Chapter Text
After the plan had been put in place, the two boys split up, one going in the front entrance of the fast-food place and the other running for the back.
He knelt down behind one of the dumpsters and pulled his red hood over his head, it wouldn’t do much but oh well, it was dramatic at least. He looked over at the back door that he knew led to the kitchen and waited for someone to open it.
Soon, they did. A worker wearing an apron hurried out with a trash bag and then hurried in again. Perfect.
The boy sneaked over to the door as fast, yet quietly as he could, and knelt there instead, placing a foot between the door to prevent it from closing but leaving a small crack for him to look through.
He took a look inside, spotting the chefs that were running around in steady paces and cooking piles of food. From where he was, he could see a few of the customers on the other side of the desk in the far end.
He waited for a small while, careful not to gain any attention but luckily, the workers had their minds busy yelling at each other to hurry up. A busy day, he guessed. That was a good sign.
He spotted the other boy, the purple hoodie made it easy, and their eyes met. He nodded and the other did the same, sending him a small wink.
There sounded a high-pitched screamish yelp along with a loud crack, then it was quiet until the people, customers and workers, buzzed up about the passed-out boy in there.
The boy at the back took a deep breath before he opened the door more and sneaked in, steady and fast in his moves but quiet. No one noticed as he grabbed two paper bags and started tossing food into them, not caring what he got as far as it was edible.
Everyone was standing in a crowd in the front, hovering over the boy that laid on the ground, unknowing of what was currently going on.
The boy grabbed burgers, fries, and everything else he could reach and poured it into the bags before paying the dramatic scene a last glance and then he was out the back door again, bags of stolen food grasped in his hands. A smirk grew wide upon his face as he ran over the street and then waited for his associate.
The warm smell of the stolen fast food made his stomach growl but he ignored it the best he could, knowing he should wait.
It was a successful heist as he used to call it and there was at least enough food for a couple of days.
He didn’t have to wait long before the other boy came running out from the fast-food place and over the street, a similar grin on his face.
“Fuck, how much did you get?” He asked as they started walking at a steady pace, both of their hoods still pulled up over their heads.
“Two bags, not bad am I right?” The red-hooded boy said as he puffed out his chest, making his friend laugh.
“No, not bad, Tommy.” The friend said in a teasing tone and Tommy sent him a look for using his name.
“We’ve talked about this! No use of names when we do this, it could get us in trouble, Big Man.” He grumbled but the other just rolled his eyes.
They soon enough slowed down to a more comfortable pace and pulled down their hoods. Tommy knew that he wasn’t supposed to do stuff like this but he and his friends hadn’t had at least decent food for three days, and if it were for the safety of his roommates, he would steal the most priced treasure from the most dangerous creatures.
His roommates, though, didn’t like the thought of stealing so he had had to come up with a plan for that. Luckily for him, he found someone just as interested in stolen goods and they figured that two forces were stronger than one. It was very much true. If Tommy had to do this alone, he would be behind bars by now.
“Alright, let me see.” His friend said when they had stopped in their usual alley.
“Fine. Geez, ur greedy, Purpled.” Tommy snorted but handed one of the bags to his friend.
He was pretty sure that his real name wasn’t Purpled but it didn’t matter. Fake names kept people safe in this smug town and almost everyone knew that. Tommy knew it as well and everyone he knew also had a fake name they normally used. It was just how it worked.
The boys sat down on the cold pavement, staying clear of any puddles, and started sharing the food fairly between them. Both had three stomachs to fill so it was only fair that they got half of it each.
“You did really well, they looked absolutely terrified when you fell over,” Tommy said as they went through the greasy food that had started to get cold.
“Yeah, you too. This was a really good one.” Purbled said in agreement, eyes fixed on the food like it was diamonds. Tommy, of course, needed the food just as much but he couldn’t make himself worry like the other boy as he looked back and forth through the alley.
They never knew if it was safe or not. It was past noon and shadows had started to stretch out on the streets, covering them in danger. In everyone’s imagination, the boy’s biggest problem could be a drunk that wanted to mock them. It could be the police who had caught up to them. But no. In their world, dark creatures who ruled the night and would start appearing already now, in the dim alleyways.
Ghouls and Zombieswere the most common but once in a while there could be more dangerous things lurking amongst the shadows and even though Tommy wasn’t afraid, he was still cautious. He had luckily never had a too close run-in with any of the monsters and he suspected it was because of Dream. A good friend of his that also was the best hunter in all of L’Manberg, hell, if not the whole world.
Tommy froze as a realization hit him.
“Oh fuck.” He thought aloud and Purpled perked his head up, looking around for dangers but then looked at Tommy with questioning eyes since there were none.
“What’s up, Big Man?” He asked as Tommy remained silent.
“I totally forgot. Dream’s waiting for me- I- I need to go.” He bent down and grabbed his fair share of the food before shoving it into his backpack and started to pace down towards the street. “Tell Quackity I said hi! See ya!” He shouted as he started to run. He heard a shout after him but kept going.
He ran down the streets, wondering how he forgot? It was Friday. Friday was the day where he and Dream always met at four and spent time together. He looked at his watch, the small crack in the glass had stopped bothering him a long time ago. 3.53 PM it said and he sped up, running with what he imagined could be inhuman speed.
Dream was waiting for him a couple of blocks away and even though he knew it was dangerous, he turned down an alley, taking a shortcut.
He crawled over dumpsters, jumped over plank works, and turned corners so sharp that he could have risked falling. It didn’t matter, he had to hurry.
He knew L'Manberg’s maze of dark alleys like his own pockets and knew exactly where to turn and where not to go near. He soon reached his destination and bent over, leaning on his knees and panting. Normally, Dream would be waiting across the street but no one was there.
Tommy straightened up and looked at his watch again. 4.01 PM it said and he cursed internally, looking down both sides of the street. Their normal deal was four on the dot but Dream wasn’t even there.
He could feel himself getting a bit more anxious as he kept looking down the empty street, the only light being the dim street lights. He panted as he tried to get his breathing under control.
“What did I tell you about taking the alleys?” A voice said from behind him and he yelped, jumping forward while spinning in the air to face whoever had sneaked up on him. He curled his hands into fists per instinct before he recognized the lime green hoodie and the white smiley mask.
Dream stood in front of him, arms crossed like a parent would when scolding their kid.
“The fuck, Dream! You can’t just go around and startle people like that!” Tommy all but shouted, putting his arms up in the air and pointing an accusing finger at Dream’s smiley mask that held no expression.
Tommy honestly wasn’t sure why he always wore that creepy thing but sometimes he would take it off when they hung out together.
“You shouldn’t take the alleys-” Dream started.
“Because it isn’t safe, yeah yeah, dad .” He spat the last word as an insult and they were both quiet for a moment, Tommy scowling and Dream showing nothing through the mask.
That was until neither of them could keep it up anymore and they both broke out laughing. Or well, Tommy was laughing, Dream was wheezing like a teapot of boiling water. Tommy didn’t care though, to him it was a familiar sound of safety.
He lunged at Dream and got embraced by the hideous but soft hoodie he was wearing. It was warm and safe and Tommy wanted to stay like that for hours, glued to Dream's chest.
They soon started walking though, down the streets while talking and laughing. Dream had pulled his mask aside at some point, revealing his freckled cheeks and eyes as green as the hoodie. A scar ran from his eyebrow, down over his nose, and to his lip. In the beginning, Tommy had asked about it but Dream had merely shrugged and said that he did dangerous things.
Tommy of course knew this. Dream was a hunter, hunting down and killing monsters almost every night, no shit that he had scars. Tommy wanted to be a hunter like Dream, to help make the town a little safer each night but oh no, the older of course insisted on him
‘growing up’ first.
“Tommy, you stink like you’ve bathed in french fries.” Dream pointed out and Tommy pursed his lips, gluing his eyes on the cracked pavement. Dream looked at him and he wished that he was better at putting up poker faces.
“What? Did you use all your money on fast food or something?” Dream joked and Tommy scowled up at him.
“No, of course not, dumbass. Who in their right minds uses their money on that shit?” He joked back but Dream's expression told him that he would have had better luck if he had just said yes.
“So you stole again?” Dream stated more than asked and finally took his eyes off of Tommy, much to the younger's relief. That was until he sighed, clearly disappointed or something, and Tommy shrunk in on himself. “Toms, it's not alright. You shouldn't be stealing.” Dream started his lecture but the teen really wasn't in the mood for it and tried to joke around it instead.
“Or what? Will The Angel of Death come and take me?” He asked jokingly but Dream just clenched his jaw shut and Tommy could sense a small wave of anger from him.
The Angel of Death was a very infamous and powerful Vampire that was discussed if he were just a rumor or not. He was L’Manbergs Boogeyman. The one who hid under the beds and found a place in the ghost stories of Halloween. The one that mothers told their children about to keep them in line. When people disappeared tracelessly they said it was him or when bodies were found stacked on the streets without explanation (which unfortunately happened), then it was The Angel of Death who did it. There were many tales about the winged vampire but Tommy honesty was pretty sure that they just were tales and nothing more.
“Tommy, don't joke around with that.” Dream said, his voice was cold and laced with something that Tommy had rarely heard before. He looked curiously at Dream but for once, his face showed nothing.
“Why? He isn't real anyway.” Tommy said but Dream's glare gave him a small creepy feeling that he was wrong. “Is he?” He then asked, trying not to sound scared.
“I’m not sure.” Dream said but Tommy suspected the lie. “But I can tell you one thing. Some things are not to be messed with and The Angel of Death, real or not, is one of them.” Dream's tone was deadly serious and Tommy nodded, hardly daring to do anything else.
His face remained cold for a few moments before softening up again.
“Also, Toms, I've told you that if you need money, you just have to ask.” He then said with a concerned but warm voice, not leaving any coldness or trace of their conversation at all.
Tommy was about to argue but Dream stopped and put a hand on his shoulder, shutting him up.
“I know that you and your friends want to be independent and I respect that. But Tommy, if you need food or money or another place to stay then please come to me.” Dream said, his eyes were washed over with too many emotions for Tommy to read so he just settled with a shrug.
“We’re doing fine, Dream, really. Besides, I'm not a charity case, you don't need to help me.” He said but didn't put any harshness behind it like he normally would. Dream's hand was warm and comforting on his shoulder but it let go, way too soon according to him.
Dream looked like he was gonna say more but Tommy stopped him, not wanting to talk about the subject.
“Also, George doesn't like Tubbo and Ranboo can't take Sapnap’s usual behavior. Them living together would be absolute chaos.” He joked and Dream laughed, nodding in agreement.
Dream lived together with his two roommates, same as Tommy did, but they were all three hunters and adults, unlike Tommy and his friends.
They also wanted to be hunters of course. They wanted to join the association but Dream always told them no and they somehow believed that he could stop them.
Around an hour passed as they walked to Tommy's apartment complex, laughing and joking and just having a great time.
“Dream?” Tommy asked after a moment of silence, seriousness in his voice.
“Hm?” Dream hummed but didn't look at him. They both hated eye contact and it was just an unspoken deal that when they talked, they wouldn't stare.
“Why won't you let me become a hunter? I wanna help protect the city.” Tommy said but Dream snorted at the question, having answered it so many times before.
“Because you're basically a kid, Toms. You're definitely too young.” He said in a somewhat teasing voice as if not knowing that Tommy was serious.
“I’ll let you know that I'm the famous big man, Tommy Danger Kraken Innit, loved by all of my many wives and feared by all monsters!” Tommy all but shouted, raising his arms in a defensive position and a wide grin on his face. “And you joined the association when you were my age!” He then turned to argue.
“And I shouldn't have, I was way too young too.” Dream just said.
“That isn't fair! I wanna fight off Ghouls and Zombies and Vampires too!” Tommy rambled, crossing his arms. He did wanna join the association but really, he hoped he would never run into any of the mentioned creatures, especially vampires.
“And maybe you will, one day.” Dream said with an easy shrug. “When you're older, and if you don't manage to die before that.” He joked but Tommy stuck his tongue out at him, offended.
“It's not fair. You and your friends joined at my age and you're the best hunters in L’Manberg.” He complained but Dream fell awkwardly silent. Tommy noticed what he had mentioned and bit down on his lip. Damnit.
“Not all of us made it, Toms.” Dream said, a darkness in his voice though it wasn't anger.
“Sorry.” Tommy muttered, feeling bad for bringing up the sensitive topic. He knew that The Dream Team (Dream and his friends) started as four but now only were three. Karl was killed by the Vampires when they first had joined the association and the others were heartbroken afterward. Rumors had it that the rest of the Dream team spent years hunting down the vampires who did it. Tommy wasn't sure if it was true, never feeling the need to ask, and wasn't planning on it.
“It's fine, Toms. Just please consider the dangers before you throw yourself into them.” Dream lectured before they both got enveloped in unpleasant silence. Tommy thought about the words and guessed Dream was right as always.
“Dream?” Tommy asked again when it became too much and the older hummed again.
“Is it scary fighting monsters?” He asked and Dream looked surprised at him.
“Yeah, sometimes, but you get used to it with the years.” Dream answered as he looked forward again.
“Which is the scariest?” Tommy then asked and went through the ones he knew, trying to remember names.
Dream was quiet for a bit before humming again.
“Vampires, I guess.” He said and Tommy sent him a questioning look. He would have thought of more monstrous things like Werewolves or Giants. Dream caught his eyes and huffed.
“In contrast to most other monsters, Vampires can think, and they’re damn good at it. They are strategic, strong, smart, fast, and cruel. They don't have human emotions, they kill for the fun of it if they're just bored, and they like to make their prey suffer.” Dream said, his voice cold but stern and Tommy got shivers at the thought. He knew that Vampires were somewhat more humans than Ghouls but he hadn't counted on that.
He didn't say anything and once again they fell into an unpleasant silence. Prime, why did this just have to happen the one night they hung out.
The sky got darker and normally, Tommy would worry but he knew he was safe with Dream so it didn't bother him much. Besides, there weren't many of the dangerous monsters in the outskirts of L’Manberg where they lived.
The two soon reached a small uplit playground and sat down on the swings, relaxing and just enjoying each other's company.
“You hungry?” Tommy asked, suddenly remembering that his backpack was full of food for once. Dream looked taken back by the broken silence but smiled and nodded. Tommy pulled two wrapped burgers out of his bag, not caring what kind they were, and gave one to Dream who first looked at it skeptically but then smiled again.
“Captain Puffy’s Diner, huh?” He said as he unwrapped his burger and Tommy nodded enthusiastically. He pulled at the wrapping of his own burger, willing to eat it if he had to. He realized how hungry he really was and soon took a big bite of what appeared to be a cheeseburger.
“Mhmm, ‘ey’re the ‘est.” Tommy said with his mouth full of food and Dream laughed, biting down on his own chicken sandwich.
They ate in silence but it was more comfortable now, the only noise being Tommy's greedy chewing as he gulped down the food hungrily. He didn't even notice when Dream eyed him with concern.
Even if Dream wanted to comment on how skinny Tommy was or how greedily he ate the food, he knew that talking about it would only make the teen annoyed and clamp shut so he tried not to, even when it was hard.
“Prime, you look like you haven't eaten in days, kid.” Dream commented.
Really hard.
Tommy sent a scowl in his direction but it was half-hearted and he slowed down, taking smaller bites and chewing them for a little longer.
“Sorry, you forget manners when you live with two teens.” He said, avoiding the clear question but the unsatisfied look on Dream's face made him glare again.
“Toms, when was the last time you ate a proper meal?” He asked and Tommy paused eating, looking at the burger instead. He could tell that Dream tried hard not to show anger or concern but he really sucked at hiding emotions when he wasn't wearing his mask.
“Like-” He trailed off, thinking about it. He knew he hadn’t eaten for a couple of days (and what he ate didn't count as a proper meal) but if he told Dream, then the older one would just keep insisting on giving him money. “A day.” He lied the best he could and Dream nodded, of course not falling for the lie but he knew not to push it.
Once they had finished, they got up and continued on their walk as they started talking and laughing again.
“I mean it though! I totally think there should be a Pog church! Why is it only Prime churches?!” Tommy said, trying to talk over Dream's wheezing laughter. “We could call it a Pogchamp Temple!” He said but Dream only wheezed harder and Tommy couldn't help but laugh too.
It had felt like forever since they had done this. Last week, Dream was on a mission in midtown and the week before that he had to stay home because Sapnap was injured. It had been far too long and Tommy realized how much he had missed his friend. His older brother.
They stopped outside Tommy's apartment complex and walked inside, up the stairs and into the actual apartment where Tommy was met with a crushing hug.
“You fucking asshole! You have any idea how fucking worried i was?! You gotta stop coming home so late!” Tubbo yelled as he pushed himself away from Tommy. Then his eyes landed on Dream and he looked like he also first then had realized it was Friday. “Oh. Hey Dream.” He said, this time his voice was more pushed down.
“Hey Tubbo.” Dream greeted, leaning in the doorway. He had at some point pulled his mask back into place like he always did when he was with anyone other than Tommy or his own roommates.
Tubbo was pretty small despite him being a year older than Tommy and he had chestnut brown hair with long bangs and dark oak colored eyes that could look rather intimidating when he was angry. A fact (and really good advice) was, don't mess with Tubbo no matter how small he was. He would flip you off and leave you for dead if you did something to really piss him off.
“Is he back?!” Ranboo yelled from the kitchen and Tommy could imagine how worried his more nervous friend must have been.
“Yeah!” Tubbo yelled back as he walked down towards the kitchen.
Tommy sighed fondly at them, a warmth spreading at knowing that his friends, his family, were doing alright. He turned towards Dream who had his smiley mask fixed on him and he wished he could see past it. He couldn't though, but he could see Dream's stance, it was relaxed and friendly.
“Well, i would invite you in but the apartment is a literal mess so it's not gonna happen, sorry Big Man.” He said with a grin and Dream chuckled. It wasn't a total lie but it also wasn't the reason why he didn't want Dream in their apartment.
It was a shithole, literally. The three roommates shared a fucking maddress on the floor of the livingroom (since there were no bedroom) and Dream would just take pity on them if he saw.
“Yeah I get it, kid. I have to go anyway, my patrol starts in 15 minutes.” Dream said with an easy shrug and Tommy scowled a bit at him at the mention of patrol. He still wanted to go on patrols too. It would be so awesome. The great hunter TommyInnit!
Before his thoughts got the better of him, he was pulled into another bearhug and a hand ruffled through his hair. He tried to bat it away but it didn't do anything but make Dream laugh.
“I’ll see you next time, kid.” Dream said as he let him go and stepped back out of the apartment. Tommy normally got offended when people called him a kid but it was Dream's special privilege to use that nickname.
“See ya!” Tommy yelled after Dream as he walked back down the stairs and he closed the door. He clicked the three locks before walking further into their small apartment.
The wallpaper was yellowish and stank from the last owner but they didn't care. There was water, warmth (sometimes), and a roof over their heads so they were fine.
The living room was small and had almost nothing in it. Their maddress was in the corner with the heater and a small, old and creaky couch we're along the opposite wall, a small coffee table just fitting in between them. On the table there was an old laptop that Tubbo used to earn them enough money for the bills and sometimes food. Was it legal? No. Did it matter? Take a guess yourself.
“Tommy, for Primes sake, we were getting worried.” Ranboo said, finally coming out of the kitchen and giving Tommy a comfortable hug which snapped him out of his thoughts.
Ranboo had light chocolate brown hair and one green eye, the other a reddish brown, and then he was freakishly tall and lanky. Like, almost everyone he met he would tower over and Tommy was no exception.
“Calm down Boob boy, I'm fine.” He said with a huff and Ranboo let go, looking skeptical about the nickname. Then he snapped out of it and scrunched his nose.
“Tommy-” He started, looking confused but curious. “What is that smell?” He asked, probably referring to the fast food smell that still came from Tommy's backpack and the blond smiled.
“I brought food!” He chimed as he slipped off his bag and zipped it open, showing the wrapped fast food inside.
Ranboo's eyes were wide as teacups with surprise, then they turned into something concerning and he scratched his neck awkwardly.
“Oh- That's great, that's- um…” He trailed off and Tommy knew that the other hated to ask so instead, Tommy just threw him one of the wrapped up things from the back. A smile touched the taller teens face before he looked concerned again.
“How did you-” He started but Tommy held a finger to his mouth in a hush movement and winked at him. “Oh.” The lanky teen said but didn't say anymore, busying himself with unwrapping the food in his skinny hands. Once he got it open, he immediately started eating just as greedily as Tommy had and the blond had to hold down a sad smile.
He hated that his friends were starving. Himself starving was alright but when it came to his friends, it wasn't alright anymore.
Ranboo perked up all of the sudden, turning his head towards the kitchen. Oh right, Tubbo.
“Bee, come and look what Tommy’s got.” He called, voice low and cautious and as soon as Tubbo came, he began eating again, sitting down on the couch.
Tubbo's eyes went just as wide as Ranboo’s had and he sped up when he noticed the food.
“Oh my Prime.” He gasped as Tommy also handed him a wrapped up something. He looked at it with calculating eyes, then at the bag, then at Tommy, and then it clicked. “You stole again!” He shouted, not paying more attention to the given food.
“You're welcome.” Tommy said with an easy shrug and a teasing grin but it didn't ease his friend at all.
“We’ve discussed this! It isnt fucking safe! You could get caught, you could get arrested! How the fuck would we be able to handle things if-”
“If i weren't around? Aw, Tubbo.” Tommy cut him off with a laugh and the other huffed, scowling and looking like he was gonna argue further. “Look, we haven't gotten any food for days, Tubs, I had to take the chance.” He explained but that didn't help either.
Tubbo rambled on about it not being safe, having totally forgotten about the food in his hand as he paced back and forth, lecturing for deaf ears of the younger teen who had given up on arguing back and found himself just humming.
That was until Ranboo had snug up on Tubbo and pushed a piece of his own burger into the smaller teen’s mouth to make him relax. He looked angry and shocked at first but melted to a grumbling puddle as he began chewing and both Ranboo and Tommy laughed at the sight.
No more was said after that. All three sat down, Tubbo and Ranboo leaning against each other on the couch and Tommy cuddled up in blankets on their maddress, all eating and happy for a while. They ate two burgers each and shared some fries before they stored the rest in their mini fridge.
Tommy hadn't felt that full for a week and yet he was still hungry. It didn't matter though, he had had his part now and if he could get away with it, he wouldn't eat any more of it, leaving the rest to his friends who needed it more.
Ranboo had curled up on the maddress next to Tommy, looking rather tired and Tubbo was typing away on the laptop, earning money.
“Tubbo, come on. It's late and we want to sleep.” Tommy grumbled but Tubbo scowled at him from over the laptop and continued his typing.
“Please Bee, we don't wanna fall asleep without you.” Ranboo tried but Tubbo just snorted and still kept on typing.
Tommy looked to Ranboo and they made eye contact, a wordless conversation starting.
He gestured quietly to Tubbo and made a small movement with his shoulders.
Ranboo looked at Tubbo before turning back to the blond and nodding.
They both got up and walked over on each side of Tubbo who eyed them but no more than that. The boys sat down by his sides and eyed each other before turning their interest to the laptop.
“So, what are you doing anyway?” Tommy asked and Tubbo grumbled a bit. The screen was full of letters and numbers as the smaller Teen was doing his totally (not) legal job.
“‘m trying to get through this firewall so i can get into the-” He rambled on but Tommy didn't pay much attention, only nodding and humming to seem interested but had full focus on the laptop.
Tubbo paused his typing and leaned slightly back, holding a hand to his chin in a thinking way. Tommy saw this as his chance to fulfill their plan and he quickly snatched the laptop, shut it closed and jumped away from the other.
“Oi!” Tubbo shouted as he lunged forwards but Ranboo was quick to do his part and grabbed Tubbo under his armpits, holding him just a few inches over the ground.
They both watched as the smaller teen went numb, a satisfied and tired smile reaching his face. Picking him up like that was how they ‘turned him off’ as they put it. He went completely limb and calm and didn't even speak.
Ranboo let out a sigh of relief but Tommy couldn't help but smile and chuckle at the sight. The lanky teen looked confused at him before he also chuckled softly.
“Alright, bed time, Bee.” He said and Tubbo only groaned in response as Ranboo walked over to their makeshift bed.
Tommy guessed that Tubbo had already fallen asleep, considering that he had eaten, shouted at Tommy, and was tired as fuck so the blond teen put the laptop back down.
Ranboo put down Tubbo and laid down next to him, spooning and covering them in a blanket. Tubbo let out a satisfied groan and Tommy joined them, laying on the other side of Tubbo who, as the clingy shit that he was, immediately hung onto him like a koala. He snorted but it was alright so he didn't argue. He pulled a blanket over himself and soon dozed off to sleep, feeling safe next to his friends.
___
George and Sapnap were walking behind, discussing something that Dream couldn't focus on. His mind had been stuck on Tommy all night long.
He loved the teen like his little brother and it hurt him so much when he saw how skinny he was, or that he needed to steal food so he didn't starve. Dream wanted to give him everything, money, food, hell, he would even pay for a better apartment if that was it but no matter what, that stubborn teen just wouldn't accept his help.
“-eam?” George's voice pulled him out of his thoughts but he didn't turn to his friends.
“Told ya, his sleepwalking again.” Sapnap said and both him and George laughed.
“Very funny.” Dream deadpanned, turning his head slightly towards the two of them, though they just laughed harder.
His friends walked up on each side of him and he looked at both of them, wondering if they were pulling off a trick.
George had messy brown curly hair and was wearing his usual goggles that covered his eyes that Dream thought were beautiful. He wished that George didn’t wear them but he understood why he did. His one eye was a light blue, almost white, and the other was a soft, calming brown. Dream hadn't told him but he loved falling asleep to those eyes.
He turned to Sapnap who had the most mischiefly grin on his face. He had black hair, tied back with a white bandana and dark gray eyes. His left eyebrow was split after a small accident that happened a couple of years ago. He had forgiven Dream but he still felt kinda bad when he looked at it.
They were walking down the streets, doing their patrol and killing whatever monsters they came across but it was a pretty quiet district which gave them time to fool around.
“Is something wrong, Dream?” George asked and Dream sighed. Even when he wore his mask to hide his emotions, his friends could still tell when something was up.
“I'm just worried about Tommy, is all.” He answered and George looked questioning at him.
“Why? Is he okay?” Sapnap broke in, not looking or sounding quite as worried but Tommy was kind of a little brother to all of them so he meant alot.
“I hope so, but I'm not too sure. I don't think he’s getting enough food and that.” Dream explained and he noticed how George's brows scrunched up a bit.
“What about the others?” Sapnap asked and Dream shrugged. Of course he also cared about the two others, they were kids too but Tommy didn't let him get too close to them for some reason. And especially not close enough for him to notice anything odd.
A snarl pulled them out of their conversation and they looked at the four Ghouls ahead, walking in their direction. On one hand, Dream wanted to stab something to get the frustrations out but on the other hand, he didn't wanna deal with monsters at the moment. He didn't have much choice though.
“Best two out of four!” Sapnap Immediately challenged and lunged forward, George close behind. Dream sighed fondly at them before joining them in stabbing and cutting off heads.
He won.
“It's not fair, you killed the one I was going for!” George complained lightheartedly as they had continued on their patrol.
“Mhm.” Dream just hummed, if nothing else then just to tease him. It kinda worked because he huffed and crossed his arms, looking to the side like a stubborn child who couldn't get their favorite icecream flavor.
Dream nudged his shoulder gently but George just huffed again, raising an accusing eyebrow at him. He knew that George couldn't see it but he smiled at him from under his mask anyways.
George eventually warmed up and was soon smiling again, leaving the only problem to be Sapnap, who was holding his war ax awfully deadly and had scowled at Dream the whole time.
Dream tilted his head towards him but it didn't have the same effect at all. Sapnap just snorted and twisted the ax a bit, as if considering to actually cut off Dream's head. Dream, of course, knew that wouldn't happen but a bruise or two was almost inevitable when Sapnap had lost a challenge.
Part of their training when they started at the association was something called Manhunt where one of them would run and try to survive a whole night with almost nothing through the town, and the others were trying to hunt the runner down. Dream often won when he was the runner and Sapnap could be grumpy for a couple of days after, always scowling and looking like he considered murder. Yeah, he was a bad loser but also Dream's friend so it was fine.
At first in Manhunt it was only George, Sapnap and Dream playing it but Dream won more than half of the time and so they started adding more hunters to make it harder. It definitely worked but Dream loved the challenge just as much as his friends and was also just as eager to win, stopping at nothing. He had jumped on rooftops, hid in sewers and almost died to monsters to win. It was really intense but super fun too.
“Goodness, Sapnap, are you really gonna do this every single time, ya grumpy baby?” Dream teased to lighten the mood ad even though that Sapnap just scowled darker, Dream catched the small smile before it disappeared and knew things were alright.
Their patrol went on rather peacefully through the night, nothing but a few packs of Ghouls and Zombies like the usual and else it was just quiet. They luckily had not run into anything like Vampires. Dream knew that he could take out a Vampire if he had to but there still was a small tug of fear for them inside of him, one that he tried to suppress but could always feel.