special there other than I can command other crows. Wil was- is a sparrow, he always was a musical soul so a song bird suited him well." Phil stated with a wistful glance.

"Bur-Bur sings good songs! But I like Dad's sleepy song better." Dream stated taking another bite of eggs.

Phil raised a brow at his youngest son who clarified, "The lullaby you used to sing to us when we were scared."

"Ah. You lot always enjoyed it."

Tommy went to the cabinet and pulled out a regen potion and a glass of orange juice. Dream frowned a bit looking at the potion before returning to his food.

"I hate how regen tastes." Dream mumbles under his breath.

His father chuckles before bringing over the juice and potion, "That's what the juice is supposed to wash away. Besides, it'll help you heal faster Chickadee."

Dream stared at the bottle, Tommy liked to imagine he was glaring at it before letting out a sigh and downing the potion before immediately going for the juice.

"Bleugh... I still taste it Dad..." He complained.

"Sorry Little D." The younger blonde apologized.

Phil placed a hand to the child's forehead and nodded softly, "Well on the bright side the fever is nearly gone. Let's get this youngin back to his bed."

"...Is Kiwi there?"

"He is all clean. Go rest, little one you deserve it." Phil added softly, "Me and Tech are going to head home."

Tommy nodded before embracing his father, "Thanks Dad, I don't think I could have done this alone."

"No problem son."

By the time spring had rolled in, Dream's feathers were all grown in and ready to practice flying.

His feathers were a pale mint green that grew darker as it went down the length of the feathers, and at the very tops of the wings was a light edging of a soft pink. Tommy and the rest of his family did through research just as they had done before to find out what his son's wings were from.

Dream's wings were from a Rose Ringed Parakeet native to jungle biomes. They were agile flyers, clever with their natural camouflage, and had a massive love of berries. It fit Dream to a tee.

While Dream was recovering Phil had come across a book that was a door opener about why Dream suddenly was an avian. It was called Hybrid Metamorphosis, where humans who were adopted and/or taken in by hybrids become hybrids. There was two ways of it happening to said human.

First was what happened to Dream, a hybrid taking in a normal human at a young age like a baby or toddler and their mind and body try to adapt to mirror their new parent and their hybrid traits come in at the normal time for normal hybrids. The second happened to older kids, teens, or even adults where a high stress or near fatal incident can insight the change from human to a hybrid matching their adopted family.

Dream couldn't care less about it. He was just excited to have wings after he fully recovered and would have them out any chance he could get away with it.

During the winter the three adults took to educating the young boy about wing care and avian culture in general. Phil took great pride in Dream leaning to preen his wings showing him what feathers could be pulled away to keep their wings healthy. Techno was the one telling him the majority of the traditional stuff like how they celebrate births and deaths. Ghostbur was a bit out of touch with things due to him... well... being dead but he did help and tried to guide the fledgling when he could.

Tommy took up teaching his son about his instincts as his father had done for him. He taught Dream the importance of expression through wings, what was threatening and what was passive. He showed him how different calls in avian meant different things depending on tone and how quick it is. He told him the importance of knowing when it was okay to ignore avian instincts and when to listen to them after Dream had begun taking all the fruit in the house to his room.

By the time the snow had melted Dream was doing well with his lessons and his wings had grown out significantly to a point Dream was ready for his first flying lessons.

Phil and Techno had decided to be on standby but the main responsibility went to Tommy as the young nestling was his baby thus his to teach to fly.

It was a warm spring day and Dream could barely hold his excitement. His Dad was going to show him how to fly!

He always loved it when his father would take him flying or Grandpa or Uncle Techie but now he'll be able to fly for himself and fly alongside them!

Dream was practically bouncing when Tommy came out with a long leed in hand. The masked child tilted his head in confusion, why did they need a lead? Weren't they going flying?

"Okay Chickadee this is your very first flying lesson and while we're learning we're going to have special rules. First and most importantly..."

Tommy held up the lead, "Until you graduate from the lessons you'll be flying tethered to one of us for safety."

"But Daaaad..." Dream groaned.

"No buts. This is for your safety kiddo so you don't get swept away in the wind or fall to the ground."

The five year old huffed but nodded.

"Secondly, I know you won't be fond of this but during the lessons you need to fly with the mask off. I know you can see perfectly fine with it on but if you crash I don't want you getting a bunch of quartz in your face. Plus the only ones seeing your eyes here is flock and only when it's lessons and when you want us too." Tommy added softly.

Dream stilled for a moment in silent contemplation.

People looking at his eyes felt wrong to him, he doesn't understand why it is but when it happens he gets this uncomfortable feeling rattling through his body especially when people look at his eyes. For a while he couldn't even look at his Dad's eyes which really hurt the both of them. But then Dad and Techie made him his masks and things got better to the point he could look at his family's faces again but still eyes were hard to deal with.

...But then his hybrid transformation began and some things changed. When he was nesting with his Dad his eyes didn't bother him nor did he look Dream dead in the eyes either. He felt calm and safe as his instincts told him over and over, ' Father protect flock, flock is safe. Flock won't hurt, will never hurt you.'

Now he could look at his Dad with a mask on or off and feel absolutely fine. Grandpa, Bur-Bur, and Techie he could do for a good while but after a while he'll feel uncomfortable and put his mask back on. They were fine with this and Dream was happy they understood.

He carefully undid the leather straps and set his mask down on the porch next to Ghostbur before turning back to his Dad with eyes brimming with determination and his golden brown curls rustling in the wind.

Tommy smiled and stepped forward rustling Dream's hair with his free hand, "Proud of you Dream."

Dream smiled back, "Thanks Dad."

Tommy then knelt down and began tying the leed around Dream's waist tightly but secure. He then did the same to his own waist and stepped back a good distance between them but the leed was still slack.

He then unfurled his wings to their full length the sunlight peeking through the feathers making it appear as if they were glowing. Dream was in awe for a moment before remembering what they were doing and unfurled his own wings.

Tommy chirped out and spread his feathers wide. Dream followed suit, feeling the air rustle his feathers.

"Do as I do okay?" The blonde reminded to his nestling. Said nestling gave a firm nod intending on following suit. Tommy gave his wings a hard flap as did Dream... and for the first time Dream was in the air under his own power.

Dream laughed as he flapped higher and higher feeling the spring air up in the sky. A small tug to the leed reminded him that his father was still here. He was looking at him with a proud smile before pointing upwards where the wind drafts were going. "Let's start with gliding."

Dream nodded and followed his father higher into the sky.

"It's been a week in the Nether, can we please turn back now?!"

"Not yet! I still need more netherite or else my build will be ruined!"

The two figures bickered as they continued traveling through the nether building a bridge as they went.

"Seriously? You could have made trades dude."

"No, I couldn't have. For 12 netherite blocks I would be homeless afterwards!"

"Well isn't that what you're building? I mean-"

"Hey... is it just me or is that a nether portal?"

They stopped and sure enough it was a nether portal far deep in a part of the Nether that hadn't been explored.

"Finally! We can leave!" One of them yelled in excitement.

"But it's so far from spawn... where will we end up in the overworld?" The other questioned.

"Who cares?! I'm tired and want to sleep in an actual bed."

After some debate they build towards the obsidian gateway before slipping though it as the purple swirls of magic enveloped them.

Once through they found themselves in a room made of cobblestone and dimly lit by lanterns that were seemingly running low on oil, there was a doorway that appeared to lead to some mines and another room entirely.

"Dude... I think we're in someone's base."

"If we are we can just explain that we got lost. Besides you're the one who insisted that we come here."

"Well you're the one who got lost in the Nether!"

"I DIDN'T GET LOST!"

A crossbow bolt whizzed through the air as a very angry looking man in full enchanted netherite armor glared them down.

"Who the hell are you people and why are you in my HOUSE?!"

"...Fuck..."

"LANGUAGE!"

The man startled for a moment before lowering the crossbow and pulling out a torch.

"...You have to be fucking kidding me..." The man huffed as the torch illuminated one Badboyhalo and Skeppy.

"First of all, Language!" The demon chastises.

"Seriously you're getting on the dude who is aiming a crossbow at us?!" Skeppy stated a bit shook hands up in the air.

"Yes, and secondly we're not here to hurt you or grief your house. We got lost in the Nether for like a week and-"

"Jesus fucking Christ Bad. How did you and Skeppy manage to pull that shit off?"

The two newcomers froze. How did this mystery man know them?

"...You know us?" Skeppy asked in a whisper, his hands slowly lowering.

The man gave a hardy laugh, "I know you alright. Skep you and I used to pull such good pranks on Eret and Sapnap. And Bad I still have that scar from where you stitched me up after I fell out of Ponk's lemon tree."

Bad's eyes widened with recognition as dots began to connect, as did the diamond golem hybrids.

The man put down his torch onto the wall before resting his hands on his helmet and removing it with one foul swoop.

Bad fell to his knees in disbelief... because standing right in front of them was Tommyinnit and he was alive.

"What... the actual fuck...?"

Chapter Text

"Am I hearing things or did Bad just curse?" Tommy asked an equally as confused Skeppy. The man had no answer for him because in his mind only one phrase was running through it was, 'holy shit Tommy isn't dead'.

Tommy sighed before gathering up his items and placing them into the nearby chest. He had been down in the mines getting some more iron and diamonds to make some repairs to some equipment along with a few upgrades to their farms. When he came up he wasn't expecting to hear two people fighting near his Nether portal so close to his home, to his son.

So he pulled on his helmet pulled out his crossbow and began threatening their lives until he discovered it was two old friends who were serverly lost. Seriously, how does someone get so lost to end up in the Nether for a week and end up a hundred thousand blocks from the Greater SMP spawn?

"T-Tommy... how? How are you here?! We-... We thought you were dead..." Bad whispered out trying to wrap his brain around it.

Tommy let out a sigh, "It's a long story, one that I would prefer not to tell in my basement."

"This is a basement? I thought this is your entire house." Skeppy commented, "Since most every house you build is either cobble or dirt."

"First off, fuck you."

"Language!"

"Secondly, a lot has changed and-"

"Hey Tommy, do we need anything from the market? I was going to head- Oh hello Skeppy and Bad!"

The two eyes swerved to Ghostbur who pleasantly waved.

"Ghostbur? Is this where you disappeared to?" Bad asked now even more confused.

"Well I-"

"Wil I can tell them, why don't you go to the market before it closes and let Dad know I have guest so they need to watch Chickadee a bit longer." Tommy stated intrupting the ghost.

"Oh! Okay! We need squid ink, some cod, coffee, and sweet berry saplings, yes? I'll be sure to get them all!" Ghostbur stated while happily floating away.

"Dad? You mean Phil is here too?" Skeppy asked with a raised brow. "And what is a Chickadee?"

Tommy groaned before saying, "Let's get upstairs, I need something on my stomach before I have to tell this story again."

The two followed behind the avian closely as they made their way up the cobble stairs and into a rather nice, open, and rather cozy looking house. He motioned them to follow him down a small hall that let into a living room area before turning off on the right to a kitchen.

There Tommy motioned them to sit down at the table before going to his fridge and pulling out some left over rabbit stew from last night's dinner and putting the pot on the burner to warm it back up. Skeppy was practically drooling at the sight of the food and Tommy gave an amused chuckle.

"Don't worry, not letting you starve just needs a bit. You want anything to drink?" Tommy asked as he grabbed some bowls and a few cups.

"Got any booze?"

"SKEPPY!"

"Haha! Nah, might be old enough to drink but haven't really had time to try it. Too much going on." Tommy laughed, "Do you want to have grape juice to substitute your wine?"

"Damn... You've really grown up." Skeppy said, looking him over in a bit of amazement.

The avian gave an amused nod before grabbing a ladle and one of the bowls.

"Never gave a real answer by the way."

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'll take the grape juice."

"I'll have some milk please."

Tommy smirked with a slight chuckle. They haven't changed that much at all.

The bowls were filled with efficacy and the glasses were filled as he brought them over to the table and took a seat. The newcomers went after their food ravenously as this was the first meal in a week that wasn't old pork chops and mushroom stew. They were pleasantly surprised at how good it was, especially considering Tommy wasn't exactly the best cook in their memory.

Tommy ate his fill while thinking about how to go about telling them of what happened. Should he start with Old Dream's abuse? The day before Dream turned into a baby? How they aren't dead?

"You never answered my question earlier either."

"Huh?"

Tommy was shook out of his thoughts to see Skeppy looking at him after taking a sip of his juice.

"What's a chickadee?" Skeppy asked, "I seriously have no clue what it is."

...Well there's a starting point...

"Not what but who." Tommy stated leaning back a bit, "As for who... He's my son."

"WHAT?!"

It took hours for Tommy to explain everything that had happened to him and Dream and Bad was still having trouble grasping onto it.

Dream had became an abuser? When did that happen? And exile? He didn't have a good memory of Tommy being exiled. Then again he and Skeppy were being puppeted by the egg back then before Sam destroyed it with a mix of holy water and soul fire.

After they were freed they learned about Tommy and Dream's 'deaths' and had their own mourning period before getting back to their lives. But looking at Tommy he knew it was him, he didn't even have to use his soul sight.

Then came the part that threw both Bad and Skeppy for a loop; Dream being turned into a child.

It was a ridiculous thing to even say but the earnestness in the voice Tommy used made it hard to argue against. Especially when talking about how he took Dream in as his own child and raising him.

"Got any proof?" Skeppy stated about halfway through. He was extremely skeptical of the story, especially since it was coming from the ' King of Scamming ' himself.

Tommy nodded while standing up, "Other than Dream who is over at Phil's right now, I've got a photo album I've been keeping."

He walked into the living room for a moment and returned with a leather bound book. After he sat back down he slid it over to them and motioned them to open it.

Bad gingerly held the book in his hands before lifting the over and revealing the contents.

"Oh. My. Prime."

There on the first page was a baby boy in a mint green bunny onesie sitting in Tommy's lap. But Bad immediately knew this was Dream. The face, the hair, the eyes. It all screamed Dream.

"Bad...? Is it... Is that really...?"

"Y-Yeah... There's no doubt about it... That's Dream." Bad whispered his clawed hand gently running over the photo.

Skeppy squinted at the photo trying to see what Bad was seeing, "How can you tell?"

"The eyes." Tommy replied for him. "Admins like Dream have eyes like that and no two are the same. Perfect example is Simon from Hypixel, his eyes are gold and silver as his lands are high in wealth. When you see an Admin's eyes you'll never forget who the belong to. I saw Dream's during some of the battles we had with him... Particularly the 16th... So I know for a fact that he is Dream."

The two cringed at the memories that flooded back with that battle. The sounds of the TNT, the fireworks, the screams. It wasn't a good memory to cling tight to.

Bad shook the unwanted line of thought from his mind before he gently flipped the page and smiled at the photos.

There was baby Dream with a bird plush in his arms fast asleep. Another picture showed Dream with a sour looking face as a lemon was in his mouth. He turned another page to see Dream now standing with little shoes on as he held in one arm the bird plush and in his other little hand was a daisy out held to whomever was taking the photo. The next picture was Dream's little face covered in icing as a small cake before him with two candles on it and nearly destroyed.

The rest of the photos were of similar subject matter with the eventual additions of Ghostbur, Phil, and Techno. The last filled in page made Bad freeze in sheer shock. It was Dream sitting down in the grass playing with his cat. But what caught Bad's eyes was the small  soft looking green wings sprouting from his back.

"Wait... how the heck does Dream have wings?!" Skeppy practically yelled, asking Bad's question for him.

"Long story short; hybrids adopting humans can have unforeseen effects. And that is very simplified because Phil can explain in far better." Tommy stated taking a sip of water.

Bad gently closed the book and slid it back to Tommy still thinking about what Tommy had told them.

Tommy had endured horrible actions from his friend and suffered for it. And yet he didn't take vengeance when Dream was reverted to a child, no he was the bigger man and took care of Dream.

He gave Dream a second chance.

And as much as Bad despised the actions the old Dream had done, he was grateful for Tommy for giving what once was his old friend that second chance. He gave Dream a family to grow up instead of the solitude he heard of from his older version.

He gave Dream a home. A family.

"DAD!"

Tommy's face lit up as a small but quick blur of green dashed into the kitchen and barreled into the blonde man.

"Oof! Trying to break your old man's ribs eh?" Tommy joked before sitting up.

Bad and Skeppy looked to see the kid sit back up, a mask resting on his face just like from the photos, as he bounced up and down with a plush bird in hand.

This was him.

This child was Bad's old friend.

This was Dream.

"Dad! Grandpa and Uncle Techie took me flying over by the lake and we got to fish and I got this big salmon! Grandpa made it for lunch and it was really really good and, and-" Dream continued as he flapped his arms in excitement.  

Tommy burst out laughing before gently placing hands on Dream's shoulders, "Your uncle gave you sweets again didn't he?"

"Yep! He gave me a whole bag of chocolate! It was sooo good Dad! And I had so much fun! Can I go with them again tomorrow? Pleeeeeaaaassse?!" Dream exclaimed.

"Techno is so going to get it later." The blonde whispered wistfully, "Anyways, Chickadee there's some old friends of mine I'd like you to meet."

Dream seemed to finally notice them before stilling in his bouncing entirely and moving slightly behind Tommy trying to hide from the new people.

"Sorry he's a bit shy with new people."

Bad gave a small smile, "That's alright. My name is Badboyhalo or Bad for short."

"And I'm Skeppy! It's nice to meet ya!" Skeppy stated with a grin.

Dream shuffled slightly behind Tommy holding the plush tighter with nervousness.

That's when Bad got an idea. "So what's your little friend's name? He looks like lots of fun."

The boy looked down at his plush for a moment before softly saying, "...His name is Kiwi."

"Kiwi. What a good name! I bet he has lots of fun with you."

"Yeah... He's my favorite. Don't tell Patches."

Bad gave a chuckle, "I won't I promise."

"... 'Ow do... I'm Dream Innit. It's nice to meet you..." He stated bashfully still staying close to his adopted father. Bad noticed how the young boy had an accent all too similar to that of Tommy's.

Skeppy nodded and then said, "Now why are you a Chickadee? I still don't get that!"

Dream let out a chirp? Before his green wings slipped out of the holes in the back of his shirt.

"Chickadees are birds. Dad, why didn't you tell them that?"

"Because it was pretty funny watching Skeppy keep guessing." Tommy answered with a chuckle and chirping back to his son.

"Rude!"

"Ay mate got the news we've got guest."

"Hullo."

"I have the groceries!"

The two newcomers looked to the kitchen entrance to see the rest of the Minecraft family standing there carrying in items and giving them a warm welcome.

"...By the way... Where are we?" Bad asked as he realized he had no clue where in the world they had ended up in.

"Ah yeah forgot you got lost in the Nether for a sec." Tommy stated with a welcoming laugh, "Welcome to Port Westwen."

"Aaaand he's out like a light." Tommy stated as he walked down the stairs into the living room where everyone else was sitting.

After everyone had reconvened Tommy and Techno had started on dinner while Phil and Ghostbur distracted Dream and the younger blonde offered his bath to the two as they probably wanted to get clean after all the Nether travel. The two took the offer graciously and by the time they both had taken their baths dinner was ready.

Dream took no time into talking their ears off about all the various things that he did that day and some of his favorite things like birds and adventuring. By the end of the meal Dream was barely awake, his eyes fluttering with sleep. Tommy scooped up his son and got him upstairs to change into some pajamas and tucking him in.

"I never thought I'd hear Dream talk that much." Skeppy said in a joking manor.

"Blame Techno for that. Dream normally isn't that wound up unless he's had a lot of sugar." Tommy stated with a glare at the piglin that held no real heat.

Techno sat up a bit flustered before muttering, "The kid used the puppy dog eyes, I was peer pressured."

They all had a good laugh at that before Tommy took a seat in one of the living room chairs.

"Seriously though Tommy." Bad said as he sat up a bit, "Despite what happened to you, you're giving Dream a good childhood and as an old friend of his I'm truly grateful for that."

"Thanks... Did... Did you know what his childhood was like before?" Tommy asked softly.

Bad frowned a bit before letting out a sigh, "I don't know the full story, mostly like George or Sapnap would but I know some of it. I know for a fact he had a family for a while but something happened and he was all alone. I think he lived in a lot of places as a kid until he met George and the two became friends. Years later they met Sapnap and a year after that they met me and we would play manhunts. It was on one those manhunts when Dream found the SMP."

Bad laughed in reminiscence, "He stopped in the middle of the game with his mask off staring at the land before him with wonder. He told us this was it, it was where his bones belonged, the soil, the air, the sea, it was where his soul had been calling him. It was home."

Tommy felt a strange resonance with that. He knew just about much as anyone what it was like to long for a place to belong, a place to call home.

"Sooooo, you don't know if Dream was as bird obsessed back then?" Ghostbur asked innocently.

Bad let out a roar of laughter before replying, "That muffinhead has always loved birds! His old houses had at least three or more birds in them every time I'd visit and they would just flock to him. Same with dolphins. For some unknown reason dolphins would always approach him, one time he got like fourteen to come up to him while he was swimming. Sap called him a Disney princess for a week."

Phil chuckled, "At some point I imagine Dream is going to try and sneak a bird into your house Toms."

"He's tried and failed." Tommy added with a shake of his head, "He tried to pretend it was Kiwi when it was moving and the wrong color entirely."

Skeppy was rolling with laughter, "How on earth is a kid this funny?!"

"Kids are like that, they use a whole different logic. I remember when Tech and Wil were toddlers they would-"

"Well you look at the time! It's late, time for us to leave Phil!" Techno stated trying to escape the story he knew was coming. Ghostbur was helping push Phil out the door as well as he didn't remember what Phil was talking about he had a feeling it was rather embarrassing for both him and his twin.

The two newcomers waved the others out the door with a few chuckles before it closed. Tommy stood up with a stretch, "I'll show you to the guest rooms."

"Thanks but... I do have one question before we hit the hay." Skeppy stated.

"Shoot."

"Why didn't you let anyone know you guys were here and alive?"

Tommy stilled for a moment before letting out a deep sigh, "The first reason was pretty simple, my com was blown up on day one of exile. The second reason was once I settled and got a hold of Techno and Phil's coms I was out of range."

"Wait, we're out of range?" Bad stated grabbing his com. He took one look before his eyes went wide.

"What the muffin we really are out of range! But it goes up to ten thousand blocks from spawn!"

"We're about a hundred thousand blocks from spawn." Tommy informed.

"What the fuck?!"

"LANGUAGE!"

"Shhhh! Volume for my sleeping five year old!" Tommy scolded as he pointed to the ceiling.

"Sorry."

"Yeah our bad."

"But yeah only local com messages work out here. And the third reason... It's one I've talked to my therapist a lot especially after the whole inciting incident of Dream turning into a baby. I was terrified and felt so alone after months of manipulation. I felt no one cared, that everyone had abandoned me... except for the old Dream. I now see it was a form of psychological abuse which I've been recovering from. During that time I had no control... Here I can finally make decisions without people saying so and so."

Tommy ran a hand through his hair before adding, "I've been getting my nerve back and trying to figure out how to explain to a whole god damned server that I am not only alive but I have a son who is my former abuser and admin of the server. I was just... I was so tired of everything being my fault."

"Tommy... that's not true." Bad whispered.

"I know. I can see that now... but back then I couldn't. Which is why I never tried to send anything... And I've been building up so I can do it one day."

The blonde took a deep breath before moving towards the stairs. "We can talk more tomorrow. Let's get you two into beds."

"Yes please."

"Hi Mr. Bad! Hi Mr. Skeppy!" Dream greeted as both Bad and Skeppy entered the kitchen where Tommy was making breakfast.

"Hey there little man. How are you doing this morning?" Skeppy asked with a yawn.

"Good. Dad's making blueberry muffins for breakfast! Me and Kiwi really like blueberries." The child informed as he held up the bird once more.

"Muffins? Really?" Bad stated with an accusatory look to Tommy.

Tommy in return laughed, "You know I had to Mr. I use muffin and potato as swears."

"Well you won't see me complaining." Skeppy stated taking a seat next to Dream.

The blonde avian nodded before reaching in to the oven-

"WAIT TOMMY YOUR OVE-"

"Chill!" Tommy stated lifting the tray onto the pot holders on the counter.

"...How are you not burned right now?" Bad questioned with wide eyed confusion.

"Does everyone forget my brother is a piglin hybrid and since we ya know share the same blood I might be slightly fireproof." Tommy said with an eye roll.

"You muffinhead! You scared the living daylights out of me!" Bad stated as he slumped into his seat.

Tommy once again rolled his eyes before emptying the tray and carrying it to the table where Dream automatically grabbed one and had his face buried into it.

"Alright, so we need to plan an agenda today." Tommy stated as he sat down, "You have options on how to return to the Greater SMP lands. One is walking/horseback which could take you up to half a year or so. Two is building or buying a boat but that will still take months to sail back to the SMP. The third and quickest option is through the nether possibly building a mineral in there so there can be quick travel and not a week of being completely lost."

"As much as I hate to right back in... The nether seems like the fastest way." Bad said as he bit into his own muffin, "...This is really good."

"Thanks, Ms. Amelia taught me it not long after I arrived in Port Westwen. But if you're not ready to head back in the Nether you can recuperate here for a bit. Plus you need supplies and I know the blacksmith in town just got a restock on iron I think." Tommy added taking a sip of his coffee.

Dream nodded with a blue smear on his chin and part of his mask, "And I can show you all the cool stuff! Like the port and shops and the walking paths!"

 Tommy laughed before grabbing a napkin, "Little D, you have more muffin on your face than in your belly."

The boy grimaced as Tommy wiped his face down before groaning, "Daaaaad..."

Skeppy and Bad looked at one another before coming to the same conclusion.

"So this market-"

"YES!" Dream cheered, "I'll go get my boots!"

As the energetic kid ran off in his excitement his father turned to the two guest, "Be prepared to deal with a five year old on a shopping trip."

Skeppy scoffed, "It can't be that bad."

Skeppy retracted his statement, it was pretty bad.

Dream was everywhere at once trying to show them everything about the little town. The villagers were kind and sweet to not only to Dream but them as well and understanding about a very hyper child.

Tommy had informed them that while he wasn't as hyper as yesterday he was still fairly hyper due to him being... well a kid on a trip. Along with that he told them that Dream was a hybrid of a bird that mostly ate fruit and was quite speedy so it was natural for Dream to be a bit more energetic.

Skeppy just didn't expect the kid's energy to zap his own. They had only been there for an hour and he wanted to sit down. Bad however was handling it far better as was Tommy although Tommy had an excuse as this was his kid. Bad was just good with kids in general.

"Speckled Seagulls!"

"H-Huh?"

Skeppy was pulled out of his thoughts as Dream pointed to the skies near the docks, "Speckled Seagulls! Aren't they cool?! They can eat a lot of fish and still fly while eating."

The diamond golem nodded, "Yeah that is pretty cool."

"There's a lot of cool birds at the docks, like pelicans and sometimes a few eagles!"

"Chickadee, remember to not talk their ears off completely." Tommy reminded with a playful smile.

Dream huffed before saying, "Okaaay."

The little boy wandered closer to his father resting his head into his side as they continued walking through the village.

"Alright we have iron, some redstone, some provisions, anything else you lot can think of?" Tommy asked.

Bad put his hand to his chin before stating, "We might want to get some wool for beds in case we need to script mine a pathway in the netherrack."

"That's a good idea, I know the tailor down the way she set you-"

"OUCH!"

Tommy turned to see Dream knocked to the ground gripping his face while a man was staring down at him his posture unstable and reeking of ale.

"Out of the way ya fuckin' stupid brat." He growled with a slur making the child whimper.

Tommy stepped in front of Dream with a dangerous glare, "What exactly do you think you're doing to my son?"

"He was in my fucking way. Plus the brat had it coming wearing shit like that." The drunk stated as he gesture to the mask.

"You better turn right around if you want to keep your face intact." Tommy growled dangerously, "Because I know for a fact no one round here takes kindly to those who discriminate."

"I'm not fucking discriminatin'! Ya kid's just a freak with a-"

The man didn't get another word in before Tommy decked him in the face, his wings coming out of the slits in the back of his shirt and shielding Dream while Bad and Skeppy stood by Tommy's side glaring down at the drunk.

The man held his bloody nose before looking up in shock as Tommy drew his netherite sword and pointed at his throat.

"You take your drunken self back to whatever boat you got off and never come back. You're not welcome here, bastard." The blonde stated his eyes aflame with a protective rage.

The man started scooting backwards before starting to run while villagers yelled at him and glared as he ran. They were just as disgusted with the man as Tommy was.

Tommy re-sheathed his blade quickly before turning around and kneeling to his crying son.

"Dream, you okay?" He asked softly.

The little boy gave a sob before looking up, revealing a split lip that dripped blood and his chin that had already started to bruise.

"I-I... I was so scared D-Dad..." Dream whimpered tears dripping down his cheeks.

Tommy gathered him into his arms before he started giving comforting chirps. "It's okay baby. Dad's got you now."

Bad knelt down beside them and pulled out a regen potion, "Let's fix you up, yeah?"

"Skeppy mind grabbing a juice from a stall near by? These potions never really settle on his stomach well." Tommy inquired.

"No need lad, I got ya handled." An elderly storekeeper said as he walked over with a glass of cider. "Hate to see men like that enter our town and think they own the place. It was good to see ya knock them down a peg eh boyo?"

Tommy nodded as he took the glass, "Thanks Captain Evans."

"No problem. I'll be off to tell the guard of the scoundrel and tell make sure he's out of here by sunset."

Bad carefully administered the potion as the elderly man walked away. Tommy then gave the glass to Dream who downed it rather quickly so he didn't throw it up.

Soon enough the split lip had scabbed over and the bruise had lightened up dramatically.

"Better kiddo?" Skeppy asked as he stood a bit off to the side.

Dream gave a small nod, "My lip still hurts a bit but not much."

"Nothing some ice cream can't help!" The golem stated with a smile as he directed his thumb towards the ice cream parlor. "If that's okay with your Dad that is."

Dream looked to his father before Tommy let out a sigh and a small smile, "Yeah, ice cream sounds good. Then we'll head back up."

The child let out a watery yet happy chirp as Tommy put him on his shoulders before the group made their way to the ice cream shop.

"I'm honestly surprised you didn't do more than break that dude's nose." Skeppy stated as they were walking up the trail.

After a long day of shopping and the healing potions kicking in, Dream was out like a light draped over Tommy's back in the form of a piggyback ride. Bad and Skeppy were holding the majority of their bags and some of Tommy's which he was honestly grateful for.

"Oh I would have if Dream wasn't there. Right wrongin' that one is, drunk off his ass and hurt my kid like that. I would have kicked his fucking ass!"

"Language!"

"...But Dream was there and... I don't want him to see that... He's just a kid... Just a five year old little boy who shouldn't have to see his Dad kick someone's teeth in... Even if they deserve it." Tommy stated softly.

Dream let out a soft snore before adjusting his head into the nape of Tommy's neck to be his pillow.

"You've really matured." Bad complimented. "Normally you'd be a rage machine and a half over that potato head."

Tommy chuckled, "You can thank my therapist for that. They're really understanding and helped a lot with dealing with all the bullshit I had going on."

"That's right you mentioned a therapist before during the initial talks." Skeppy added.

"Yep! Doc Alexis has helped a lot with the trauma and shit I've been through. They're also just nice to talk to."

Skeppy snickered, "Ohhhhh does big man Tommy have a cruuuush?!"

Tommy rolled his eyes, "They're married Skep for one, and for two they're like fifty-seven."

The demon giggled as the diamond golem's face flushed with embarrassment as they were almost up the hill. The sun had begun to set, making the trees glow with the golden colors of twilight. A few fireflies began to flicker as they walked, giving an almost magical feel to the trail.

No wonder Tommy had decided to build his house on such a scenic area, even the walk up was gorgeous. Bad could help but constantly look around as they walked, seeing all the birds and animals that lived by the trail. It was soothing. Far soothing than anything he had seen in a while.

Finally they arrived at the house just as the sun was nearly set. Tommy carefully walked into the house before putting Dream to bed while Bad and Skeppy began unloading their items into the guest room. There was already a crafting table in the room and the two were making use of it, turning their iron, wood, and redstone into stacks of cart rails and redstone rails.

They were about to stop for the night when a small creak of the door alerted them to someone's presence.

"Tommy? If that's you we were going to be stopping for the night." Bad stated as he packed the rails into his ender chest.

"...Mr. Bad?"

Bad turned around in surprise to see little Dream standing there with his mask off and looking down at the ground. The little boy was pale and trembling as tears dripped down his cheeks.

"Dream? What's the matter?" He asked, kneeling down while Skeppy stood over by his bed.

The boy sniffled, "Had a bad dream... I threw up too... Can't find Dad..."

The demon's heart ached for the boy, the poor thing.

"Skeppy, can you see if you can find Tommy? I'm going to get Dream some water."

The diamond golem nodded and rushed out the door while Bad turned back to Dream, "Let's get some water okay? Maybe some mint to help your belly, yeah?"

Dream gave a small nod before gingerly taking Bad's hand as he let the sick child to the kitchen and grabbing a cup of water and putting a few mint leaves into it to soak. He took it over to the sickly boy and let him take small sips as he looked tired and a bit ill. Bad grabbed the trash can and placed it nearby, just in case.

Soon enough Skeppy and Tommy were entering the kitchen door with Ghostbur floating along not to far behind.

"Hey Chickadee... You're not feeling good?" Tommy asked quietly as he took a seat next to him.

Dream nodded as he rested his head into Tommy's lap, "...Bad dreams... It made my belly hurt... I threw up a lot... Sorry..."

"No worries Dream, it's an easy clean okay?" Ghostbur comforted rubbing the boy's hair.

"You want to talk about it? The nightmare?" Tommy asked.

"...The bad man hurt you... And he hurt Grandpa and Bur-Bur and Teckie... He hurt everyone really bad and there was fire and there was big booms and smoke and... A-and..."

The boy began to sob into his father's lap, all while Tommy rubbed a comforting hand on his back. He whistled out chirps and coos as he continued to soothe him.

Finally the sobs stopped with Dream falling asleep nestled in his father’s lap. Tommy sighed before scooping up the child in his arms.

"Sorry about that." He apologized to his guest.

"No need to, just glad he got that out." Skeppy stated looking at Dream with concern. "Does that happen often?"

"No, just once in a while. Especially after something spooks him... I remember he wouldn't sleep in his own bed for a week after he decided there was a monster in his closet." Tommy stated with a fond smile, "I think today just hit hard and his nerves didn't sit well with the ice cream. I'll put him in my bed and go clean it up."

Ghostbur gently rubbed Dream's hair affectionately before floating over to the cleaning supplies.

"You get him to your bed Toms, I've got the mess. You both look tired."

Tommy smiled tiredly to his brother as he picked up his son, "...Thanks Wil."

"Friend no! That's my hoodie, not a snack!" Dream cried out in annoyance as he was trying to escape the blue sheep.

"Escape little dude! He thinks it's grass!" Skeppy teased from the porch steps.

It had been over one week since the two newcomers had arrived in the Innit household and they've been enjoying their time there. When they weren't in Tommy's mines or shopping for supplies for the minecarts, they have been taking in the scenery and serenity of the area... That and playing with the exceptionally hyper five year old.

Skeppy had to admit, the kid was kind of growing on him. He appreciates how silly and creative Dream could be when he played his pretend games, or just how curious the kid was. At first playing pretend sounded like a nightmare until Dream got him and Bad in on it and it gave him some of the best belly laughs he has had in a long time.

Right now he was supposed to be helping Bad with a layout plan for building the rails and protecting them from ghast blast... but he ended up stepping outside to see Dream Ghostbur and Tommy doing their daily chores. Both Bad and Skeppy had offered to help but they turned them down saying they were suppose to relax. As for Dream, his 'chores' was more of watching curiously and doing small things like helping Ghostbur pour food and collect eggs, or helping Tommy pick crops and pull weeds.

Right now the five year old was helping Ghostbur feed the sheep including Friend who seemed to think Dream's hoodie was the perfect breakfast.

"Friend no. Bad sheep!" Ghostbur scolded separating the sheep from Dream. The boy in question giggled a bit before walking out of the pen.

"Dad, can I fly for a bit?" Dream shouted to the back of the house.

"Help me pick the rest of the peas and then you can!" Tommy shouted back.

"But peas are gross." Dream groaned.

Skeppy snickered a bit at that, "I think he wants you to just pick them not eat them."

"But if he picks them it means he's gonna make them soon! And they're gross!" Dream reasoned, sticking his tongue out.

"If you don't come pick up in the next minute, no flying today!" Tommy declared as if to read the boy's mind.

Dream once again groaned and begrudgingly made his way to the back of the house. Skeppy shook his head in amusement before turning back to the nature around him.

It was the last week of July and the cool summer air was filled with smells of the meadow flowers and earthy tones of the nearby creek. There wasn't places like this in the SMP anymore unless you strayed far away from the main area, even then it didn't have this... calmness. Here you didn't have to worry about conflicts, griefings, alliances, any of it. Here you could just relax and let the barriers down.

Tommy had truly picked the perfect place to heal and Skeppy didn't blame him one bit for wanting to stay.

"So this is where you were, you muffinhead."

Skeppy practically leapt out of his skin in surprise. "Bad you scared the heck out of me!"

"Well you were suppose to be helping me plan stuff." The demon stated as he crossed his arms. "What had you distracted?"

Skeppy gathered himself before softly smiling and turning back to the view, "At first I was watching Dream trying to escape the sheep trying to nom on his hoodie... Then I just got to thinking about things."

Bad walked up beside him leading on the rail as he looked over the scenic area with him.

"I get that. A lot has happened here in these few days and it really changes your perspective."

"What about you Bad? How are you handling this?" Skeppy asked genuinely curious.

Bad let out a long sigh before speaking, "Before the egg took us over, I thought there was something wrong with Dream especially during the Manburg vs Pogtopia thing. He started acting off like he wasn't all... there. It was after that meeting with Schlatt he started just... not caring anymore. I was going to bring it up to him but... then we found the egg."

The demon rested a hand onto his face in regret as he leaned into the railing more, "And then we lost nearly a year Skeppy. We attended funerals we don't remember, we started conflicts, we blamed others, we did horrible things because of that stupid egg..."

Skeppy frowned slightly before placing a calming hand on his best friend's shoulder, "It's not your fault Bad. No one could have predicted that would happen."

"I know... I just... I wish I could have done more."

"If I may interject?"

The two turned their heads to see Phil walking up to the railings a basket of peaches in hand.

"Y-Yeah go ahead..." Bad stammered with a small blush.

The man gave a friendly smile before setting his basket down, "I know what it's like to have regrets over things I didn't do, things I did do, and things I should have done. In my long life it has taken me many years to come to this conclusion after everything I've been through... I can't change the past. I can't change what happened before, but I can learn from it. Use what has happened to you not as an anchor weighing you down to your mistakes but as a sail to guide you to being better."

Phil looked over to Ghostbur who was gently petting Friend, "I regret killing Wil with all my being, I regret not being there for my boys when they needed me, I regret leaving them with that bastard... I regret not being there when Kristen passed... But I got back up and moved forwards trying to fix my mistakes. Besides... If I hadn't gone through what I did, I would be a different person, I wouldn't have met so many of my friends or saw the amazing lands that I did."

Bad looked at the man with a bit of awe over his sage advice. He never really got to talk to Phil that often but the man had a lot of wisdom from his many years of adventure and life.

"GRANDPA!"

...And said wise man was now down on the ground with a hyper child glomped onto him.

"Ghk! Hi kiddo... Mind letting me go so I can breathe?"

Dream released the man and stood up, his wings were out and fluttering with excitement.

"Dad's gonna let me fly! Do you wanna fly with me today Grandpa? Please? We can go really high!"

The older man gave a chuckle before gently petting on the head with a few chirps. "I think I can do a flight with ya baby bird."

"WOOO!" Dream cheered running around the yard with excited laughter.

Tommy walked up with a smile and knowing shake of his head, "I'll stay on ground support. You two have fun."

Phil nodded with a grin before giving a loud caw towards Dream who immediately calmed his running and spread his wings.

Both guests watched in amazement as the two rose into the air with their powerful wings propelling them upwards. Dream was happily laughing and smiling as he went higher letting his wings rest as he glided on the air currents all while Philza flew nearby making sure the young avian was safe.

"Dream would always do these weird tricks to try and fly with things like boats and scaffolding... It's really nice to see him actually flying. If only the others could see him now." Bad whispered with a soft smile.

Tommy nodded, still keeping his eyes on the skies.

"...Bad, Skeppy... Do you think you could deliver a message for me?"

"Sure... what is it?"

"An invitation... I think it's time to face my fears."