Chapter Text
Soft snowflakes falling upon pale skin caused a gentle stir of the man laying in the unbroken blanket of snow that stretched out for several kilometers. A small groan comes from him, eyes fluttering open slowly with sluggish feeling hanging onto him. His mind gradually wakes up, his slow breaths visible in the cold air and his skin feeling vague pricks of the chilling cold and snow, making it numb and stiff.
Long hair partially covering his face with snow sticking to it, more covering the rest of his body which began to crumble off of him as he pushed himself up. Arms shaking at his own weight but managing to sit himself up right, his gaze scanning the area around him. Confusion making itself known.
Where was he?
Why was he in a snowy field?
He tried to remember, he tried to think what he was doing here, what brought him here but his mind was fuzzy. Memories blurred and vague as he holds his head with a hand. Subtle thumps of pain hitting against the insides of his own mind from trying to remember, thinking too hard about it bring a sense of frustration to mix with the confusion he had about him.
What was going on?
Why was he out here, all alone?
Pushing the hair out of his face, his sights turn to look at himself.
He was.. not dressed at all for this weather.
All he wore was a jumpsuit, it was dull, torn and tattered. Clearly having been worn into and for far too long at one time, a vague memory makes his way to his mind.
He was running, running with people, running out of a box of purple and black. A sense of freedom and even happiness came with that memory, a small smile slowly spreading onto his face from it.
Maybe that's where it was from.. Looked like something for a prison. Was he meant to be in prison?
Why would that be?
Did he do something?
No memories could confirm or deny such a thought, none that he could recall.
Maybe he wasn't meant to know and to him that was okay.
However, it didn't explain why he was here. In this vast snowy field that he found himself in..
"Come on Dream.. there has to be an explanation.."
His voice was so soft, barely above a whisper that not even the environment around him would be able to hear from him; words only for himself to know.
Dream lifts his head once more, scanning the space in front of him, barely making out a spruce forest further ahead of him and some hills off to the left that felt vaguely familiar to him.
"Hills.. and a forest.. in the snow.. That's familiar, where.. in the smp.. is that?"
Hanging his head low, eyes squeezed shut as he tries to remember, tries to figure it out. Trying hard to make the memories clear to him like he wants to yet not getting the answers he wanted from his own foggy mind as if something was making them faded and unrecognizable other than vague, familiar scenes and shapes..
Maybe he just needed time.
The memories were there, they just needed to be cleared and uncovered, maybe that took time. Something he couldn't force to happen. It was giving him such a headache trying to make it happen
Patience seemed like it was needed..
His own frustrations however made that difficult to have, only made him more confused. His eyes stung as they welled up with tears and a lump formed in his throat that he tried to swallow down, trying to not cry from all this. Trying not to let it all get to him.
He just woke up in the snow, his memories disconnected and filled with static that only brought him a headache trying to remember them and it only upset him as he couldn't figure out how he got to this point!
Swallowing down the lump again, he took breaths in slowly through his nose, doing what he could to calm himself down and avoid crying his eyes out at feeling helpless.
Calm..
Calm..
He needed to be calm to think, be calm to figure this out.
Shifting his body, he stretched out his limbs, the stiffness from the cold made it difficult to move but stretching seemed to help loosen himself up a bit as he flexed his fingers to do the same to them as well.
Slowly, Dream began to get himself up onto his feet, limbs shaking against his weight with stiffened jitters and shakes, eventually getting stood up properly. Feet stuck under the inches thick snow with small shivers travelling up his body every time his skin came in contact with the surrounding snow or the cold air that blew against his thinned body.
"Hey! You! You okay there big man??"
That was a familiar voice!
"It's freezing out here! what the fuck are you doing out here?? Freezing your ass off??"
The voice was very familiar! One he'd hear yelling very often in his memories, that held a friendly sarcasm yet genuine concern to it- Almost making him laugh before he had even seen who the voice belonged to.
Lifting his head up and turning to the voice, his eyes trained themselves onto the figure that was now meters away from him. Freezing up as if the weather just now froze him, a look of panic spreading onto their face within an instant.
Blond hair with a white streak in it, bright blue eyes accompanied by red horns and a devil's tail that had wrapped itself around the figure's leg who trembled in his place.
It was almost as if he was comforting himself.
Why was he so scared all of a sudden?
Was there something around?
He turned his head, scanning the area around him for anything that would set off such a reaction only to find nothing around, there wasn't anyone for miles other than those two.
"There's.. no one else here"
He spoke, his voice soft and reassuring. Turning back to the figure who tensed up again, making the man so confused as to why he was acting so afraid.
"Is.. something scaring you? I don't see anyone around.." He went on, "Oh.. Unless I can't see them.. Are they invisible? Do I need to feel around?" He questioned, moving his body to grab around him, only frowning when he got nothing.
"Did they m-"
"Stop fucking with me!"
The way they yelled at him made Dream flinch, turning his attention completely to them again and blinking in surprise. Hands grasping at themselves and fidgeting immediately.
Why did he yell? Was he missing something?
"You know damn well why I'm scared! You.. you know so.. S-so fucking well why I'm scared!" His voice was choking and had a strain to it, like he was holding himself back from crying but rage roared in his eyes and spread on his face.
Why was he so.. angry and upset?
Something poked at him. This guy was so familiar to him, something.. about discs.. something about a country.. something about a friend he had..
Name..
What was his name?
A realisation hit him, eyes going wide and a smile coming to his face.
"Oh! Tommy!"
The way he almost shouted his name made the hybrid flinch and step back, but he didn't seem to notice it as he smiled awfully bright at Tommy.
"I didn't realise it was you for a moment! The old gears in my head are still warming up hehe!" A happy giggle came from Dream, the scene was so unlike him and even Tommy could see that.
"What.. the fuck is wrong with you?" Tommy questioned, eyebrows furrowing, eyes quickly looking all over him to figure out what was going on. He knew this wasn't like Dream to be forgetful or so.. joyful in a sincere way, he was this maniac who tortured him relentlessly physically and mentally; even killing him brutally in prison.
"What's wrong with me?" The man parroted as he seemed to think about it, nothing really came to mind. He wasn't in pain, he didn't have anything going on, if anything he was rather happy!
Maybe it was a bit cold..
"Iiii can't think of anything wrong.. it is a bit cold though"
Tommy blinked, squinting his eyes in disbelief that this was Dream. The man that made his life and the lives of others hell, it was like he wasn't himself.
Did he hit himself on the head?
No.
No something wasn't right and he was slowly piecing it together.
Paled skin..
Unfocused eyes..
The colour is even dull..
What..
Tommy quickly shook his head. No, No that's absurd! No way in hell that happened! Dream must have just hit his head or maybe he thought this was some weird dream he was having!
He should leave. Now.
That panic was still pounding in his chest, threatening to make him unravel in front of the man and Tommy didn't want that at all.
"I.. Ugh, look just.. go home or.. some shit, I dunno! Just don't stick around here okay?"
Tommy didn't give Dream much of a chance to reply before he was hurrying off, hand clutching his chest, the snow melting around his legs as he went off.
Leaving Dream standing where he was.
Home?
Where was home?
Did he have a home to go to?
Maybe.. This place was home? He did wake up here, maybe this was where he belonged.
There wasn't much else he could really do, his memory was still hazy on the details and he wasn't even sure he had a home anymore.. If he even had one in the first place..
Did he ever have one?
Either way, he was left in a snowy wasteland and the blond devil had already left. Leaving a trail of melted snow in his path, falling snow starting to slowly cover it up but despite his rising curiosity.. he stayed where he was, opting to settle himself back where he was.
Dream pushed the snow around him, enough where he could comfortably sit in a small ditch that reached the grass under the snow.
What was there to do now?
Maybe he could make a house from the snow..
Then one day goes by..
Then two days go..
Which turned into three days, Dream was no builder but the small igloo he made was actually pretty decent. It didn't have much of a roof but it was enough to keep the snow off of him and the small fire he had made. It kept him warm, kept the monsters away from him and provided light to eat ss well as a way to cook food.
Pulling away the steak from the fire, he pokes at it, the warmth obvious against his finger but it wouldn't burn as it usually did. Maybe he was just numb to the burning heat or maybe the cold just cooled it enough to make it bearable.
Regardless, he didn't hesitate to bite into the meat, tearing a chunk off and scoffing it down like he hadn't eaten in forever.
Well, he wasn't really hungry. If he was honest, he hadn't felt hungry in the last few days he had been in this frozen field. The cold didn't bother him much other than the occasional stiffness it gave him, he didn't have a feeling of being hungry and the loneliness wasn't as bad for him as it would be for anyone else.
Even so, he had cravings for the things like food, warmth and even company.
Maybe he should wander around..
Even with his memory, he knew the SMP very well.
He knew that with snow then there was a cabin nearby, he knew that by the ocean was a temple with grand buildings and statues, he knew that there was a crater and around it was a city that despite it's damages and history, it stood proudly. Battered and bruised but still living.
He knew that by a beach was a deserted home and destroyed structure that was left unrecognizable.
He knew in a ravine, there's a place once used for something greater and now laid silent and abandoned.
Dream knew these places, yet the names were lost on him. All he knew, was that they were within the DreamSMP..
Another bite into the meat, again wolfing it down instead of savoring it, wanting to feel some kind of satisfaction of being full and it made him happy when he got that feeling upon finishing his meal. It might have been small but it was more than worth it.
…
Crunch.
The sound of snow crunching under someone's foot caught the dirty blond's attention. Now, it was nothing out of the ordinary with just the sound itself especially at night but if it was a monster then he'd be in danger and he couldn't have that.
He pulls out his stone sword from his inventory, having thought it would be a good idea to have something to defend himself with after the second day alone. He had a zombie problem that ruined his igloo somewhat and it upset him so to solve that- he got weapons!
They weren't the best, but it still helped him a lot. Especially with mobs that wandered too close during the night.
Carefully, he stood up. Peeking over the half built walls of the igloo, eyes scanning the area. Was it always this dark at night?
He turned his head and the sight of blond hair made Dream perk up, a smile coming onto his face as he leans against the solid snow wall.
"Tommy! Hiii!"
The green eyed man greeted, grin bright and his grip on his sword having loosened but not fully let go. He didn't want to risk being snuck up on and not being prepared again, that would be a bad time.
"Why are you still.. fucking here?" Tommy questioned, his expression wasn't really too readable but he looked annoyed yet his tone gave off another feeling. Concern perhaps? Or was it pity? He couldn't tell too well.
"Shouldn't you have.. I dunno.. gone home or some shit? What's with the half assed snow shelter?"
Another question.
"Oh! It's an igloo! I'm.. not too great at building, gives me plenty of shelter though!" Dream beamed, the company practically making him rock on his feet, rocking back and forth quite happily. Just talking to someone was making his night.
"And what about your.. house? Why haven't you gone back there?"
Just from obversing Tommy, he could see how his breathing had a off rhythm, how occasionally he'd glance away- not daring to look him in the eye for too long. How he seemed to fidget and how his tail swayed anxiously and flicked in agitation.
Was Tommy always this readable?
"My house?" He parroted, having to think about how he wanted to answer this. A small feeling wanted him to lie, to say that it was very far away and he didn't have the equipment to make the trip but why would he need to lie? He could just honestly say he doesn't remember it.
That he didn't remember if he had a home or not.
Seemed like the easiest option really.
"I.. Don't know! I don't know if I do have a house, If I do have one then I haven't got a clue where it is"
Did Tommy know where he lived? Unless he didn't then it would be pointless to ask him where he lived.
Another expression took its place onto Tommy's features, how he seemed to furrow his brows, how he tilted his head and his eyes seemed to hold a confused pity but his body said he was conflicted with thoughts. Like he was debating something in his mind, at war with himself..
Perhaps it was important..
He wondered what it could be.
A sigh escaped from Tommy, along with muttered words that sounded like curses before his gaze set on him.
"Come on" Tommy started.
"Huh?"
"Come on, let's.. get you out of the cold, be warmer in L'manburg" Tommy huffed, annoyed again.
He hoped not at him, he hoped he didn't do something to make him annoyed..
"L'manburg?" Dream racked his brain for a familiarity to that name. He knew of it, he definitely knew of it but the name wasn't bringing him any solid memories he could connect it to.
"You know.. the fucking country you blew up for the second time? Left a giant hole in it for fun."
Tommy was so blunt with that sentence but it did click with him.
"Oh! The one with the crater? Yeah! Yeah, now I remember!" Dream smiled yet it faltered when the full sentence registered with him. "I blew it up? Why would I do that?" The questions seemed to be more towards himself than Tommy, confused at why he'd do anything like that.
"I.. Just.. nevermind, lets go, it's freezing out here big man."
Tommy turned, the snow melting around his legs and when the flakes fell near him, walking off in a direction he remembered him going off in last time. It was funny, he had no memory of Tommy being able to create such heat but things can change it seemed.
Gathering the few things he had from the half built igloo, he quickly caught up as quickly as his stiffened limbs would let him go. Easily catching up with Tommy and walking behind him, just barely feeling the warmth that was radiating off of Tommy. Like a walking, talking radiator.
He seemed like he'd give amazing hugs with such warmth coming from him, he could imagine them feeling so comfortable, gentle and welcoming.
That reminded him of someone, someone he felt like he knew well. Yet the name was lost on him.
Names seemed to be so easily lost on him.
"Why are we going to L'manburg?"
Dream asked, looking over to Tommy with a curious look on his features. Eyes trained on Tommy as he noticed him glance at him, slightly moving away from him. Personal space seemed to be pretty important to him.. He'll respect that.
"Because it's better than.. freezing out there.." Tommy muttered, just loud enough for Drean to hear before he went on with his answer, "Don't understand why the hell you'd willingly stay out there, Technoblade wasn't that far from." he finished, looking to Dream as if he was waiting for an explanation.
"Technoblade.. The piglin right?"
It felt like something or someone he should know, felt like someone important. Maybe someone he relied on? Maybe something else.. He wasn't too sure.
"Yeah, him.."
That meant Technoblade lived in the cabin, the cabin in the middle of a snow biome. It made sense to him, a piglin that lived with an Elytrian, a sense of anarchy was heavy with the memory and sometimes akin to the smell of potions and wither skulls came up in his mind. That was an unmistakeable connection to Techno, he was always a good potion maker and had a love for using withers in his schemes.
Just thinking had made him miss the moment they ended up in L'manburg, the night letting the lanterns and lights illuminating the paths and structures of the chaotic landscape of the city.
This almost felt nostalgic.
"It's nice here at night, can almost see the stars!" Dream proclaimed, smiling widely as he walked with Tommy. The stiff feeling in his legs and arms was slowly calming down as the climate was much warmer even if it was night time.
Tommy didn't answer him, only a hum of acknowledge came from him. Looking around as they walked, almost in a cautious manner, or maybe he was just looking out for mobs. There were plenty of dark spots that could be potential areas monsters could appear, being ambushed was common anywhere if there was places that were dark. Above ground or not.
Before long, the duo came up to a blockage along the path, a wall of black and yellow. Obsidian and yellow concrete. That's a oddly specific pattern and block choice, why was that familiar too?
More importantly, why did the sight of obsidian make his heart pound in his chest? Made a pit in his stomach and his throat tight as if a lump had formed into it? He didn't know why and he couldn't remember why.
It was only when he was nudged by Tommy did he snap out of his trance with the wall, turning to the blond as he rolled his eyes and took his steps to the wall to get himself over it and into the small enclosure. Quickly following after him, looking around the small space. Taking notice of the cliff side view and the hill home as well as the tower on the other end of the space.
His eyes landed on a jukebox, going over to it and pressing down lid of it, inside seeing a disc.
'Cat'
That was the title on the disc, a small smile came onto his face as he moved the needle onto the disc letting it play.
"Cat.. That's a nice tune"
Dream muttered to himself, gently nodding his head to the music and humming along-
"Ay! Ay! No, get away from there!"
The yell caused Dream to listen without question, stepping away from the jukebox and snapping his head to Tommy with wide eyes. In shock at the sudden shift in atmosphere as the older teen ran over, quickly snatching the disc from the jukebox and throwing it into an end chest before glaring at him.
Protective.
Protective of a disc..
Was it important? Maybe it was, he used it without asking and that was on him.
"S-sorry! Sorry, I didn't realise it was important to you.." Dream apologised, looking down with a small look of shame.
Tommy was silent for a moment, scanning over Dream before letting out a sigh and speaking after: "Its.. fine, I'm just.. protective of it, ask me next time big man and I'll put it on"
Lifting his head to Tommy, he gave a nod and then a smile.
So it was important. Lesson learned.
"So.. Where are we?" Dream asked, tilting his head in curiosity as he looked around. Eyes dancing along the space as if looking at all the details- other than the walls surrounding the space, it was quite homely.
"Er.. My place.. Not much but eh"
Tommy shrugged, glancing between Dream and the jukebox before turning to the hill home, walking towards it, calling Dream to follow who hurried over to join him inside of the small hill home. Stepping inside and looking around the small space, seeing the collection of chests at the back, the comfy bed over in the corner that had layers of blankets and pillows that surrounded and then in another corner, a pen of sorts for a spider that was inside. The giant kind of spider. The ones that attacked like other monsters at night..
A strange pet to have but he didn't judge. Tommy always seemed to have a way with animals, having a natural adoration for them and quick to get attached and love them.
He vaguely remembered him doing that a lot.
"Is that your pet?"
"Huh?" Tommy turned his attention to where Dream was looking, "Oh! Yeah, that's er.. That's Shroud, he's a bit more aggressive at night but he's well behaved during the day.." He started before adding: "..Really affectionate too but I have to keep him in there at night so he doesn't hurt anyone"
An affectionate spider? That was unheard of to him but if Tommy said so then he'd believe it. Maybe he'd get to see in the morning..
"Er.. " A mutter came from Tommy, stepping over to the chests and searching through them, mumbling to himself as he seemed to grab some materials and step over to the crafting table.
Unsure of what Tommy was doing, Dream decided to go on over to the pen of Shroud's. Watching the spider with wonder as Shroud seemed to crawl around the pen, seeing him working on a new web and the occasional hiss coming from the creature. A gentle smile spread on his face watching Shroud, a sense of endearment filled his chest.
Finding it cute that Tommy would find the time and energy to care for such a creature, that he'd look to have such a different pet compared to everyone else who had cats, dogs, parrots or even horses.
He had a horse.. and a cat.. whatever happened to them?
"Dream"
Tommy's voice caught his attention, making him turn to the teen and seeing he had set up a bed. A simple white bed with a few blankets and pillows, it looked so much comfier than the snow did, much warmer looking too.
"That for me?"
Dream wandered over, looking at the bed as Tommy gave a small nod. Almost looking like he was considering if he regretted his recent decisions or not while trying not to let it get to him.
A small plop from Dream came as he let himself fall onto the bed, the mattress making him bounce a little before lying down completely, seeming to let himself sink into the covers and pillow with a wide smile plastered on his face.
Something made him miss this comfort.
"So much better than the snow.. Snow looks soft but man it isn't as good as this" Dream let out a soft chuckle, nuzzling into the covers.
"Yeah well er.. You can.. live here for now.. I guess" There was a hesitance to Tommy's voice but he didn't take it back either. That confliction never went away, not that Dream had noticed. He kept noticing it but didn't have the heart to speak on it, not wanting to push it with Tommy.
Like if he made one wrong move then Tommy wouldn't react well to it and have a meltdown of some kind..
At least that's what he was getting from this.
A yawn soon came from Dream, covering his mouth in politeness to avoid spreading the yawn however, yawning was awfully contagious causing the blond devil to yawn as well and make him groan from annoyance.
"Making me tired here big man.."
"Sorry Tommy.. Can't help it, I'm.. comfy" Another yawn coming from Dream, exhaustion seeming to hit him rather hard as he shuffles himself to get under the covers and blankets, his long hair pooling around his head in a fluffy and knotted mess.
Brushing his hair sounded really nice..
"You.. should get some sleep.. You look really tired" Tommy pointed out, stepping away from the bed as Dream got himself settled and wrapped up, curling up slightly; pulling a pillow closer to him and hugging onto it sleepily with no shame or embarrassment to be seen. Too tired to really think about it, his eyes droopy and heavy. On the verge of falling shut.
"Mmm.. Okay.. Goodnight Tommy.. " Dream let out one more yawn, slowly turning to the teen as he gave a sleepy smile "Thank you.. for letting me.. Stay" His words seemed to slur ever so slightly as he began to drift off, laying his head completely on his pillow and his eyes finally sealing shut.
Letting himself drift off to sleep leaving Tommy standing where he was yet he could just about focus on the sounds of shuffling that got quieter the further away it got from him..
Until silence as he let sleep finally take him.
What will the morning bring?